Onset HOBO MX User manual

HOBO® MX Gateway (MXGTW1) Manual
23470-J
The HOBO MX Gateway provides near real-time data monitoring for most MX series loggers by
automatically transmitting logged data to the HOBOlink® website. You can easily set up the
gateway with the HOBOconnect® app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Once configured, the
gateway uses Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) to regularly check for measurements from up to 100
loggers within range. Logger measurements are then uploaded from the gateway via Ethernet
or WiFi to HOBOlink, where you can set up automatic email or text alarm notifications, display
your data in a dashboard, and export data for further analysis. Note: All MX loggers except the
MX100 series are supported by the gateway. Contact Onset Technical Support for questions on
MX100 logger compatibility with the gateway.
Specifications
Transmission Range Approximately 30.5 m (100 ft) line-of-sight
Wireless Data Standard Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE)
Connectivity WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz or 10/100 Ethernet
Security WPA and WPA2, protocols not listed are not supported
Power Source AC adapter or PoE
Dimensions 12.4 x 12.4 x 2.87 cm (4.88 x 4.88 x 1.13 inches)
Weight 137 g (4.83 oz)
The CE Marking identifies this product as complying with all relevant
directives in the European Union (EU).
Setting up the Gateway
Follow these steps to set up the gateway for the first time.
1. Download the app. Download HOBOconnect to a phone or
tablet from the App Store® or Google Play™ or download
the app to a Windows computer from
www.onsetcomp.com/products/software/hoboconnect.
Open the app and enable Bluetooth in the device settings if
prompted.
2. Power up the gateway.
a. Insert the appropriate plug for your region into the AC
adapter. Connect the AC adapter to the gateway and
plug it in.
b. Wait for the gateway to boot up and appear in the app.
While the gateway boots up, the LED on the gateway
will start as solid yellow and then switch to blinking
yellow. It will take 4 to 5 minutes before the gateway
appears in the app.
3. Create a HOBOlink account. Go to www.hobolink.com and
create an account if you don’t already have one. You will
receive an email to activate the new account.
4. Set up the gateway with the app.
a. Tap Settings.
b. If your HOBOlink account is not already connected to
HOBOconnect, tap Connect Account. Enter your
HOBOlink username and password and tap Connect.
c. Make sure the Upload Data toggle is enabled.
d. Plug in the Ethernet cable if you device is using Ethernet.
e. Tap Devices and find the gateway by searching or
scrolling through the tiles. If the gateway does not
appear, make sure it is completely powered up as
described in step 2 and within range of your device.
f. Tap the gateway in the app to connect to it.
g. Once connected, tap at the bottom of the screen
to configure the gateway.
h. Enter a name for the gateway. The gateway serial
number will be used if no name is entered.
i. If the Ethernet connection is using DHCP (dynamic IP
addresses), then skip to step l.
j. To set up Ethernet with static IP addresses, tap Ethernet
Configuration, tap DHCP toggle to disable DHCP. Fill in
the networking fields and tap Save. Consult your
Network Administrator as needed.
k. To set up Wi-Fi, tap Wi-Fi Configuration, tap Current
Network or type a network name. Enter the password
for the network and tap Save.
l. Tap to save the new configuration settings to the
gateway.
HOBO MX Gateway
MXGTW1
Included Items:
•Mounting kit
•AC adapter
Required Items:
•HOBOlink account
•HOBOconnect app
•Mobile device with Bluetooth
and iOS, iPadOS®, or Android™,
or a Windows computer with a
native BLE adapter or
supported BLE dongle
•MX1101, MX1102, MX1104,
MX1105, MX2001, MX2200,
MX2300, or MX2501 loggers
Plug in AC
adapter here

HOBO MX Gateway Manual
1-508-759-9500 (U.S. and International) 2 www.onsetcomp.com
1-800-LOGGERS (U.S. only)
5. Set up and start loggers.
MX series loggers must be configured to use them with the
gateway. If any of your loggers are already logging, you will
need to reconfigure them as described in the following
steps.
