Sad to see that the PyCom GPy is no longer available? Well, ipXchange has found something even better that’s pin and software compatible! Introducing DPTechnics’ Walter.
In an exciting ipXperience where we definitely go down a few interesting rabbit holes, Eamon chats with Daan from DPTechnics, and exciting company that is helping IoT product designers streamline hardware, software, and cloud infrastructure development for faster time to market.
Best of all, Daan and his team have created a pin-compatible alternative to the now out-of-production PyCom GPy wireless module. But Walter comes with an open-source framework and some serious upgrades…
What is Walter?
Walter is an extremely compact, multi-radio-protocol module – LTE-M/NB-IoT (4G/5G), GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – based on the AI-capable ESP32-S3 SoC (System-on-Chip). As well as providing wireless connectivity, it also can serve as the heart of your system. DPTechnics’ Walter module has many standard peripherals such as UART, I2C, SPI and CAN interfaces. The deep sleep current draw is also verified at just 9.8 µA, so it’s a great solution for battery-powered IoT applications.
In addition to the strong specs list, DPTechnics’ Walter is fully pre-certified for FCC, CE, UKCA, IC, and RCM, with the radio interoperability already taken into account. This means that you can save a lot of cost and development time in getting your product to market.
Where would you use Walter?
As Daan highlights, Walter solves the problem of the high-volume order requirements typical of most cellular IoT use cases. More accurately, this is a case of sufficient cellular module orders from big manufacturers and the cost of development and certification for multi-radio products. Typically, this has only been economically viable for large-scale IoT use cases like smart tracking and smart metering, for example.
By providing many connectivity options in a single, compact module, DPTechnics enables designers to create smaller-scale cellular IoT use cases without fearing large additional costs. These applications include long-range applications with few sensor nodes, device control in ultra-specific installations like pump control in smart agriculture, and smart road signs.
Why did DPTechnics create Walter?
Originally, DPTechnics used the PyCom GPy modules in projects with its customers. After that part went out of production, DPTechnics developed Walter as an alternative device that was pin and software compatible with the PyCom solution. This was a matter of necessity as nothing on the market could quite do the job.
DPTtechnics has worked hard to ensure that PyCom MicroPython builds run smoothly on Walter – you only need to change some I/O names. Expanding on this, DPTechnics created many software libraries so that you can use your preferred development environment, including Arduino IDE, Espressif’s ESP-IDF. Programming is done simply via the on-board USB-C port. No fuss!
Going down a technical rabbit hole…
Eamon and Daan also discuss the benefits of Espressif’s ESP-NOW proprietary connectivity protocol for ultra-low-latency IoT, and BlueCherry, DPTechnics’ self-built IoT platform. BlueCherry enables fleet management, over-the-air updates, and more starting from a single device and scaling up to thousands in a single fleet.
For Walter, BlueCherry enables application and modem firmware updates as well as protocol conversion. This section of the discussion starts at around the 14-19 minute mark, so enjoy this highly technical bit of the conversation.
Walter was enabled through Crowd Supply!
The first 1000 units of Walter were made possible through crowd funding, and DPTechnics expects to be producing 30,000 Walters per year after this success. Whether you are an ex-PyCom user or someone starting on a new design, DPTechnics’ evaluation kit provides everything you need to get playing with Walter. This includes pre-certified antennas and a tonne of support from the DPTechnics team.
Walter ships with a demo firmware for immediate use as a cellular-connected GNSS tracker. Just turn it on and track yourself in the application.
DPTechnics has a minimum order quantity of just 50 units, so no matter how small your IoT project, you can gain the full benefits of Walter and its fully certified cellular connectivity.
We’ve covered most of the key specs for Walter in this writeup, but if you follow the link to the board page below, we’ll have a link to the datasheet. You can also fill out the form, and ipXchange will get you connected with Daan to learn more about using Walter in your commercial projects.
Keep designing!