Triple Threat in IoT Connectivity: Unveiling the RAKwireless RAK11160 Dual-Core Module

RAKwireless, a prominent name in the LoRaWAN and IoT space, has yet again demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the recent launch of the RAK11160 WisDuo Module. This groundbreaking dual-core module, which has been making waves across tech news outlets including Circuit Digest and Hackster.io, redefines versatility and power efficiency for a wide array of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Introduced with significant fanfare around June 2025, the RAK11160 stands out by seamlessly integrating three fundamental wireless technologies: LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), all within a remarkably compact footprint.

The RAK11160 is designed to address the growing demand for IoT solutions that require both long-range, low-power communication (LoRaWAN) and higher-bandwidth, short-range capabilities (Wi-Fi and BLE). Unlike single-chip solutions that might compromise on one aspect, RAKwireless has engineered a sophisticated dual-chip architecture to optimize performance and power consumption. At its core, the RAK11160 features an STMicroelectronics STM32WLE5 microcontroller for the LoRaWAN functionalities, paired with an Espressif ESP32-C2 (ESP8684) co-processor dedicated to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This strategic partitioning allows for highly efficient power management, a crucial factor for battery-powered IoT devices. The STM32WLE5, with its integrated LoRa transceiver, can intelligently control the power state of the ESP32-C2, enabling it to fully power down when Wi-Fi or BLE communication is not actively required, thus achieving ultra-low sleep currents as low as ~5 µA.

Let’s delve into the specific capabilities that make the RAK11160 such a compelling solution. The STM32WLE5, serving as the LoRaWAN engine, boasts an ARM 32-bit Cortex-M4 CPU with 256 KB of Flash memory and 64 KB of SRAM. It is fully compliant with the LoRaWAN 1.0.4 specification, supporting Class A, B, and C devices, and also facilitates LoRa Point-to-Point (P2P) communication for custom, short-range LoRa networks. Its robust LoRa transceiver offers a programmable transmitter output power of up to +22 dBm, enabling impressive communication ranges of over 10 km with an optimized antenna. The integrated TCXO (Temperature-Compensated Crystal Oscillator) ensures stable communication even across a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The module supports a comprehensive array of LoRaWAN regional bands, including EU433, CN470, IN865, EU868, AU915, US915, KR920, RU864, and AS923-1/2/3/4, making it globally adaptable.

Complementing the LoRaWAN capabilities, the Espressif ESP32-C2 (ESP8684) acts as the dedicated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modem. This co-processor features a single-core RISC-V CPU, operating at up to 120 MHz, alongside 2 MB of Flash memory and 272 KB of SRAM. It delivers Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connectivity, supporting 20 MHz bandwidth in the 2.4 GHz band with 1T1R mode for data rates up to 72.2 Mbps. For short-range wireless communication, the ESP32-C2 provides Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) support, including high-power mode (20 dBm) and various speeds (125 Kbps, 500 Kbps, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps). The intelligent power management scheme ensures that the power-hungry Wi-Fi and BLE radios are only active when needed, significantly extending battery life for remote, sensor-driven applications.

The RAK11160 offers flexible development options. By default, it runs on RAKwireless’s RUI3 (RAKwireless Unified Interface) firmware. This proprietary firmware allows for standalone operation, enabling developers to write custom firmware using Arduino-compatible RUI3 APIs. This means that sensors and other external peripherals can be directly interfaced with the RAK11160, often eliminating the need for an additional host MCU. Alternatively, for those preferring a more traditional approach, the module can be controlled by an external host microcontroller via an AT command set over a UART interface, providing commands for both the STM32WLE5 (LoRa and core settings) and the ESP32-C2 (Wi-Fi and BLE settings). This dual-mode operation provides unparalleled flexibility in system design.

Physical specifications further highlight the RAK11160’s suitability for compact IoT devices. Measuring a mere 15 mm × 23 mm × 3 mm, it’s a stamp-pad style module, making it easy to integrate into existing designs or new, miniature products. It operates within a supply voltage range of 1.8 V to 3.6 V. For antenna integration, RAKwireless offers two variants: one with an MHF4 IPEX connector for external antennas, and another with RF pinouts for custom antenna connections, catering to diverse mechanical and RF requirements. A variety of I/O ports are exposed, including UART, I2C, SPI, ADC, and GPIO, providing ample connectivity for sensors, displays, and other peripherals.

The RAK11160 is perfectly poised to empower a new generation of low-power, connected IoT devices across a multitude of sectors. Its unique blend of long-range LoRaWAN and high-speed Wi-Fi/BLE makes it ideal for applications such as:

• Remote Agricultural Monitoring: Battery-powered sensor nodes sending vital data over LoRaWAN, with occasional Wi-Fi/BLE bursts for firmware updates or large data syncs.
• Asset Tracking: Tracking mobile assets over long distances with LoRaWAN, and enabling more precise, short-range localization or data offloading via Wi-Fi/BLE when within range.
• Smart Building Automation: Integrating diverse sensors for environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, air quality) with both long-range and local connectivity options.
• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Deploying sensors in challenging environments that require robust, long-range communication, with the flexibility to connect to local networks or cloud services when needed.
• Smart Home Devices: Devices that need reliable, low-power presence detection (LoRaWAN) but can also connect to a home network for advanced controls or over-the-air updates.
• Mobile LoRa Gateways: Acting as a roving uplink, collecting data from local LoRa sensors and relaying it to the cloud via Wi-Fi or cellular (with an additional modem), powering down the higher-consumption radios when not transmitting.

The release of the RAK11160 underscores RAKwireless’s foresight in designing modular, versatile, and power-efficient solutions for the complex demands of the IoT. By combining the strengths of STM32WL and ESP32-C2 within a single, easy-to-integrate module, RAKwireless has provided developers with a powerful tool to accelerate the creation of innovative, low-power, and highly connected IoT applications, paving the way for more intelligent and efficient sensor networks and connected systems.