Note: MX100 series loggers are not supported by the
gateway. Contact Onset Technical Support for questions on
MX100 logger compatibility with the gateway.
To configure a logger for use with the gateway:
a. Tap Devices. Press a button on the logger to wake it up
(if necessary).
b. Tap the logger in the app to connect to it and tap .
c. Select Gateway for the “Upload Data via” configuration
setting.
d. Choose other logger settings keeping in mind the
following:
•A logging interval of 5 minutes or slower is optimal
for the gateway, although it can support a logging
interval down to 1 minute (see Viewing Data
Uploaded from the Gateway for details).
•If you select a logging interval faster than 1 minute,
the data logged at the faster rate will not be available
for the gateway to upload. Use the app to read out
the logger and retrieve this data.
•Burst logging and statistics are not supported by the
gateway. Use the app to read out the logger and
retrieve this data.
•For MX1104, MX1105, MX2200, MX2300, and
MX2501 loggers, Bluetooth is automatically enabled
to ensure regular gateway uploads can occur.
•The gateway uses Bluetooth Low Energy to
communicate over the air with loggers within range.
If MX2200 or MX2501 loggers or the top end of an
MX2001 logger is deployed in water, the gateway will
not be able to communicate with them.
e. Tap . For additional help with the app, refer to the
user’s guide at www.onsetcomp.com/hoboconnect.
The gateway will regularly check loggers within range and
upload data to HOBOlink. See Viewing Data Uploaded from the
Gateway for details on working with data.
Deployment and Mounting Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location to place the
gateway:
•The gateway requires AC power and an internet
connection. Select a location for the gateway that is near
an AC outlet and an Ethernet port (if using Ethernet) or
within range of your WiFi router (if using WiFi).
•The range for successful wireless communication between
the gateway and loggers is approximately 30.5 m (100 ft)
with full line-of-sight. If there are obstacles between the
gateway and the loggers, such as walls or metal objects,
the connection may be intermittent and the range
between loggers and the gateway will be decreased. Test
the range by positioning your mobile device or computer
where you want to deploy the gateway. If the mobile
device or computer can connect to a logger with the app
from that location, then the gateway should be able to
connect to the logger as well.
•If you are mounting the gateway on a wall or other flat
surface, mount the face of the gateway towards the
coverage area with the logo oriented horizontally as
shown below for optimal signal strength. Also mount away
from the corners where walls meet and above the tallest
obstructions in the room.
•If you are mounting the gateway on a ceiling, place it on
the lowest available mounting point facing downwards for
optimal signal strength. Also mount away from HVAC ducts
and below I-beams or support beams.
•Use the enclosed mounting kit to mount the gateway to a
flat surface. Use the self-tapping screws and anchors to
affix the gateway mounting plate to a wall or ceiling.
If you are mounting the gateway on a wooden surface, use
both the gateway mounting plate and the mounting
bracket shown below. Place the gateway mounting plate
over the mounting bracket so the holes are aligned. Use
the machine screws to affix it the surface (you may need
to drill pilot holes in the surface first).
Once the gateway mounting plate is in place on the wall or
other flat surface, use the four holes on the back of the
Self-tapping
screws and
anchors
Machine
screws
One of four clips to
attach to gateway
Gateway
mounting
plate
Mounting
bracket;
attach to
mounting
plate above
For wall mounting,
position the gateway
facing the coverage
area with the logo
oriented as shown

HOBO MX Gateway Manual
1-508-759-9500 (U.S. and International) 3 www.onsetcomp.com
1-800-LOGGERS (U.S. only)
gateway to attach it to the four clips on the mounting
plate.
