HOBO® ZW Series Wireless Network Quick Start Guide
13542-D MAN-ZW-QSG
This guide explains how to set up a HOBO ZW Series Wireless Network, which consists of a receiver, router nodes, and end-point data
nodes. The receiver is the central data collection hub that receives data from the router nodes and data nodes in the network. Router
nodes can either be standalone routers (no data logging capability) or data nodes doubling as routers (operating in dual mode: data
logging plus routing). End-point data nodes record data only (no routing capability). Follow the steps in this guide to set up these devices.
1
Survey the site and mark the
measurement points
Walk through your site to map out the measurement points,
which are the locations where you want to record sensor data.
This will determine where you need to place either router
nodes operating in dual mode or end-point data nodes. Note
that the real-time communication range possible between
nodes will depend on the obstructions in the path. You may
need to add more router nodes in the path to help data from
the measurement points reach the receiver or another active
router node. Every data node and router comes with a
mounting bracket. The mounting bracket allows you to adjust
the node orientation against the mounting surface so that it
gets better signal reception. For details on choosing the best
location for nodes, refer to the
HOBO Data Node Deployment
Guide
at http://www.onsetcomp.com/indoor-wireless-hobo-
data-nodes.
2
Identify power outlets for router nodes
Router nodes require AC power. Locate available outlets in your
site that can be used to provide AC power to the router nodes,
which may be necessary for strengthening the communication
within the network. The more router nodes you use, the more
robust the network is.
3
Start HOBOnode Manager
HOBOware® Pro 3.0 or higher is required for a ZW Series
Wireless Network. Install the software now if you have not
already done so.
1.
Open HOBOware. From the Device menu, select Manage
HOBO Data Node Network.
2.
Click Yes to enable data node capability in HOBOware.
4
Connect the receiver to the computer
1.
Connect the power adapter to the receiver and plug it
into a wall outlet.
2.
Insert three AAA batteries into the receiver for backup
power.
3.
Connect the small end of the USB cable to the
communication port on the receiver. Plug the large end
into the USB port on the computer running HOBOnode
Manager.
Note:
The computer used to set up the
network must be the same one used to offload data from
the receiver at the site.
IMPORTANT:
The receiver requires continuous power from
the computer to communicate with the other devices in the
network. Do not plug the receiver into a USB port that may
be shut down due to the power settings on the computer.
Disable any power saving options, such as Turn Off Hard
Disks, Hibernation, or Shut Down, on the computer. If you
connect the receiver to a USB port on your computer
monitor, do not enable any energy savings options on the
monitor.
4.
The red and green LEDs blink continuously and the
receiver is displayed in the device table in HOBOnode
Manager with a status of CONNECTED as shown below.
(If the receiver does not appear in the device table, make
sure the USB cable is completely plugged in at both ends
or try unplugging the receiver and plugging it back in.)
A message also appears indicating a new receiver has
been detected and asking if you would like to begin
forming a network. Click Form Network Now. The
receiver is now in Form Network mode with both LEDs
staying continuously lit and the Forming Network
progress indicator appearing in HOBOnode Manager.
5
Build a backbone of router nodes
Build a backbone of AC-powered router nodes (dedicated or
dual mode) before adding any battery-powered data nodes to
the network. Start with the router node closest to the receiver
and move steadily to the farthest point, adding one node at a
time and ensuring it is ACTIVE on the network before you
proceed to the next node as described in the following steps.
Note:
Leave the logging and connection intervals on the nodes
at the default of 1 minute and 10 minutes respectively until you
have built the complete network. Do not permanently mount a
node until you are sure it is being recognized on the network.
To add a router node to the network:
1.
The Forming Network progress indicator should still be
visible in HOBOnode Manager. If it is not, then
c
lick the
Form Network button at the bottom of the HOBOnode
Manager window.
2.
If this router node will also be recording data, connect
any external sensors.
3.
Plug in the AC adapter to power the node.With a wire
paper clip, press and hold the reset button located inside
the small hole at the bottom of the case for 5 seconds as
shown below. This will erase any previous network
information stored in the node. The red LED will blink
multiple times, then stop blinking, and then both LEDs
will be lit briefly.
4.
Disconnect any power to the node (remove any batteries
and unplug the AC adapter). Wait for one minute, then
plug in the AC adapter to power the node again. Do not
install the batteries.
5.
Using the paper clip again, press the reset button once (a
quick 1-second push) to put the node in “Form network
mode.” The green and red LEDs will alternate blinking.
•
If the node finds a communication path to the receiver
within a minute, the alternate blinking will stop and
the green LED will blink. The node will display as
ACTIVE in the device table in HOBOnode Manager as
shown below. After a few seconds, both LEDs will light
and remain on while network formation continues. You
can now add backup batteries to the node and mount
it with the mounting bracket. Also consider labeling
the node in HOBOnode Manager and writing the same
label on the node sticker (see “Label nodes” on the
reverse side for more details).
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