Hobo RX3000 RXW Manager User manual

HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network

HOBO RX3000 RXW Manager (RXMOD-RXW-xxx) Manual

22248-A

The HOBO RX3000 RXW Manager is a module and mote designed to work with the HOBOnet

Wireless Sensor Network. When the RXW Manager module is installed in an RX3000 station, data

is transmitted wirelessly from sensor motes across the network to the RX3000 station and then

uploaded to HOBOlink® web-based software. You can use HOBOlink to monitor the network, view

graphs, set up alarms, download data, and more.

Specifications

perating Temperature

Range

-25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F)

Radio Power 12.6 mW (+11 dBm) non-adjustable

Transmission Range Reliable connection to 457.2 m (1,500 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) high

Reliable connection to 609.6 m (2,000 ft) line of sight at 3 m (10 ft) high

Wireless Data Standard IEEE 802.15.4

Radio Operating

Frequencies

RXMOD-RXW-900: 904–924 MHz

RXMOD-RXW-868: 866.5 MHz

RXMOD-RXW-922: 916–924 MHz

Modulation Employed OQPSK (Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)

Data Rate Up to 250 kbps, non-adjustable

Duty Cycle <1%

Maximum Number of

Motes

50 motes per one RX Wireless Sensor Network

Power Source Powered by the RX3000 station

Dimensions Mote: 16.2 x 8.59 x 4.14 cm (6.38 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches)

Cable length: 2 m (6.56 ft)

Weight Mote: 159 g (5.62 oz)

Materials Mote: PCPBT, silicone rubber seal

Environmental Rating Mote: IP67, NEMA 6

ompliance Marks RXMOD-RXW-900: See last page

RXMOD-RXW-868: The CE Marking identifies this product as

complying with all relevant directives in the European Union

(EU).

RXMOD-RXW-922: See last page

Components and Operation

Manager Mote Closed Manager Mote Opened

Manager Module

The RXW Manager consists of a mote with a cable attached that

is plugged into a module, which is installed in the RX3000

station. These are the components of the mote and module.

Mounting Tab: Use the tabs at the top and bottom of the mote

to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).

Cable: Use this cable to connect the mote to the module.

Eyelet: Use this eyelet to attach a 3/16 inch padlock to the

mote for security.

Latch: Use the two latches to open and close the mote door.

Antenna: This is the built-in antenna for the radio

communications across the RX Wireless Sensor Network.

USB Port: Use this port to connect to the mote to a computer

via USB cable if you need to update the firmware (see Updating

Mote Firmware).

Module Jack: Use this jack to connect the mote to the module

with the cable attached to the mote (see Installing the Module).

HOBO RX3000

RXW Manager

Models:

•RXMOD-RXW-900 (US)

•RXMOD-RXW-868 (Europe)

•RXMOD-RXW-922

(Australia/NZ)

Items Included:

•Cable ties

•Screws

Mounting

Tab

Latch

Eyelet

Cable

Antenna

USB Port

Module Jack

HOBO RX3000 RXW Manager (RXMOD-RXW-xxx) Manual

1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com

Installing the Module

The module must be installed in an RX3000 station before the

motes in the RXW Wireless Sensor Network can join the network.

Important: If you have not already registered the RX3000

station with HOBOlink and set up the station communications,

follow the instructions in the RX3000 Quick Start.

To add a module:

1. Stop the station if it is currently logging. Press the Connect

button and wait for the station to connect to HOBOlink so

that all the latest data is offloaded before adding a new

module.

2. Once the station is done connecting to HOBOlink, power it

down by disconnecting the battery and unplugging any

charging device.

3. Insert the connector on the back of the module into the

receptacle in the left or right module slot.

4. Using a Phillips-head screwdriver, tighten the screw at the

bottom of the module.

5. Plug the cable from the RXW Manager mote into the jack on

the module, making sure the cable is inserted through the

bottom of the station case. Do not reconnect the power on

the station until the mote is plugged in as shown.

6. Plug in the battery and then the charging device, and wait

for the station to power up. Verify that the new module is

listed on the LCD screen with a checkmark. Because the

module was installed in the left slot in this example, it is

listed on the LCD as module 1.

7. The station should automatically connect to HOBOlink

(press the Connect button on the station if it does not).

Check your station’s page in HOBOlink to make sure the

new module is listed.

8. If you added the module to an RX3000 station that was

previously in use, you will need to update the station

firmware. (If you have a new station, go to the next step.)

To update the firmware:

a. In HOBOlink, go to Devices > List and click your station

name.

b. On the station page, click Overview and scroll down to

Device Information.

c. On the General tab under the Firmware Version, click the

firmware upgrade link.

d. Select Upgrade on Next Connection and click Save.

e. Press the Connect button on the station.

f. Wait for the firmware upgrade to complete. The upgrade

icon should be gone in HOBOlink once the upgrade is

successful. If the station firmware is not successfully

installed, it could be because there is an interruption in

cellular service or poor signal strength. Contact Onset

Technical Support at 1-800-LOGGERS, 508-759-9500, or

www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact for help.

9. Set the logging interval for the module in HOBOlink. Go to

Devices > List, select the icon next to your station, and

select Module/Sensor Configuration. Select Module <1 or

2>: Wireless Sensors Logging, enter a logging interval (how

often the sensor motes will record data), and click Save.

Press Connect if the station was

logging to upload the latest data

The module

is added to

the

Insert the connectors

on the module here

Click this link to

upgrade the

station firmware

Press Connect to connect to HOBOlink

and start the firmware upgrade

HOBO RX3000 RXW Manager (RXMOD-RXW-xxx) Manual

1-800-LOGGERS 3 www.onsetcomp.com

Press the Start button on the RX3000 station to begin

logging.

