Onset Computer ONST6 HOBO RX Wireless Sensor Network User Manual HOBO RXW Repeater RXW RPTR xxx Manual

Onset Computer Corporation HOBO RX Wireless Sensor Network HOBO RXW Repeater RXW RPTR xxx Manual

User Manual_22249-2 RXW-RPTR Manual.pdf

HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network
HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-xxx) Manual
22249-2
The HOBO RXW Repeater is designed to work with the HOBO RX Wireless Sensor Network in
which data is transmitted wirelessly from sensor motes across the network to the RX3000 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
O
perating Temperature
Range
-25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F) with rechargeable batteries
-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) with lithium batteries
Radio Power 12.6 mW (+11 dBm) non-adjustable
Transmission Range At least 304.8 m (1,000 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) from the ground,
457.2 m (1,500 ft) typical
Wireless Data Standard IEEE 802.15.4
Radio Operating
Frequencies
RXW-RPTR-900: 904–924 MHz
RXW-RPTR-868: 866.5 MHz
RXW-RPTR-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
Battery Type/
Power Source
Two AA 1.2V rechargeable NiMH batteries, powered by built-in solar panel or
two AA 1.5 V lithium batteries for operating conditions of -40 to 70°C (-40 to
158°F)
Battery Life With NiMH batteries: Typical 3–5 years when operated in the temperature
range -20° to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F) and positioned toward the sun (see
Deployment and Mounting), operation outside this range will reduce the
battery service life
With lithium batteries: 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
C
ompliance Marks RXW-RPTR-900: See last page
RXW-RPTR-868: The CE Marking identifies this product as
complying with all relevant directives in the European Union (EU).
RXW-RPTR-922: See last page
Components and Operation
Repeater Closed, Front Repeater Closed, Back
Repeater Opened
Mounting
Tab
Solar Panel Latch
HOBO RXW Repeater
Models:
• RXW-RPTR-900 (US)
• RXW-RPTR-868 (Europe)
• RXW-RPTR-922
(Australia/NZ)
Items Included:
• Cable ties
Solar Panel Cable
Button
USB Port
Battery Holder
Eyelet
LCD Screen
Antenna
LED
Ground Wire
Port
LED
HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com
Mounting Tab: Use the tabs at the top and bottom of the
repeater to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).
Solar Panel: Position the solar panel towards the sun to charge
the repeater batteries (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 RX Wireless Sensor Network.
Solar Panel Cable: This cable connects the built-in solar panel
to the repeater circuitry.
LEDs: The blue LED to the left of the LCD screen blinks at 4
seconds during normal operation. It blinks more frequently
when initially joining a network. If the mote is not currently
part of a network, the blue LED will be off. If the LED is on and
not blinking, there is a problem with the mote. Contact
Technical Support at www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact.
The yellow-green LED to the upper right of the batteries only
blinks during the process of joining a network.
Battery Holder: The location where the rechargeable AA
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 an RX Wireless Sensor
Network to join (see Adding the Repeater to the RX 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. This icon
will blink when you press the button on the
repeater to search for a network to join (see
Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network for details).
This indicates that the repeater is not part of a
network. See Adding the Repeater to the RX
Wireless Sensor Network for details on how to add
it to the network.
This indicates a problem with the sensor itself (the
mote is operational). Check the sensor and make
any adjustments to it as needed. Contact Onset
Technical Support if the problem persists.
Adding the Repeater to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network
The repeater must join an RX Wireless Sensor Network before it
can begin transmitting data. This requires accessing the RX3000
Station and the repeater at the same time so it is
recommended that you complete these steps before deploying
the repeater.
Important: If you have not configured the RX3000 Station with
the RXW Manager, follow the instructions in the RX3000 Quick
Start before continuing.
To add a repeater to the RX Wireless Sensor Network:
1. If the LCD is blank on the RX3000 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 once if the
HOBO RXW Manager is installed in the left slot (module 1)
or twice if it is installed on the right slot (module 2).
3. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass). The
magnifying glass icon will blink while the RX3000 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.
Press this button to view the module
where the RXW Manager is installed
Press this button so the station is ready
to have motes join the network
Press this button for 3
seconds for the repeater
to join the network
HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS 3 www.onsetcomp.com
6. Watch the LCD on the repeater. The signal strength icon
and the LEDs will quickly blink while the repeater searches
for the wireless network. Once it has found the network,
the icon will stop blinking and the signal strength bars will
slowly cycle from left to right. As the repeater completes its
registration process with the network, the “x” icon to the
