Hawk Lite Data Logger

The Hawk Lite is a low-cost, low-power, robust plug-and-play IoT data logger and sensor hub designed to support an extensive range of sensor integrations.

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    Flexible I/O architecture offers near-limitless sensor integrations
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    Integrates with Bluetooth®, SDI-12, 1-Wire, 4-20mA,RS-485, RS-232, Analog Inputs, Digital Inputs, Pulse Counting, Digital Inputs, Switched Power and more
  • Battery Life Icon
    Powered by 2 user-replaceable D Cell Alkaline batteries with two housing variations
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    Cellular LTE-M (Cat-M1) and NB-IoT Connectivity
Hawk Housing Top
Hawk Housing Long Side
Hawk Housing Short Side
Hawk Housing Bottom
Hawk Agtech 1 and 2 Cards-1
Hawk Bluetooth Card
Hawk Digital Input Card
Hawk RS-1 Card
Hawk Serial Card
Hawk Serial Card
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I/O Card Architecture

Caters to plug-in cards that define the 9 inputs/outputs, offering near-limitless options
for interfacing to sensors.

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Sensor Compatibility

Bluetooth®, SDI-12, I²C, 1-Wire, iButton, 4-20mA, RS-485, RS-232, Analog Inputs, Digital Inputs, Pulse Counting, Digital Outputs, Switched Power, and more.

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Unmatched Flexibility

Select only the hardware components you need to build your specific solution.

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Power Options

Support for low-cost, user-replaceable D Cell Alkaline batteires. 

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Multiple Housing Options

Select from our ultra-rugged and waterproof housing options (IP68 and IK07) with or without GORE® vent, or build your own.

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On-Device Task Management

On-device data processing, eliminating network delays and triggering tasks or events exactly when needed.

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Onboard Smarts

Onboard GPS Location, Accelerometer, and Data Storage. 

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Remote Management

Over-the-air (OTA) device configuration, management, and firmware updates.

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Endpoint Integration-Ready

Securely send data to any end platform via TCP Direct or HTTPS Webhook.

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Data Security

Military-level AES-256 Encryption to protect data integrity and confidentiality. Data sent to third-party systems is sent via HTTPS, providing end-to-end security.

Product Information

Datasheet Downoad Icon Sensor Support Open New Window Icon Application Examples Open New Window Icon Firmware Releases

Resources

Getting Started Guide Open New Window Icon Architecture Open New Window Icon Installation & Power Options Open New Window Icon Configuring Tasks Open New Window Icon Hawk Pro vs. Hawk Lite

Onboard Connectivity

  • LTE-M (Cat-M1)/NB-IoT

  • Nordic nRF9160 Modem operates on all major global LTE-M and NB-IoT bands.

    Supported LTE bands: LTE-M (Cat-M1): B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B14, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B66

    NB-IoT (Cat-NB1/NB2): B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B17, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B66 

  • SIM Size and Access

  • Internal Micro 3FF SIM

Onboard Design and Mechanics

  • Temperature Range

  • Operating: -20°C to +54°C
    Recommended Storage: 10°C to 30°C, Humidity 30%. Store in a cool, dry place.

  • Cellular Antenna

  • Internal. Supports optional external antenna for maximum range.

  • GPS Antenna

  • Internal.

  • 3-Axis Accelerometer

  • 3-Axis Accelerometer to detect tampering (planned in future firmware release).

  • Diagnostic LED

  • Diagnostic LEDs indicate operation status.

  • Onboard Temperature

  • The device reports internal temperature which provides an indication of ambient temperature but may not always be precise. Use an external sensor for precise temperature monitoring.

Onboard Location

  • Module

  • Nordic nRF9160 internal GPS

  • Constellation

  • GPS

  • Location Accuracy*

  • ~3m CEP

    * Positioning accuracy specifications are provided by the GNSS module supplier and reflect ideal conditions. Device configuration, installation, environmental conditions, augmentation services, and many other factors may lead to variations in positioning accuracy. 

  • GNSS Assistance

  • GPS predicted ephemeris data for greater sensitivity and position accuracy.

  • Low Noise Amplifier

  • GPS signals are boosted by a low-noise amplifier (LNA) allowing operation in low signal.

Onboard Interfaces

  • Digital Input

  • 1 x Digital input with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: ON > 2V, Off < 1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40MHz)

  • Plugin Board

  • The versatile and flexible Hawk architecture caters for plug-in cards that define the 9 inputs/outputs, offering limitless options for interfacing to sensors. Flexible onboard output power to power your sensors. See the current card list below or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Onboard Smarts

  • Battery Life Monitoring

  •  ‘Battery Low’ and ‘Battery Critical’ alert levels.

  • Task Management

  • Powerful onboard task management allows you to schedule tasks or run tasks based on sensor thresholds and events, even when out of cellular coverage.

D Cell Battery Pack

Powered by 2 x D Cell Alkaline batteries for a completely self-powered solution.

  • User-Replaceable Batteries

  • 2 x D Cell Alkaline (1.5V per cell). Batteries not included.

