Getting Started: Cubicore Gateway Series

Applicable models

Applicable to the Cubicore Gateway Hub and Cubicore Gateway Pocket — dual-channel LoRaWAN-compatible gateways for Philippine deployments.

Product status

Confirm the current product status and supported features in the applicable product documentation before deploying in production.

Overview

The Cubicore Gateway Series consists of the pre-configured, dual-channel LoRaWAN-compatible Gateway Hub and Gateway Pocket. It connects to a Wi-Fi access point and forwards LoRaWAN traffic to a LoRaWAN network server.

Both gateway models contain the same two independently provisioned channel devices and share the same internal provisioning hardware, including the screw-secured top button cover. During the initial setup, configure both devices using the ESP BLE Provisioning application. After both channels are connected to Wi-Fi, the gateway is ready to forward LoRaWAN traffic.

For the recommended Philippine configuration, use AS923 Group 3 with the default channels, SF10 / BW125, disabled dwell time, and ADR disabled. These settings are consistent with Cubicore's recommended Gateway Pocket configuration.

The two models in the Cubicore Gateway Series — the Gateway Hub and the Gateway Pocket.

Before you begin

Prepare the following:

Requirement	Details
Gateway	Cubicore Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket
Smartphone	Android or iOS device with Bluetooth enabled
Provisioning app	ESP BLE Provisioning from Google Play or the Apple App Store
Wi-Fi	The network that the gateway will use for Internet access
Wi-Fi credentials	Network name and password
Gateway identifiers	The two Gateway EUIs printed on the box label or supplied with the product
Provisioning PIN	abcd1234

Provision both channels

Keep the smartphone close to the gateway during Bluetooth provisioning. The two BLE devices correspond to the selected gateway's two channels, so both must be provisioned.

Initial Wi-Fi setup

1. Power on the gateway

Connect power to the Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket. Out of the box, the gateway is already in Bluetooth pairing mode.

Connect power to the gateway — out of the box it is already in Bluetooth pairing mode.

2. Open the provisioning app

Open ESP BLE Provisioning, then tap:

1. Provision New Device
2. I don't have a QR code

The application will scan for nearby BLE devices.

Open ESP BLE Provisioning, tap Provision New Device, then choose I don't have a QR code.

3. Filter for the gateway devices

Change the BLE device-name prefix to:

LRHB_

Two devices should appear. They match the two Gateway EUIs associated with the Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket.

Select the first device for the first provisioning cycle.

Filter the device list to the LRHB_ prefix, then select the first device for the first provisioning cycle.

4. Enter the proof-of-possession PIN

When prompted for the proof-of-possession PIN, enter:

abcd1234

Tap Next.

Security note

This PIN is shown in the supplied quick-start material. Treat it as a device setup credential and do not share it outside the authorized installation team.

5. Select the Wi-Fi network

Select the Wi-Fi network that the Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket should use. Enter the network password, then tap Provision.

The app will show progress while it:

• Sends the Wi-Fi credentials
• Confirms the Wi-Fi connection
• Provisions the selected channel

When the app reports that the device was successfully provisioned, tap OK.

Enter the Wi-Fi network credentials and tap Provision — the app confirms the Wi-Fi connection and reports success.

6. Provision the second channel

Repeat the previous provisioning process for the second BLE device:

1. Return to the BLE device list.
2. Keep the prefix set to LRHB_.
3. Select the second device.
4. Enter abcd1234.
5. Tap Next.
6. Select the Wi-Fi network.
7. Enter the Wi-Fi password.
8. Tap Provision.
9. Wait for the success message.
10. Tap OK.

Why this is required

Both Gateway Series models are dual-channel gateways. Provisioning only one BLE device leaves the other channel unconfigured.

Verify the gateway connection

After both channels have been provisioned:

Claim the gateway to see it in your account

To view and manage the gateway from your own The Things Network account, you must first claim it. If the gateway is not claimed to your account, it will not appear in your TTN console even after both channels are provisioned. Start with Set Up and Claim Your Cubicore Gateway, then return here to verify the connection.

1. Leave the gateway powered on for several minutes.
2. Confirm that the selected Wi-Fi network has Internet access.
3. Open the configured LoRaWAN network server.
4. Confirm that the gateway EUI is registered and online.
5. Test the gateway with a compatible LoRaWAN end node.

