RYLR498 LoRa Module (433 MHz)

The REYAX RYLR498 is a sub-GHz LoRa transceiver module operating at 433 MHz ISM band, built on the Semtech SX1262 chipset. The 433 MHz frequency band is particularly significant for deployments in India, where 433 MHz is an authorized ISM band that offers favorable propagation characteristics — lower atmospheric absorption and better obstacle penetration compared to 868 MHz and 915 MHz alternatives. The RYLR498 shares the same AT command interface and pin-compatible footprint as the RYLR998 (868/915 MHz), enabling hardware designs that can switch between frequency bands by swapping the module without PCB layout changes.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification
Chipset	Semtech SX1262
Frequency Band	433 MHz ISM
Modulation	LoRa (CSS) + FSK
TX Power	+22 dBm maximum
Sensitivity	-129 dBm (LoRa mode)
Range	16+ km line-of-sight
Interface	UART with AT command firmware
Supply Voltage	2.3 V to 3.6 V
Sleep Current	10 uA
Transmit Mode Current	140 mA @ RFOP = +22dBm
Receive Mode Current	17.5 mA @ VDD=+3.3V
Antenna	U.FL connector or PCB antenna pad
Pin Compatibility	Same pinout as RYLR998
Certification	FCC, CE pre-certified
Operating Temperature	-40 to +85 C

Why 433 MHz Matters for India

India’s Department of Telecommunications authorizes the 433 MHz band for low-power ISM applications, making it the most widely used sub-GHz frequency for industrial telemetry, SCADA, and sensor network deployments in the country. The 433 MHz band offers distinct propagation advantages over higher sub-GHz frequencies: lower free-space path loss at equivalent distance, better diffraction around obstacles, and improved penetration through vegetation and building materials. These characteristics translate to longer effective range in real-world deployments where line-of-sight conditions are rarely achieved — agricultural fields with crop canopy, dense urban environments with building obstructions, and industrial facilities with metal structures.

The SX1262 chipset delivers the same performance advantages at 433 MHz that it provides at higher frequencies: +22 dBm transmit power from a highly efficient power amplifier, -148 dBm receiver sensitivity in LoRa mode, and sub-2 uA sleep current for battery-operated deployments lasting years. Configurable spreading factor, bandwidth, and coding rate parameters allow engineers to optimize the link budget for each deployment scenario — maximum range with low data rate, or higher throughput at shorter distances.

Pin-Compatible with RYLR998

The RYLR498 shares the identical pinout and footprint as the RYLR998 (868/915 MHz), along with the same AT command set. This pin compatibility enables a single PCB design to support both frequency bands by populating the appropriate module variant during assembly. Products destined for the Indian market use the RYLR498 at 433 MHz, while the same hardware design uses the RYLR998 for European (868 MHz) or North American (915 MHz) deployments. This approach reduces engineering cost by maintaining a single hardware platform across multiple regulatory regions, with only the module and antenna differing between SKUs.

Agricultural sensor networks monitoring soil moisture, weather stations, and irrigation systems across large farm operations use the RYLR498 for reliable long-range communication through crop canopy and vegetation. Water and gas utility metering infrastructure, where sub-GHz penetration through underground installations and concrete enclosures is essential, benefits from the 433 MHz band’s superior obstacle penetration. Industrial SCADA and telemetry systems in manufacturing facilities and process plants rely on the 433 MHz band for established regulatory compatibility and proven propagation in metallic environments.

GSAS Micro Systems provides REYAX RYLR498 modules from Indian inventory with INR invoicing, along with 433 MHz antenna design guidance, link budget calculation support, and regulatory consultation for ISM band deployments across India.