DRF1278DM is a type of long range, low data rate, data radio modem based on SX1278 from Semtech. DRF1278DM is a low-cost sub-1 GHz transceiver module designed for operations in the unlicensed ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) and LPRD bands. Frequency spectrum modulation/demodulation, multi-channel operation, high bandwidth efficiency and anti-blocking performance make DRF1278DM modules easy to realize the robust and reliable wireless link.

The module can work in two different modes: Standard mode and Star network mode which can be changed by AT commands or configuration tool. In the standard mode DRF1278DM acts as transparent data radio modem which it communicates with the host at the preset data format without encoding / decoding needed. In start network mode, one module will be the configured to the central node and other modules are set to node modules. The communication between the central module and node module are bidirectional but the node modules can not talk with each other. Considering the features of sx1278, the DRF1278DM is suitable for low data rate communication to realize long distance.