OEM LoRa Module Supplier China: SX1262 (868 MHz / 915 MHz)

What This Product Is

A LoRa module is a small radio transceiver that uses Semtech’s LoRa modulation to send low-rate data over kilometer-scale distances with minimal power. The SX1262 is a second-generation Semtech chip that improves receiver sensitivity and transmit efficiency compared with the older SX1276. These modules are embedded into sensors, trackers, utility meters, and agricultural monitors where cellular is too expensive and Wi-Fi does not reach.

Global Frequency Band Compliance: EU, US, and China Regulations

LoRa deployments use different frequency bands depending on region, and each band has separate regulatory requirements. This is one of the most consequential decisions when sourcing IoT modules and wireless transceivers for multi-region deployment:

EU 863–870 MHz (EU868). Governed by ETSI EN 300 220 and ETSI EN 303 446 (LoRaWAN-specific). CE/RED certification is mandatory for sale in EU/EEA markets. Duty cycle restrictions apply: most sub-bands are limited to 1% duty cycle (36 seconds on-air per hour). CE/RED testing must include frequency hopping and power level verification.

US 902–928 MHz (US915). Governed by FCC Part 15.247 (frequency hopping spread spectrum). FCC certification is mandatory. The US915 band allows up to +30 dBm EIRP for certain channel configurations, but most modules are certified to +20 dBm to reduce antenna gain requirements and simplify product integration.

China 470–510 MHz (CN470). SRRC (State Radio Regulation Committee) approval required. Not interoperable with EU868 or US915 networks. If you are designing a product for multiple markets, specify a dual-band or wideband module that covers both 868 and 915 MHz bands — several SX1262-based modules support 150–960 MHz with hardware filtering.

Never assume a CE/RED certified 868 MHz module can be sold in the US as-is, or vice versa. Confirm the specific FCC or CE test report for the exact module variant you are ordering — this is covered in our guide to CE and FCC certification for Chinese electronics.

LoRaWAN Stack Firmware and Integration Options

LoRa (the physical layer modulation) and LoRaWAN (the MAC layer network protocol) are separate. When sourcing modules from a China manufacturer:

Bare SX1262 module (no stack). The module provides only the SX1262 chip with SPI interface. Your MCU must implement the LoRaWAN stack (typically via StackForce LMIC or Semtech LoRaMac-node library). Full control, but requires firmware engineering resources.

Module with integrated MCU + LoRaWAN stack. Modules like the Ebyte E22, RAK4630 (which pairs an nRF52840 BLE module with the SX1262), or HELTEC HT-M01 combine the SX1262 with a host MCU and pre-flashed LoRaWAN stack. AT command interface available. Faster to integrate for LPWAN gateways and IoT networks, but less flexible for custom MAC layer behavior.

Pre-certified module with stack. Murata CMWX1ZZABZ (STM32L082 + SX1276), RAK Wireless RAK3172, and similar modules come with both radio and LoRaWAN certification. These simplify end-product regulatory approval but cost 30–60% more per unit.

Confirm the factory can supply firmware source code or provide a signed firmware update path if you need custom MAC layer modifications. A factory audit should verify their firmware development capabilities.

Rigorous Gateway Integration Testing for LPWAN Deployments

A LoRa end node must be validated against the gateway hardware used in your target deployment to ensure optimal connectivity:

• For The Things Network (TTN) / The Things Industries: test join procedure (OTAA) with a real TTN gateway, verify uplink/downlink at the intended spreading factor
• For private LoRaWAN networks: test against the specific network server (ChirpStack, Actility, Kerlink) your customer uses — ADR (Adaptive Data Rate) behavior varies by server implementation. This level of integration testing is common in industrial IoT hardware sourcing.
• Class A, B, and C timing windows: confirm the module firmware correctly implements the 1-second (RX1) and 2-second (RX2) receive windows per LoRaWAN 1.0.3/1.1 spec

Request factory test fixtures that simulate gateway responses. A module that passes OTA join in a lab environment may fail in field conditions with high network load, interference, or marginal RF signal.

Common Pitfalls When Sourcing LoRa Modules in China

SX1262 vs. SX1276 confusion. SX1262 and SX1276 are not pin-compatible and have different SPI register maps. Confirm which chip generation is in the module — some factory listings label both as “LoRa module” interchangeably. The SX1262 offers better power efficiency and longer range.

Antenna connector reliability. U.FL connectors on LoRa modules used in vibrating industrial environments (machinery, vehicles) can intermittently disconnect. Specify IPEX MHF4 connectors with a locking mechanism or switch to modules with integrated whip or PCB antennas for harsh environments. For a real-world example of LoRa module deployment, see our Amazon Seller IoT Sensor case study.

Typical Specs Buyers Should Confirm

• Frequency band: Order the exact variant for each target market; do not assume wideband modules are certified on all bands.
• TX power and antenna port: +22 dBm is standard for SX1262; confirm the antenna connector and matching network are included.
• SPI clock: Up to 16 MHz is supported; your MCU must be able to drive the bus at the chosen speed.
• Crystal tolerance: ±10 ppm is typical; precision networks need ±5 ppm for downlink timing.
• Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C is standard; automotive or outdoor applications may need -40°C to +105°C.

Common Pitfall: Certifying a Bare Module Instead of the End Product

Many buyers assume that buying a CE or FCC certified module means their final product is automatically certified. End-product certification still requires testing with your enclosure, antenna, power supply, and host MCU. The module certification helps, but it does not replace the final product’s EMC and radio approvals. Budget $3,000–$8,000 and 3–4 weeks for end-product testing in each target market.

Typical Buyer Profile

The typical buyer is an IoT device company, smart-agriculture startup, or utility integrator building battery-powered sensors that report hourly or daily. They need 500–5,000 modules per production run, certification for EU or US markets, and a stable firmware stack. They usually value pre-certified modules with integrated stacks because they reduce time-to-market and regulatory risk.

Action Recommendation

Order evaluation modules for each target band and test them with your target gateway and network server before approving the BOM. Verify that the SX1262 chip is actually on the module, confirm the antenna matching network is populated, and request the CE/RED or FCC test report for the exact variant. If you plan to certify the end product, start the CE and FCC certification process in parallel with pilot production.

Sourcing notes from the floor

We audited module houses in Shenzhen Nanshan for RF bench calibration and shielded test rooms. On the floor at the factory, we recently saw SX1276 modules labeled as SX1262; the SPI register map differs, so firmware written for SX1262 failed to join the network. In a real project, our client had to scrap a pilot run because the RF matching network was band-specific and could not switch from EU868 to US915. Real-world MOQ is often 500–1,000 units for bare modules, with SX1262 variants at $3.80–6.50 depending on TCXO and shielding. Certification gotcha: a CE/RED module does not certify your end product; enclosure, antenna, and host MCU changes usually need $3,000–8,000 of additional EMC and radio testing.

Sourcing Next Steps

Shenzhen dominates the design and sourcing of LoRa and LPWAN modules, with module houses clustered in Nanshan and Bao’an. A Shenzhen sourcing agent can help you separate module designers with in-house RF engineers from trading companies that relabel generic units.