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Sending a test downlink frame

You can send a downlink frame to the device in two different ways:

  • From the Device details' panel

  • From the Device table

Note This functionality is active only when a connection is associated to the device.

  1. In the Device Information frame that opens, click Send Downlink.

    A Send Downlink box opens where you are asked to enter the payload and the target LoRaWAN® port number.

    1. Enter the desired Payload (FRMPayload in LoRaWAN® specification) that you want to send to the device in a downlink packet, in hexadecimal format. The maximum size is 242 bytes: a hexadecimal digit (0 to 9, and A to F) with a multiple of 2 number of digits, up to a maximal length of 484 digits

    2. Enter the LoRaWAN® Port. This corresponds to the FPort in LoRaWAN® specification, associated with the payload, with an integer value between 1 and 223.

    3. The Network Server will always transmit a "confirmed" downlink data frame towards the device. Upon the reception of this data frame, requiring an acknowledgment, the device transmits a frame with the acknowledgment (LoRaWAN® ACK bit set) at its own discretion (depends on attribute such as LoRaWAN® device class type and connection). Once submitted and received, these messages can be viewed in the device 'Last 10 packets' table.

  2. Click Validate.

The data payload is added to the device downlink queue. The effective transmission of the data payload in a downlink packet is scheduled according to the device class and radio conditions. There may be a long latency for class A device, as downlinks may be sent only after an uplink received from the device. Some devices provide means to force an uplink transmission, refer to your device documentation.

After successful sending or abort of the downlink packet containing the data payload, the downlink packet is visible in the list of recent packets transmitted to the device.

-> A confirmation notification displays on your screen.