SN50V3-MS General-Purpose Mesh Node

1. Introduction
1.1 What is the SN50V3-MS General-Purpose Mesh Node?
SN50V3-MS is a Dragino general-purpose Mesh Node for outdoor IoT applications requiring long range, low power consumption, and multi-hop coverage.
The standard SN50V3-MS reports its battery and operating status and is not configured for a specific external sensor. Its hardware provides multiple I/O resources that can be used with model-specific firmware to connect supported sensors or external devices.
1.2 Features
- LoRa Mesh communication with multi-hop relaying between nodes.
- STM32WLE5 low-power wireless MCU.
- S-type outdoor enclosure, solar panel, and 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
- Battery voltage, battery level, and operating-status reporting.
- Digital I/O, UART, I2C, OneWire, and controlled power-output resources.
- Firmware upgrades through USB serial or PC BLE.
- Automatic scheduled reporting followed by low-power sleep.
1.3 Specifications
Common DC characteristics
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main unit operating voltage | Approximately 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Main unit operating temperature | -40 °C to 85 °C; battery operating temperature is subject to the battery specification |
I/O interfaces
| Hardware resource | Description |
|---|---|
| BAT output | Connected directly to the battery; voltage varies with battery condition, approximately 2.6 V to 3.6 V |
| Controlled 5 V output | Provides a controlled power supply for an external sensor |
| Digital I/O | Up to 3 interrupt or digital input/output hardware resources |
| OneWire | Up to 3 OneWire hardware resources |
| UART | 1 external UART hardware resource |
| I2C | 1 external I2C hardware resource |
The I/O resources are multiplexed. Their usable combination depends on the installed firmware and target sensor.
Mesh main unit
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| MCU | STM32WLE5, 48 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Flash | 256 KB |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| Radio | STM32WLE5 integrated sub-GHz LoRa radio |
| Power supply | Solar panel + 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery |
| Local interfaces | 3.3 V UART, BLE |
| Antenna | Sub-GHz LoRa antenna matching the shipping Region |
1.4 Applications
- Remote device access for agriculture, parks, and outdoor facilities.
- Low-power monitoring projects where site power and cabling are difficult.
- Areas requiring relaying through other Mesh Nodes.
- Custom projects using digital inputs, serial interfaces, I2C, or OneWire devices.
- Long-term outdoor deployments requiring solar power.
1.5 Sleep Mode and Working Mode
In the sleep state, the node disables most functions and remains in low-power standby until its next scheduled wake-up or a user action wakes it.
After enrollment, the standard working cycle is:
Reach scheduled time -> Wake up -> Prepare device or supported sensor data
-> Send data to the Mesh gateway
-> Wait for a short communication window -> Sleep
A device with sensor-specific firmware powers, reads, and reports its supported sensor during the active cycle.
1.6 Button Operations and LED Status
Button operations and LED indications are common to Dragino Mesh Nodes. See 3.1 Button Operations and LED Status in the Mesh Quick Start for sleep, wake-up, manual reporting, restart, reset, and firmware-upgrade actions.
1.7 BLE and Local Interfaces
SN50V3-MS provides 3.3 V UART and BLE local interfaces. BLE can be used for normal APP firmware updates from a PC through PC BLE in FirmwareUpdateUtility.
The mobile upgrade workflow is still under development.
1.8 Pin, Enclosure, and Mechanical Reference
The following figures show the LA66S Mesh module pin definitions, solar enclosure dimensions, mounting points, cable outlets, and cable-gland size options used by SN50V3-MS.
Pin definitions