Connecting to the Gateway
To connect to the gateway with your phone, tablet, or device:
1. Tap Devices.
2. Tap the gateway in the list to connect to it.
If the gateway does not appear in the list or if it is having
trouble connecting, follow these tips:
•Make sure the gateway is within range of your mobile
device or computer when connecting to it. If your mobile
device or computer can connect to the gateway
intermittently or loses its connection, move closer to the
gateway, within sight if possible. Check the gateway signal
strength icon in the app to make sure there is a strong
signal between the mobile device or computer and the
gateway.
•Change the orientation of your device to ensure the
antenna is pointed toward the gateway (refer to your
device’s manual for the antenna location). Obstacles
between the antenna in the device and the gateway may
result in intermittent connections.
•Wait a few minutes and then try to connect again. The
gateway will not be displayed in the app when it is booting
or when an automatic firmware upgrade is underway.
•If you recently powered up the gateway and the LED is
continuously flashing, but the gateway is not displayed in
the app, then disconnect the power from the gateway and
plug it back in. The gateway should then appear in the app
after it powers back up.
Once your device is connected to the gateway, you can check
how many loggers are in range and set up network
configuration as described in Setting up the Gateway. You can
also tap to check on gateway status:
•indicates the gateway is running.
•indicates the gateway is not configured.
•indicates there is a problem with the gateway. Check
the network settings.
Monitoring the Gateway
A heartbeat is regularly sent from the gateway to HOBOlink to
make sure the gateway is still active. If no heartbeat is sent
after 15 minutes, then the gateway status will change from OK
to missing. The gateway will continue downloading the loggers
even if it is not able to connect to HOBOlink. The data will be
stored temporarily in the gateway and uploaded the next time
it is able to connect to HOBOlink.
To check the status of the gateway in HOBOlink, click Devices
and then click MX Devices. Each gateway is listed by name and
serial number with the status and the last time data was
uploaded with the gateway.
You can also set up an alarm to notify you via text or email
when a gateway is missing or when the loggers that are being
monitored by the gateway are missing, tripped an alarm, or
have low batteries.
To set up a gateway alarm:
1. In HOBOlink, click Devices and then click MX Devices.
2. Click Configure Gateway Alarms.
3. Click Add New Alarm.
4. Select a gateway.
5. Select the alarms you want to add for the gateway:
•Missing gateway. A gateway has not sent a heartbeat to
HOBOlink for 15 minutes.
•Missing logger. A logger has not been found by the
gateway for 30 minutes.
•Logger alarm. A logger being monitored by the gateway
has tripped or cleared a sensor alarm.
•Logger low battery. A logger being monitored by the
gateway has a low battery.
6. Select whether you want gateway alarm notifications sent
via email or text.
7. Enter the email address or country code destination plus
cell number.
8. Click Save Alarms.
Viewing Data Uploaded from the Gateway
A running gateway uses Bluetooth to regularly monitor loggers
within range that have been configured for use with the
gateway. New logger data received by the gateway is then
uploaded via WiFi or Ethernet to HOBOlink every 5 minutes.
To check when the latest data was uploaded, click Devices and
then MX Devices. In the MX Devices table, look for the logger
(by name, serial number, and/or model number) and check the
last sensor reading listed. You can also see the date and time
the logger was configured and which gateway uploaded the
data.
To view logger data uploaded to HOBOlink from the gateway:
•Set up a dashboard for real-time monitoring of the
conditions where the logger is located.
•Export the data to a file.
•Set up a data delivery schedule so that uploaded data is
automatically delivered to you via email or FTP on a
schedule you specify.
See the HOBOlink Help for details on how to set up a
dashboard, export data, or create a data delivery schedule.
