Hobo Hobonet rxw-rptr-b series User manual

HOBOnet® Wireless Sensor Network

RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-B-xxx) Manual

24502-B

The RXW Repeater is designed to work with the HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network in which data

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

to HOBOlink® web-based software. The repeater is ideal when there is an obstruction between

motes and the station or for extending the transmission range of motes in the network. With

HOBOlink, you can monitor the network, view graphs, set up alarms, download data, and more.

Specifications

Operating Temperature

Range

-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°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

RXW-RPTR-B-900: 904–924 MHz

RXW-RPTR-B-868: 866.5 MHz

RXW-RPTR-B-921: 921 MHz

RXW-RPTR-B-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 HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network

Battery Type

Two AA 1.5 V lithium batteries

Battery Life

1 year, typical use

Dimensions

16.2 x 8.59 x 4.14 cm (6.38 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches)

Weight

219 g (7.74 oz)

Materials

PCPBT, silicone rubber seal

Environmental Rating

IP67, NEMA 6

Compliance Marks

RXW-RPTR-B-900: See last page

RXW-RPTR-B-868: The CE Marking identifies this product as

complying with all relevant directives in the European Union

(EU).

RXW-RPTR-B-921: See last page

RXW-RPTR-B-922: See last page

RXW Repeater

Models:

•RXW-RPTR-B-900 (US)

•RXW-RPTR-B-868 (Europe)

•RXW-RPTR-B-921 (Taiwan)

•RXW-RPTR-B-922

(Australia/NZ)

Included Items:

•Cable ties

•Screws

HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-B-xxx) Manual

1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com

Components and Operation

Repeater Closed, Front Repeater Closed, Back

Repeater Opened

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

repeater to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).

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

repeater for security.

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

Ground Wire Port: Use this port to connect a ground wire (see

Deploying and Mounting).

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

communications across the wireless network.

LEDs: There are two LEDs to the left of the LCD screen. The

green LED blinks during the process of joining a network,

blinking quickly while the repeater searches for a network and

then slowly as the repeater registers with the network. Once

the network registration process is complete, the blue LED

blinks at 4 seconds to indicate normal operation. If the repeater

is not currently part of a network, the blue LED will be off. If the

blue LED is on and not blinking, there is a problem with the

repeater. Contact Onset Technical Support.

Battery Holder: The location where the batteries are installed

as shown (see Battery Information).

USB Port: Use this port to connect to the repeater to a

computer via USB cable if you need to update the firmware

(see Updating Repeater Firmware).

Button: Push this button for 1 second to illuminate the LCD or 3

seconds for the repeater to search for a wireless sensor

network to join (see Adding the Repeater to the HOBOnet

Wireless Sensor Network).

LCD Screen: The repeater is equipped with an LCD screen that

displays details about the current status. This example shows all

symbols illuminated on the LCD screen followed by definitions

of each symbol in the table.

LCD Symbol

Description

The battery indicator shows the approximate battery

charge remaining.

This is a signal strength indicator. The more bars, the

stronger the signal between motes. If there is no x

icon next to the signal strength indicator, then the

repeater is part of a HOBOnet Wireless Sensor

Network.

An empty signal strength icon plus the x icon

indicates that the repeater is not currently part of a

network. See Adding the Repeater to the HOBOnet

Wireless Sensor Network for details on how to add it

to the network.

When the repeater is in the process of joining a

network, the signal strength icon will blink and then

the bars in the icon will cycle from left to right. The x

icon will blink during the last step in the network

registration process (see Adding the Repeater to the

HOBOnet Wireless Sensor

Network for details).

Adding the Repeater to the HOBOnet Wireless

Sensor Network

The repeater must join a HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network

before it can begin transmitting data. This requires accessing

the station and the repeater at the same time so it is

recommended that you complete these steps before deploying

the repeater.

Important: If you are setting up a new station, follow the

instructions in the station quick start before setting up this

mote (go to www.onsetcomp.com/support/manuals/24380-

man-rx2105-rx2106-qsg for RX2105 and RX2106 stations or go

to www.onsetcomp.com/support/manuals/18254-MAN-QSG-

RX3000 for RX3000 stations).

To add a repeater to the network:

1. If the LCD is blank on the station, press any button to wake

it up.

2. Press the Select button once (which shows the number of

smart sensors installed) and then press it again to switch to

the module with the manager (module 2 on RX2105 or

RX2106 stations).

Mounting

Tab

Latch

Button

USB Port

Battery Holder

Eyelet

LCD Screen

Press this button to view the module

Antenna

LEDs

Ground Wire

Port

HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-B-xxx) Manual

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3. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass). The

magnifying glass icon will blink while the station is in search

mode.

4. Open the repeater door and install the batteries if you have

not already done so.

5. Press the button on the repeater for 3 seconds. The signal

strength icon will flash and then cycle.

6. Watch the LCD on the repeater.

This process may take up to five minutes. The green LED

blinks quickly while the repeater searches for a network to

join and then blinks slowly while it completes the network

registration. Once the repeater has finished joining the

network, the green LED turns off and the blue LED then

blinks indefinitely while the repeater is part of the network.

