Onset RXW-LIA-900 Operating Manual

HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network

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RXW PAR Sensor (RXW-LIA-xxx) Manual

This sensor measures photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and is designed to work with the
HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network in which data is transmitted wirelessly from the sensor
mote across the network to the RX3000 station and then uploaded to HOBOlink® web-based
software. With HOBOlink, you can monitor sensor readings, view graphs, set up alarms,
download data, and more.

Specifications

Sensor

Measurement Range

Accuracy

RXW PAR Sensor

Models:

• RXW-LIA-900 (US)

• RXW-LIA-868 (Europe)

• RXW-LIA-922 (Australia/NZ)

Included Items:

• Cable ties

• Screws

Accessories:

• Light sensor mounting
bracket (M-LBB)

• Light sensor level (M-LLA)

Angular Accuracy Cosine corrected 0 to 80 degrees from vertical; Azimuth Error <2% error

Resolution

Drift <±2% per year

ireless Mote

perating Temperature

Range

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

Wireless Data Standard IEEE 802.15.4

Radio Operating
Frequencies

Modulation Employed OQPSK (Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)

Data Rate Up to 250 kbps, non-adjustable

Duty Cycle <1%

Maximum Number of
Motes

Battery Type/
Power Source

Battery Life With NiMH batteries: Typical 3–5 years when operated in the

Memory 16 MB

Dimensions Sensor: 4.1 cm height x 3.2 cm diameter (1.61 x 1.26 inches)

Weight Sensor and cable: 109 g (3.85 oz)

Materials Sensor: Anodized aluminum housing with acrylic diffuser and O-ring seal

Environmental Rating Sensor and cable: Weatherproof

ompliance Marks RXW-LIA-900: See last page

2

0 to 2500 μmol/m

±5 μmol/m
temperature induced error ±0.75 μmol/m
(0.42 μmol/m

at 45 degrees from vertical, 360 degree rotation

2.5 μmol/m

-25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F) with rechargeable batteries

-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) with lithium batteries

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

RXW-LIA-900: 904–924 MHz
RXW-LIA-868: 866.5 MHz
RXW-LIA-922: 916–924 MHz

50 motes per one RX Wireless Sensor Network

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)

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

Cable length: 2 m (6.56 ft)
Mote: 16.2 x 8.59 x 4.14 cm (6.38 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches)

Mote: 223 g (7.87 oz)

Mote: PCPBT, silicone rubber seal

Mote: IP67, NEMA 6

RXW-LIA-868: The CE Marking identifies this product as
complying with all relevant directives in the European Union
(EU).

RXW-LIA-922: See last page

/sec, wavelengths 400 to 700 nm (see Plot A)

2

/sec or ± 5%, whichever is greater in sunlight; Additional

2

/sec/°F from 77°F)

2

/sec

2

/sec/°C from 25°C

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RXW LIA Sensor (RXW-LIA-xxx) Manual

Mote Components and Operation

Mounting
Tab

Solar Panel

Sensor Cable

Sensor Mote Closed, Front Sensor Mote Closed, Back

Solar Panel Cable

Mounting Tab: Use the tabs at the top and bottom of the mote
to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).

Solar Panel: Position the solar panel towards the sun to charge
the mote batteries (see Deploying and Mounting).

Sensor Cable: This is the cable that connects the mote to the
sensor.

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.

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 mote circuitry.

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 mote searches for a network and
then slowly as the mote registers with the network. Once the
network registration process is complete, the blue LED blinks at
4 seconds to indicate normal operation. If the mote 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 mote.
Contact Onset Technical Support.

Latch

Eyelet

Ground Wire
Port

LEDs

Antenna

Button

USB Port

Battery Holder

Sensor Mote Opened

LCD Screen

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).

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

seconds for the mote to search for an RX Wireless Sensor
Network to join (see Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network).

LCD Screen: The mote 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
mote is part of an RX Wireless Sensor Network.

An empty signal strength icon plus the x icon
indicates that the mote is not currently part of a
network. See Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless
Sensor Network for details on how to add a mote to
the network.

When the mote 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 Mote to the RX
Wireless Sensor Network for details).

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.

Typical Quantum Response

The PAR sensor is designed to detect photons between 400–
700 nm in wavelength. Ideally the sensor would count photons
with equal efficiency between 400–700 nm and no photons
would be counted outside this range. However, in reality, this
sensor undercounts photons between 400–550 nm and
between 670–700 nm, and it overcounts photons between
550–670 nm. In most applications (where the sensor is used in
natural sunlight) the error is not significant.

Battery Holder: The location where the batteries are installed
as shown (see Battery Information).

Plot A: PAR Sensor Typical Quantum Response

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RXW LIA Sensor (RXW-LIA-xxx) Manual

Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network

The mote must join an RX Wireless Sensor Network before it
can begin measuring PAR and transmitting data. This requires
accessing the RX3000 station and the mote at the same time so
it is recommended that you complete these steps before
deploying the mote.

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 mote 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).

6. Watch the LCD on the mote.

a. b.

This signal strength icon
blinks while searching for
a network.

c.

This network connection
“x” icon blinks while the
mote completes the
registration process,
which may take up to
five minutes.

This process may take up to five minutes. The green LED
blinks quickly while the mote searches for a network to join
and then blinks slowly while it completes the network
registration. Once the mote has finished joining the
network, the green LED turns off and the blue LED then
blinks indefinitely while the mote is part of the network.

Once a network is found,
the icon will stop flashing
and the bars will cycle from
left to right.

d.

Once the mote has finished joining
the network, the “x” icon is
removed and the channel count
on the station LCD increases by
two (one for PAR and one for the
mote battery).

Press this button to view the module
where the RXW Manager is installed

3. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass). The
magnifying glass icon will blink while the RX3000 is in search
mode.

Press this button so the station is ready
to have motes join the network

4. Open the mote door and install the batteries if you have not
already done so.

5. Press the button on the mote for 3 seconds. The signal
strength icon will flash and then cycle.

Press this button for 3
seconds for the mote to
join 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
RX3000 station to stop searching for motes.

Press this button again to
stop searching for motes

If you added more than one more mote to the network, then
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.

Sensor measurements will be recorded at the logging interval
specified in HOBOlink, transmitted to the RX3000 station, and
uploaded to HOBOlink at the next connection interval
(readout). Use HOBOlink to monitor mote status and health. If a
mote is temporarily offline, any logged data is saved until it is
back online. In addition, if a mote is offline for 30 minutes, the
RX3000 station will automatically connect to HOBOlink and
report the mote as missing. Once the mote is back online, any
logged data will be uploaded the next time the RX3000 station
connects to HOBOlink.

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