Use these holes
to attach the
gateway to the
clips on the
mounting plate

HOBO MX Gateway Manual
1-508-759-9500 (U.S. and International)
1-800-LOGGERS (564-4377) (U.S. only)
www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact
© 2019–2021 Onset Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Onset, HOBO, HOBOconnect, and HOBOlink are registered trademarks
of Onset Computer Corporation. App Store and iPadOS are service marks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Android and Google
Play are trademarks of Google LLC. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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Notes:
•A logging interval of 5 minutes or slower is optimal for the
gateway, although it can support a logging interval down
to 1 minute. If the logging interval is set from 1 minute up
to 5 minutes, there may be occasional missing individual
data points in exported files. Both the gateway and loggers
regularly “advertise” or send out Bluetooth signals. The
rate at which these signals are sent may differ between
the gateway and the loggers and can result in occasional
data points not being uploaded. Use the app to read out
the logger and generate a report with all data points for
the current deployment.
•No data will be uploaded for loggers configured with
logging intervals faster than 1 minute. If your deployment
requires logging faster than 1 minute, use the app to read
out the logger and generate a report with this data.
•Burst logging and statistics are not supported by the
gateway. If you configured the logger with these settings,
use the app to read out the logger and create a report
with any burst logging data and statistics.
If no data is appearing in HOBOlink, do the following:
•Check the gateway status in HOBOlink. If the gateway is
missing, check to make sure it is plugged in, the network
settings are correct, and it is within range of the loggers.
•If you just set up a gateway and configured loggers, it may
take a few minutes before data begins appearing in
HOBOlink. Wait a few minutes and then check HOBOlink
again.
•Make sure the logger was configured to upload data to
HOBOlink via the gateway. If you configured the logger to
upload data via HOBOconnect, then data will only be
uploaded to HOBOlink when you read out the logger with
your phone, tablet, or computer.
•Check that you are logged into the same HOBOlink
account that you used to set up the gateway in the app.
•Make sure the loggers have started logging and are not
waiting for a delayed start or a push button start.
•Make sure the logger is not deployed in water. The
gateway cannot communicate with loggers while they are
deployed in water.
Gateway Firmware Updates
Occasional automatic firmware updates may be necessary for
the gateway. While the firmware update is taking place, devices
will not be able to connect to the gateway and no data will be
uploaded to HOBOlink. The LED on the gateway will blink
yellow while the firmware update is underway. The update
should only last a few minutes and then the gateway will
resume normal operation.
Unlocking and Resetting the Gateway
If you need to unlock a gateway, press and hold the button on
top of the gateway (next to the LED) for 10 seconds. This will
then allow you to connect to a gateway that was previously
locked.
There is a reset button on the back of the gateway next to the
Ethernet port as shown below. You may be directed to press
this button by Onset Technical Support if you are experiencing
problems with the gateway. Refer to the table below for the
action taken by the gateway when the reset button is pressed
for varying lengths of time.
When you press
the reset button
like this: The gateway does this:
Quick press, less
than 2 seconds
Soft reboot. This restarts the operating
system on the gateway without interrupting
power.
Short press,
2–4 seconds
Network reset. This clears all connections
configured by the gateway and requires the
button to be pressed for 2 to 4 seconds. To
aid the timing of the network reset, the LED
quickly flashes yellow to indicate the
window when the button should be
released. When the button is released
during that window, the LED will quickly
flash green to confirm the network reset
operation has been triggered. If you release
the button after 4 seconds, the LED will
return to the behavior it displayed before
quickly flashing yellow. If you release the
button between 4 and 8 seconds, no actions
(reboot or reset) are performed.
Long press,
10–15 seconds
Hard reboot. This resets the processor and
restarts the gateway operating system.
Very long press,
greater than 30
seconds (NOT
RECOMMENDED)
Factory reset.
Important: This should not be performed
unless instructed by Onset Technical
Support. Factory reset will wipe all data
from the gateway and reinstall the
operating system. If the gateway loses
power during the reinstall process, the
installation might be corrupted and the
gateway rendered inoperable. If you
perform a factory reset, do not remove
power while the LED is solid yellow. In
addition, you must install an Ethernet
cable after performing a factory reset,
even if your gateway is normally
configured for Wi-Fi. The Ethernet cable
must remain installed with the gateway
powered until the reinstallation process
completes, which may take up to 2 hours.
Reset
button