RFM95PW LoRa module (868 MHz): specs and pinout
HopeRF RFM95PW-868S2 (RF96 chip per the maker), a 17-pad SMD LoRa transceiver module with a power amplifier, +27 dBm output in the 868 MHz band.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended supply voltage (VCC pin) | 5.0 to 6.0 V | source Section 6 Electrical Parameter, Recommended working range, p.3 |
| Absolute maximum supply | +6 V (min -0.3 V) | source Section 6 Electrical Parameter, Maximum, p.3 |
| Digital input voltage (absolute max) | -0.3 to 3.3 + 0.3 V | source Section 6 Electrical Parameter, Maximum, p.3 |
| Output power at 868 MHz | +27 dBm typ | source Section 6 Transmitter AC characteristic, p.4; Features, p.1 |
| TX supply current at 868 MHz, +27 dBm | 650 mA typ, 900 mA max | source Section 6 DC characteristic, p.4 |
| RX supply current | 13 mA typ, 15 mA max | source Section 6 DC characteristic, p.4 |
| Sleep current | 5 uA typ, 12 uA max | source Section 6 DC characteristic, p.4 |
| 868 MHz band frequency range | 862 to 888 MHz | source Section 6 Transmitter AC characteristic, p.4 |
| RX sensitivity, LoRa mode | -136 dBm typ (SF12, BW 125 kHz) | source Section 6 Receiver AC characteristic, p.4 |
| Working temperature | -20 to +70 C | source Section 6 Recommended working range, p.3 |
| Interface | SPI (MISO, MOSI, SCK, NSS) plus RESET and DIO0-DIO5 | source Section 4 Pin Definition, p.2 |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | VCC 5.0-6.0 V recommended (abs max +6 V); on-module 3.3 V output on pin 9 for the MCU | source Section 6, p.3-4 |
| Current | TX 650 mA typ / 900 mA max (868 MHz, +27 dBm); RX 13 mA typ; sleep 5 uA typ | source Section 6, p.3-4 |
Pinout
Pin table is from the HopeRF RFM98P/RFM95P Rev 1.2 specification, which covers the P family; RFM95P-868S2 is its 868 MHz part. The listing says RFM95PW-868S2 and the maker's RFM95PW product page links to this document. Supply and logic limits above are module-level, from that document. Pin 9 (3.3V) is an output for the MCU: never feed it from another supply. Join the grounds of the 5 V supply, the module and the board.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANT | Type AI/AO. RF signal input/output. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 2 | GND | Type G. Power ground. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 3 | DIO3 | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 4 | DIO4 | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 5 | VCC | Type PI. Positive power supply, 5.0-6.4 V. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 6 | DIO0 | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 7 | DIO1/DCLK | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 8 | DIO2/DATA | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 9 | 3.3V | Type O. 3.3 V voltage output. For MCU VCC. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 10 | MISO | Type O. SPI data output. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 11 | MOSI | Type I. SPI data input. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 12 | SCK | Type I. SPI clock input. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 13 | NSS | Type I. SPI chip select input. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 14 | RESET | Type I/O. Reset trigger input. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 15 | DIO5 | Type I/O. Digital I/O, software configured. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 16 | GND | Type G. Power ground. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 | |
| 17 | GND | Type G. Power ground; this area is connected to the GND network of the main board for heat radiation. | source Section 4 Pin Definition, Figure 1 and table, p.2 |
Build with it
Project ideas for the RFM95PW LoRa module (868 MHz). Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Long-range temperature node: Learning project. The module needs its own regulated 5 V supply rated above 900 mA; the ESP32 SPI pins are 3.3 V logic as the module requires.
- LoRa receiver with OLED: The ESP32 reads packets over SPI and prints them; the module is fed from a separate 5 V supply.
- Soil moisture reporter: Learning project. The ESP32 ADC reads the analog probe; give the module a 5 V rail that can supply the transmit peaks.
- Two-board LoRa ping test: Each board needs a module on the same band (868 MHz variant) and an antenna fitted before transmitting.
Common mistakes
- Powering the VCC pin from 3.3 V: the recommended supply is 5.0-6.0 V and the absolute maximum is +6 V, so use a regulated 5 V rail. (source: link, Section 6, p.3)
- Driving the SPI pins with 5 V logic: digital inputs are rated to 3.3 + 0.3 V maximum, so a 5 V Arduino needs level shifting. (source: link, Section 6, p.3)
- Using a weak supply: transmit current is typically 650 mA and up to 900 mA at +27 dBm, against 13 mA in receive. (source: link, Section 6 DC characteristic, p.4)
Not covered by the official source
- The sheet is titled RFM98P/RFM95P (P family); the product is named RFM95PW. The maker's RFM95PW product page links to this sheet.
- The sheet gives VCC as 5.0-6.4 V in the pin table but 5.0-6.0 V recommended and +6 V absolute maximum in the electrical table; this page uses 5.0-6.0 V.
- Whether the Compoden product is the bare module or on a breakout is not covered.