Solar enclosure dimensions and mounting reference

Cable-gland dimensions and size options

1.9 External-Device Compatibility
Wiring an external sensor does not automatically produce sensor data. The installed SN50V3-MS firmware and Mesh gateway must support the target sensor and its fields.
Before connecting an external device, confirm its supply voltage, peak and standby current, polarity, signal levels, wiring, interface requirements, firmware support, and expected gateway fields.
Check the following:
- The external device meets the electrical requirements of the selected interface.
- The installed firmware supports the sensor or device.
- The selected I/O resources are available in that firmware.
- Outdoor wiring has suitable waterproofing and insulation.
- The external device's power consumption is suitable for the site's solar and battery conditions.
1.10 Installation
Use a cable gland that matches the external cable diameter. Keep unused cable openings sealed and install the enclosure with its cable outlets facing downward. Provide a drip loop so water does not run along a cable toward the enclosure.
After wiring an external device, test it above ground. Confirm that the sensor powers correctly, the node remains online, and the expected fields appear on the Mesh gateway before sealing the enclosure and completing the field installation.
2. Use SN50V3-MS with a Mesh Gateway
2.1 How It Works
The node can communicate directly with a Mesh gateway or relay its data through other awake Mesh Nodes.
The standard SN50V3-MS sends:
- Battery level.
- Battery voltage.
- Device online and operating status.
- Data update time.
The standard model has no fixed external-sensor data. When sensor-specific firmware is installed, the node collects and sends the corresponding supported fields.
2.2 Quick Guide to Connect SN50V3-MS to a Mesh Gateway
2.2.1 Preparation
- Confirm that the product label shows
SN50V3-MS. - Install the LoRa antenna before powering or waking the node.
- Place the solar panel where it receives stable, unobstructed sunlight.
- Keep unused cable outlets sealed.
- Place the node near the Mesh gateway for the first network test.
2.2.2 Enrollment and First Report
For the complete gateway and enrollment procedure, see 2. First network test.
- Configure the node and Mesh gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country and confirm that their Region settings match.
- Add the node to the gateway with its Dev EUI and App Key.
- Wake or restart the node so that it sends enrollment requests.
- Confirm that the Mesh gateway lists the node as enrolled.
- Trigger a manual report.
- Confirm that battery voltage, battery level, operating status, and update time appear.
2.2.3 External Sensor and Final Installation
- Complete the compatibility checks in Section 1.9.
- Wire and test the external sensor above ground.
- Confirm that the installed firmware and gateway display the expected sensor fields.
- Seal and mount the enclosure according to Section 1.10.
- Trigger another report and verify the installation.
2.3 Mesh Payload
The Mesh payload specification for this product will be added in a future documentation update.
3. Configure SN50V3-MS
3.1 Configuration Method
Common Mesh configuration is managed through the Mesh gateway. Use the Mesh Quick Start for the current configuration and enrollment workflow.
Product-specific behavior depends on the installed firmware and supported external sensor.
3.2 Region and Radio Preset
New units, factory-reset units, and units whose saved configuration has been cleared start with EU868 and the LONG_FAST modem preset (SF11 / BW 250 kHz).
Before deployment, configure the node and gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country and confirm that their Region settings match.
3.3 Scheduled and Manual Reporting
After enrollment, the node follows the wake-up and reporting schedule provided by the Mesh gateway.
To request an immediate update:
- Wake the node if it is sleeping.
- While it is active, hold the button and release it within 1 to 3 seconds.
- Allow the supported device or sensor operation to finish.
- Confirm that the new data and update time appear on the Mesh gateway.
4. Battery & Power Consumption
Battery performance depends on the reporting interval, Mesh coverage, relay conditions, external-sensor operating and standby current, sunlight, solar-panel orientation, ambient temperature, and battery condition.
Short reporting intervals, long active periods, or high-power external devices increase power consumption. SN50V3-MS uses a solar panel and a 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
Battery Info & Power Consumption Analyze.
5. Firmware Update
Use only APP firmware built for SN50V3-MS, the intended external-sensor support, and the device's shipping Region.
For the firmware preparation and upload procedure, see 2. How to upload the firmware.
The mobile upgrade feature is still under development.
6. FAQ
6.1 Can any external sensor be connected to SN50V3-MS?
No. The sensor must meet the electrical requirements of an available interface, and the installed firmware and Mesh gateway must support that sensor. Complete the checks in Section 1.9 before connecting it.
6.2 Why does the node report battery data but no external-sensor data?
The standard SN50V3-MS is not configured for a specific external sensor. Confirm that the installed firmware supports the connected sensor and that the gateway supports its fields.
6.3 Why does the node reset or become unstable after a sensor is connected?
Disconnect the sensor and check its supply voltage, peak current, polarity, signal levels, wiring, and selected I/O resources before reconnecting it.
6.4 How should an outdoor installation be maintained?
- Inspect the antenna, enclosure mounting, cable glands, wiring, insulation, and drip loop.
- Keep the solar panel clean and unobstructed.
- Check for moisture or corrosion inside the enclosure.
- When replacing an external sensor, repeat the compatibility and above-ground verification before resealing the enclosure.
For enrollment, Region, gateway connectivity, general power, or firmware-update questions, see the general Mesh FAQ.
7. Order Info
Ordering details and Region-specific part numbers for SN50V3-MS will be added when the product options are finalized.
8. Packing Info
Package contents, cable-hole options, dimensions, and weights for SN50V3-MS will be added in a future documentation update.
9. Support
Dragino support is available Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8. When requesting assistance, provide the product model, firmware identification, connected sensor, wiring information, Region, and the steps required to reproduce the problem.
Contact: Support@dragino.cc