WARNING: If you inadvertently install modules while the power

is on, you must disconnect and then reconnect the battery and

charging device to guarantee proper operation. In addition, if

you did not plug the manager mote into the module while the

power was off, it may not be recognized by the station.

Disconnect and reconnect the battery and charging device.

The station is ready for motes to be added to the network.

Make sure the mote is in a vertical, upright position and within

range of the station while they join the network. Refer to the

specific sensor mote or repeater manual for details on adding

motes. Note that once all motes are added to the network, the

total channel count on the RX3000 station LCD for the RXW

Manager module will represent all measurement channels plus

a battery channel for each mote in the RX Wireless Sensor

Network.

See the HOBOlink Help for details on how to change the logging

and connection intervals, view data, check mote status, add the

mote to a map, and more.

When the station is deployed, make sure that the RXW

Manager cable and all other cables and wires are routed

through weatherproof cable channels. Refer to the RX3000

manual at www.onsetcomp.com/manual/rx3000

for details on

using the weatherproof cable channel.

Deployment and Mounting

•Use cable ties or screws to mount the mote via the holes

on the mounting tabs.

•Make sure the mote remains in a vertical position once it is

placed in its deployment location for optimal network

communications.

•Make sure the mote door is closed, with both latches fully

locked to ensure a watertight seal.

•Consider using a 3/16 inch padlock to restrict access to the

mote. With the mote door closed, hook a padlock through

the eyelet on the right side of the door and lock it.

•Mount the manager as high as possible above the RX3000

station to increase the radio signal and line of sight.

Tips for Setting up the RX Wireless Sensor

Network

•Stay close to the RX3000 station when adding motes to

the wireless network because you will need to access both

the station and the mote at the same time. After the mote

has successfully joined the wireless network, you can then

move it to its deployment location.

•Check the signal strength on the mote LCD on the location

where you want to place the mote. If there is only one or

two bars on the signal strength indicator, consider moving

the mote to a location where the signal strength is stronger.

•Make sure motes are mounted a minimum of 1.8 m (6

feet) above the ground or vegetation to help maximize

distance and signal strength as shown below.

•Consider using a plastic pole such as PVC to mount the

motes.

•Make sure each sensor mote and repeater is positioned so

that the built-in solar panel receives optimal sunlight

throughout each season as shown below. It may be

necessary to periodically adjust the mote position as the

path of the sunlight changes throughout the year or if tree

and leaf growth alters the amount of sunlight reaching the

solar panel.

•Obstructions between motes can prevent reliable network

communication. If the mote is blocked by a small

obstruction (e.g. a pole, the RX3000 station, shrubbery),

then move the mote to a location where the obstruction is

not blocking the path to the nearest mote. If there is a

change in elevation between motes or a large obstruction

is in the way (e.g. a building or tree), then either

reposition the mote until there is full line of sight to the

next mote or add a repeater between them.

HOBO RX3000 RXW Manager (RXMOD-RXW-xxx) Manual

1-800-LOGGERS (564-4377) • 508-759-9500

www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact

trademarks of Onset Computer Corporation. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks

are the property of their respective companies.

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•There should not be more than five motes in any direction

at their maximum transmission range from the RXW

Manager. Data logged by a wireless sensor must travel or

“hop” across the wireless network from one mote to the

next until it ultimately reaches the RXW Manager at the

RX3000 station. To make sure the data can successfully

travel across the network, the mote should not be more

than five hops away from the manager.

•The RX Wireless Sensor Network can support a maximum

of 50 motes.

•Use the Map feature in HOBOlink for a bird’s eye view of

the network and wireless paths. See the HOBOlink Help for

details on this and other ways to monitor the status of

your network and sensor data.

Maintenance

The mote is designed for outdoor use, but should be inspected

periodically. When inspecting the mote, do the following:

•Verify the mote is free of visible damage or cracks.

•Make sure the mote is clean. Wipe off any dust or grime

with a damp cloth.

•Wipe off any water before opening the mote.

•Make sure the interior seal is intact and the latches are

fully locked when the mote door is closed.

Updating RXW Manager Firmware

If a new firmware version is available for the module, use

HOBOlink to download the file to your computer.

1. In HOBOlink, go to Devices > List and click your station

name.

2. On the station page, click Overview and scroll down to

Device Information.

3. Click the Wireless tab. This icon appears next to the

module if there is a new version of firmware available.

4. Click the firmware upgrade link. Click Download and

save the firmware .bin file to your computer.

5. Connect the mote to the computer with a USB cable (open

the mote door and use the USB port to the right of the

LCD). The blue LED is illuminated while connected.

6. The mote appears as a new storage device in the

computer’s file storage manager. Copy the downloaded

firmware file to the new storage device (the mote). The

blue LED will blink slowly while the file is copying.

7. After the file is copied to the mote, the LED will stop

blinking and remain a steady blue. Eject the storage device

from the computer and disconnect the cable from the

mote. The firmware installation process will begin

automatically on the mote. The blue LED will blink rapidly

while the firmware is installed. Once the firmware

installation is complete, the LCD symbols return and the

mote will automatically rejoin the network.

Notes:

•Mac® users: A message may appear indicating the disk

has not ejected properly when disconnecting the mote

from the computer. The mote is operational and you can

ignore the message.

•If the blue LED turns off abruptly while copying the file or

installing the firmware, a problem has occurred. Contact

Onset Technical Support for help.

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide

reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a

particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user

is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected

•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Industry Canada Statements

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Avis de conformité pour l’Industrie Canada

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1)

l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le

fonctionnement.

To comply with FCC and Industry Canada RF radiation exposure limits for general population, the logger must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20cm from