At Makerfabs, we are constantly working to improve the functionality, stability, and developer experience of our open-source hardware solutions. Recently, we have implemented key technical updates to two of our core product lines：

  • LoRa data reliability 
  • Synchronization between devices using MQTT. 

 

Update 1: Enhancing Data Reliability in LoRa Communication
Product Involved: LoRa Soil Monitoring & Irrigation Kit

Why It Matters
 

Traditional LoRa communications often follow a “fire-and-forget” model — a one-way, unreliable data transmission that risks data loss, especially in real-world outdoor or agricultural environments. To address this, we've implemented a customized LoRa protocol that enhances communication reliability through the following features:

  • CRC Validation: Implemented a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mechanism to detect transmission errors and ensure data integrity during communication.
  • Data Acknowledgment: Added an acknowledgment response mechanism on the receiver side to confirm successful delivery of each message and improve communication reliability.

How It Works
   

 

1. Each message sent from the LoRa sensor includes a CRC checksum.

2. The receiver calculates CRC on arrival and compares it.

3. If a mismatch is found, it requests Data Acknowledgment.

4. The process continues until correct data is received or a maximum number of attempts is reached.

Real-World Impact
This improvement greatly increases the reliability of remote sensing in smart agriculture use cases. Developers can now trust that their soil moisture and irrigation data is accurate and complete, enabling better automation and decision-making.

 

 

Update 2: MaTouch Communication with MQTT
Product Involved: MaTouch_ESP32S3-SPI-TFT-with-AI-2.8-ST7789V

What We Achieved
   

We’ve developed a demo showcasing data transmission with MQTT, implemented on two MaTouch ESP32-S3 boards with 2.8" capacitive touchscreens. This example illustrates how MQTT can be used for device-to-device communication, making it ideal for smart control panels, dashboards, and collaborative displays.

  • Key Features
    One board acts as MQTT Publisher, the other as Subscriber.
  • When a button is pressed on the Publisher, the Subscriber reflects the same UI change.
  • Fully developed using the Arduino framework, with integration of: WiFi/ Touch input (BB QSPI capacitive panel)/ MQTT (via ArduinoMqttClient library)/ LVGL GUI library

This real-time UI feedback between two independent screens opens doors for interactive IoT systems where users on different devices can remain in sync.

Why These Updates Matter

Together, these two updates reflect our commitment to technical excellence and practical innovation. Whether you're building long-range, low-power agricultural solutions or developing user-facing interfaces with real-time synchronization, Makerfabs products now offer:

  • More reliable LoRa communication
  • Easier-to-use MQTT communication templates
  • Better integration with Arduino and LVGL
  • Fully open-source, customizable firmware and hardware

Ready to Build?
We provide not only hardware but also detailed documentation and open-source examples to help you get started immediately.

Explore full usage code and documentation:

Stay tuned for more updates — and if you have feedback or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you: )