Raspberry Pi 3B+ 802.15.4/6LoWPAN Setup

Summary

Information on how to setup a Raspberry Pi 3B+ for 802.15.4 radio/6LoWPAN communication by utilizing an Openlabs 802.15.4 radio module.

This was tested successfully with Raspbian 10 (Buster) and Raspbian 11 (Bullseye). I assume it is also working on the latest Raspbian 12 (Bookworm).

Requirements

• Raspberry Pi 3B+ ([[1]])
• Operating system: Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian)
• Openlabs 802.15.4 radio module: https://openlabs.co/store/Raspberry-Pi-802.15.4-radio

Description

Install Raspbian on Raspberry Pi 3B+

• Use Raspberry Pi Imager
• Optional: Download Raspbian/Raspberry Pi OS from https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/

Preparation of Raspbian

Access the Raspberry Pi by attaching it via HDMI to a monitor. After enabling SSH it is possible to connect via SSH/terminal (default credentials are pi:raspberry).

• (Optionally) Change keyboard setting to "German" and reboot:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

• Activate and start SSH on Raspberry:

sudo systemctl start ssh
sudo systemctl enable ssh

• Upgrade of Raspbian:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Enable support for IEEE 802.15.4/LoWPAN devices

• Plug the OpenLabs 802.15.4 radio module directly onto pins 15-26 of the Raspberry's P1 header (in the middle):

Used Hardware

• Raspberry_Pi_3,_Model_B+,_WLAN,_BT
• https://openlabs.co/store/Raspberry-Pi-802.15.4-radio

Courses

• IT-Security master's programme: Mobile and Embedded Security ILV

References

• https://comatrix.eu/setup/raspberry_pi_setup/
• https://openlabs.co/store/Raspberry-Pi-802.15.4-radio