right of the signal strength icon will flash and the yellow-
green LED will stop blinking. Once the registration is
complete, the signal strength bars will stop cycling and
remain solid and the channel count on the RX3000 LCD will
be updated by 1 to represent the battery channel in the
repeater. This process may take up to five minutes.
7. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass) on the
RX3000 Station to stop searching for motes.
Use HOBOlink to monitor repeater status. See the HOBOlink
Help for details on how to check mote status, add the mote 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.
• 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 sensor mote should not be more
than five hops away from a repeater or manager. Use a
repeater if your network has more than five motes in any
direction.
• If the distance between two motes is greater than the
recommended transmission range of 304.8–457.2 m
(1,000–1,500 feet), then you will 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
• Use cable ties to mount the repeater via the holes on the
mounting tabs.
• Avoid mounting the repeater near metal, which can cause
interference with the signal.
• Position the repeater towards the sun, making sure the
solar panel is oriented so that it receives optimal sunlight
throughout each season. It may be necessary to
periodically adjust the repeater 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.
• Make sure the repeater 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
repeater. With the repeater door closed, hook a padlock
through the eyelet on the right side of the door and lock it.
• The RX 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.
• Make sure the repeater remains in a vertical position once
it is placed in its deployment location for optimal network
communications.
Maintenance
The repeater is designed for outdoor use, but should be
inspected periodically. When inspecting the repeater, 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. Connect the
repeater to the computer with a USB cable (open the repeater
door and use the USB port to the right of the LCD). The
repeater appears as a new storage device in the computer’s file
storage manager. Copy the downloaded firmware file to the
new storage device (the repeater). After the file is copied, eject
the storage device from the computer and disconnect the cable
from the repeater. The file will be installed automatically on the
repeater. Note to Mac® users: A message may appear
indicating the disk has not ejected properly. The repeater is
operational and you can ignore the message.
Press this button again to
stop searching for motes
HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS 4 www.onsetcomp.com
Battery Information
The mote uses two 1.2 V rechargeable NiMH batteries, charged
by the built-in solar panel. The quality and quantity of solar
light can affect whether the battery is sufficiently charged to
last through the night and cloudy periods. Make sure the mote
is placed in a location that will receive several hours of sunlight
each day. If the mote does not receive enough sunlight to
recharge the batteries, the battery life is estimated at 3–4
months. When batteries are regularly recharged, expected
battery life is estimated at 3–5 years. Battery life varies based
on the ambient temperature where the mote is deployed, the
logging interval, the number of tripped alarms, and other
factors. Deployments in extremely cold or hot temperatures
can impact battery life. Estimates are not guaranteed due to
uncertainties in initial battery conditions and operating
environment.
Mote operation will stop when battery voltage drops to 1.8 V.
Mote operation will return if the battery recharges to 2.3 V. If
the batteries are unable to be recharged, replace them with
fresh rechargeable batteries.
To replace rechargeable batteries:
1. Open the mote door.
2. Remove the old batteries and install the new ones
observing polarity.
3. Make sure the solar panel cable is plugged in.
You can use two 1.5 V lithium batteries (HWSB-LI) for operation
at the extreme ends of the mote operating range. Lithium
battery life is an estimated at 1 year, but varies based on the
ambient temperature where the mote 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 mote door.
2. Remove any old batteries and install the new ones
observing polarity.
3. Push in the side tab of the solar panel cable connector and
pull the connector out of the cable port.
4. Place the connector in the slot on the inside of the mote
door. Make sure the solar panel cables are tucked inside the
door so that they do not interfere with the interior seal
when the mote is closed.
WARNING: Do not cut open, incinerate, heat above 85°C
(185°F), or recharge the batteries. The batteries may explode if
the logger 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.
Store the solar
panel connector
here when using
lithium batteries
Make sure
solar panel
cable is
installed
when using
rechargeable
batteries
HOBO RXW Repeater (RXW-RPTR-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS (564-4377) • 508-759-9500
www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact
© 2018 Onset Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Onset, HOBO, and HOBOlink are registered
trademarks of Onset Computer Corporation. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective companies.
22249-2
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.

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