Note: If the mote cannot find the network or has trouble

remaining connected during this process, make sure the

mote is in a vertical, upright position and within range of

the station.

7. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass) on the

station to stop searching for repeaters.

When you are finished adding repeaters and wireless sensors to

the network, the total channel count for the module on the

station will represent the measurement channels from all

motes plus a battery channel for each mote (including

repeaters) in the network.

Use HOBOlink to monitor repeater status. See the HOBOlink

Help for details on how to check status, add the repeater to a

map, and more.

Deployment and Mounting

When to Use a Repeater

•Motes cannot transmit data to each other if there is an

obstruction between them, such as a hill or mountain in

the example diagram below on the left. If there is an

obstruction in the path of two sensor motes or between a

sensor mote and the RXW Manager, then use a repeater

mounted on the obstruction between the two as shown in

the diagram below on the right.

•If the distance between two motes is greater than the

recommended transmission range in the specifications,

then you may need to add a repeater between them.

•If the signal between two motes is weak (consistently one

bar on the LCD) even though the motes are within the

recommended transmission range, add a repeater

between them.

Mounting and Positioning the Repeater

•Mount the repeater to a mast or pipe using cable ties or

affix the repeater to a wooden post or flat surface with

screws. Insert the cable ties or screws through the holes

on the mounting tabs.

•Consider using plastic poles such as PVC to mount the

repeater as certain types of metal could decrease the

signal strength.

•Make sure the repeater remains in a vertical position once

it is placed in its deployment location for optimal network

communications.

•Make sure the repeater door is closed, with both latches

fully locked to ensure a tight seal.

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

repeater. With the repeater door closed, hook a padlock

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

Press this button so the station is ready

to have the repeater join the network

Press this

button for 3

seconds for the

repeater to join

the network

Press this button again to stop

searching for the repeater

This signal strength icon

blinks while searching for

a network.

Once a network is found,

the icon will stop flashing

and the bars will cycle from

left to right.

This network connection

“x” icon blinks while the

repeater completes the

registration process,

which may take up to

five minutes.

Once the repeater has finished

joining the network, the “x” icon

is removed and the channel count

on the station LCD increases by

one for the repeater battery.

HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-B-xxx) Manual

1-800-LOGGERS 4 www.onsetcomp.com

•Make sure the repeater is mounted a minimum of 1.8 m (6

feet) from the ground vegetation to help maximize

distance and signal strength.

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

at their maximum transmission range from the 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 manager at the 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 HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network can support a

maximum of 50 motes.

•Use a #4-40 screw to attach a ground wire to the port on

the back of the repeater if you are deploying it in a

location where lightning is a concern.

Maintenance

Periodically inspect the repeater and do the following:

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

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

grime with a damp cloth.

•Wipe off any water before opening the repeater.

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

fully locked when the repeater door is closed.

Updating Repeater Firmware

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

HOBOlink to download the file to your computer.

1. In HOBOlink, go to Devices, then RX Devices, 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

mote 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.

Battery Information

Lithium Batteries

You can use two 1.5 V lithium batteries (HWSB-LI) for operation

at the extreme ends of the repeater operating range. Lithium

battery life is an estimated at 1 year, but varies based on the

ambient temperature where the repeater is deployed, the

logging interval, the number of tripped alarms, and other

factors. Estimates are not guaranteed due to uncertainties in

initial battery conditions and operating environment. When

using lithium batteries, you must disconnect the solar panel

cable because the batteries will not be recharged.

To install lithium batteries:

1. Open the repeater door.

2. Remove any old batteries and install the new ones

observing polarity.

The repeater contacts the network once the new batteries are

installed. The green LED blinks quickly while the repeater

searches for a network to join and then blinks slowly while it

completes the network registration. Once the repeater has

finished joining the network, the green LED turns off and the

blue LED then blinks indefinitely while the repeater is part of

the network.

WARNING: Do not cut open, incinerate, heat above 85°C

(185°F), or recharge the lithium batteries. The batteries may

explode if the repeater is exposed to extreme heat or

conditions that could damage or destroy the battery cases. Do

not mix battery types, either by chemistry or age; batteries may

rupture or explode. Do not dispose of the logger or batteries in

fire. Do not expose the contents of the batteries to water.

Dispose of the batteries according to local regulations for

lithium batteries.

HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-B-xxx) Manual

-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.

24502-B

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

all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

NCC Statement

經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機，非經許可，公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。

低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信；經發現有干擾現象時，應立即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。前項合法通信，指依電信法規定作

業之無線電通信。低功率射頻電機須忍受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

Translation:

Article 12

Without permission granted by the NCC, any company, enterprise, or user is not allowed to change frequency, enhance transmitting power or alter original characteristic as well

as performance to an approved low power radio-frequency device.

Article 14

The low power radio-frequency devices shall not influence aircraft security and interfere with legal communications. If found, the user shall cease operating immediately until no

interference is achieved. The said legal communications means radio communications is operated in compliance with the Telecommunications Act. The low power radio-