Confirm the gateway is registered and online in the LoRaWAN network server console.

After the gateway is claimed and both channels are provisioned, the gateway should appear online in your The Things Network account. If the gateway does not appear online, see Troubleshooting.

Changing Wi-Fi networks

Re-provisioning overview

To connect the Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket to a different Wi-Fi network, manually trigger Bluetooth pairing mode for both channel devices. This requires removing the screw-secured top button cover and using the RESET and BOOT buttons inside the enclosure.

Power safety

Disconnect power before opening the Gateway Hub or Gateway Pocket. Do not work inside the enclosure while it is powered.

1. Remove the top button cover

1. Disconnect the gateway from power.
2. Remove the screw or screws securing the top button cover.
3. Carefully open or remove the top button cover.
4. Locate the two sets of RESET and BOOT buttons.

Screw count

The number of screws securing the top button cover depends on the model:

• Cubicore Gateway Pocket: one screw
• Cubicore Gateway Hub: two screws

Locate the screw or screws on the top button cover — two on the Gateway Hub, one on the Gateway Pocket.

2. Trigger pairing mode for channel one

On the first button set:

1. Press RESET.
2. Immediately press BOOT.
3. Press BOOT within approximately five seconds after pressing RESET.

On the first channel set, press RESET and then BOOT to trigger pairing mode.

3. Trigger pairing mode for channel two

Repeat the same sequence on the second button set:

1. Press RESET on the second set.
2. Immediately press BOOT on the same set.
3. Press BOOT within approximately five seconds after pressing RESET.

Button identification

Make sure RESET and BOOT come from the same channel section. Do not combine RESET from one set with BOOT from the other.

Repeat the RESET then BOOT sequence on the second channel set to trigger its pairing mode.

4. Provision the new network

Open the ESP BLE Provisioning app and repeat the initial Wi-Fi setup for both LRHB_ devices.

For each channel:

• Select the device
• Enter the proof-of-possession PIN
• Select the new Wi-Fi network
• Enter the new password
• Tap Provision
• Wait for the successful-provisioning message

After both channels have been re-provisioned, replace the top button cover and reinstall the screw or screws (one for the Gateway Pocket, two for the Gateway Hub), reconnect power, and verify that the gateway returns online.

Recommended LoRaWAN configuration

The following values are recommended for Philippine / NTC-compliant deployments.

Network-server settings

Setting	Recommended value
Frequency plan	Asia 920–923 MHz (AS923 Group 3)
LoRaWAN version	1.0.4
Regional parameters	RP002 1.0.2
Gateway setting	Disable Enforce duty cycle
Dwell time	Disabled
LNS address	au1.cloud.thethings.network
Packet-forwarder port	1700
SNTP server	ntp.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

Gateway channel settings

Channel	Frequency	Modulation reference
Channel 1	916.6 MHz	SF10 / BW125
Channel 2	916.8 MHz	SF10 / BW125

End-node settings

Configure compatible sensors and end nodes as follows:

Setting	Recommended value
Region	Asia 920–923 MHz (AS923 Group 3)
Channels	Default channels only
Enabled frequencies	916.6 MHz and 916.8 MHz
Data rate	DR2
Spreading factor	SF10
Bandwidth	125 kHz
ADR	Disabled / OFF
Dwell time	Disabled

Compatibility requirement

The gateway and end nodes must use compatible regional parameters, channels, data rate, bandwidth, ADR, and dwell-time settings. A node configured for another region or channel plan may fail to join or communicate reliably.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Recommended action
No BLE devices appear	Confirm Bluetooth is enabled, move closer to the gateway, power-cycle the gateway, and scan again.
Only one LRHB_ device appears	Confirm that both channel button sets were placed in pairing mode, especially during re-provisioning.
PIN is rejected	Confirm that the PIN is entered exactly as abcd1234, using lowercase letters and no spaces.
Provisioning fails	Confirm the Wi-Fi password, verify that the network is available, and repeat the procedure for that channel.
Gateway is not online	Check gateway power, Wi-Fi Internet access, gateway registration, and network-server settings.
End node cannot join	Confirm AS923 Group 3, default channels only, 916.6 / 916.8 MHz, SF10 / BW125, ADR disabled, and dwell time disabled.
Gateway works on one channel only	Re-provision the missing channel and confirm that both gateway EUIs are registered correctly.