Hawk D Cell Housing (Hawk2D) - Available with or without GORE® Vent

Designed to accommodate the PCB, I/O Card, and 2 x D Cell Alkaline batteries.

  • Dimensions

  • 185 x 150 x 30 mm (7.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 in)

  • Housing

  • Non-branded nylon glass housing is suitable for white labeling.

  • IP/IK Rating

  • Ultra-rugged and waterproof IP68 and IK08-rated housing to ensure the device can withstand impact, fine dust, and brief submersion.

  • GORE® Vent - Optional

  • Allows for pressure equalization while protecting against water and dust ingress.

  • Installation

  • Multiple installation options for securing the device with screws, bolts, cable ties, rivets, and more. 
    Includes 2 cable glands to allow for waterproof cable entry to the housing.

Device Management

  • Flexible Configuration

  • Remotely configure sensor sampling rates, position updates, upload intervals, and more.

  • Device Management Platform

  • Manage, monitor, configure, debug, update, and restart devices remotely from our cloud-based device management system.

  • Configuration App

  • Configurable with DM-Link provisioning tool.

Integration

  • Third-Party Integration

  • TCP Direct or HTTPS Webhook.

Security

  • Data Security

  • Military-level AES-256 Encryption from device to Device Manager to protect the integrity and 
    confidentiality of your data. Data forwarded to third-party systems is sent via HTTPS for end-to-end security.

Warranty

Certifications

  • Certifications

  • Please check our knowledge base for regulatory and network certifications.

    Certifications are not valid if using the Hawk without a Digital Matter housing or with an external antenna.

Product Information

Datasheet Downoad Icon Sensor Support Open New Window Icon Application Examples Open New Window Icon Firmware Releases

Resources

Getting Started Guide Open New Window Icon Architecture Open New Window Icon Installation & Power Options Open New Window Icon Configuring Tasks Open New Window Icon Hawk Pro vs. Hawk Lite

I/O Card Options 

The Hawk’s sensor interfaces and protocol are managed by ‘I/O Cards’ - a range of plug-in Input/Output cards standardized for common applications. See the current card list below or contact us to discuss your requirements. 

  • Digital Input

  • 1 x Digital Input with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: On >2V, Off <1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40Hz)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground (1A current limit)

  • I²C SDA/SCL

  • Yes

  • SDI-12

  • Yes

  • Switched Power Out

  • 3.3V Switched Power for Sensors

  • Switched Sensor Power

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power for Sensors

  • 1-Wire®

  • Yes

  • 4-20mA

  • Yes

  • Analog Inputs

  • 4 x Analog Inputs (0-30V range)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground

  • SDI-12

  • Yes

  • Switched Power Out

  • 3.3V Switched Power for Sensors

  • Switched Sensor Power

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power for Sensors

  • 1-Wire®

  • Yes

  • Bluetooth Module

  • BGM240PA22VNA3

  • Analog Input

  • 1 x Analogue Input (0-30V range)

  • Digital Input

  • 1 x Digital Input with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: On >2V, Off <1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40Hz)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground (1A current limit)

  • Power Out

  • 3.3V Power Out for Sensors

  • Switched Power Out

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power Out for Sensors

  • SDI-12

  • Yes

  • I²C SDA/SCL

  • Yes

  • 4-20mA

  • Yes

  • Analog Inputs

  • 2 x Analog Inputs (0-30V range)

  • Digital Inputs

  • 5 x Digital Inputs with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: On >2V, Off <1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40Hz)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground

  • Switched Power Out

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power Out for sensors

  • Analog Input

  • 1 x Analog Input (0-30V range)

  • Digital Input

  • 1 x Digital Input with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: On >2V, Off <1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40Hz)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground

  • RS485 TX/RX

  • Yes

  • Power Out

  • 3.3V Power Out for Sensors

  • Switched Power Out

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power for Sensors

  • 1-Wire®

  • Yes

  • 4-20mA

  • 1 x 4-20mA input

  • Analog Input

  • 1 x Analog Input (0-30V range)

  • Digital Inputs

  • 2 x Digital Inputs with configurable pull up/pull down
    0-40V DC input range
    On/Off thresholds: On >2V, Off <1V
    Can be used for pulse counting (max 40Hz)

  • Digital Output

  • 1 x Switched Ground (1A current limit)

  • Switched Power Out

  • 5V or 12V Selectable Power Out for Sensors

  • RS232 TX/RX

  • Yes

  • TTL TX/RX

  • Yes

Product Information

Datasheet Downoad Icon Sensor Support Open New Window Icon Application Examples Open New Window Icon Firmware Releases

Resources

Getting Started Guide Open New Window Icon Architecture Open New Window Icon Installation & Power Options Open New Window Icon Configuring Tasks Open New Window Icon Hawk Pro vs. Hawk Lite

The Flexibility to Build What You Need

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Choose Your Sensor

The versatile Hawk architecture caters for plug-and-play I/O Cards that define the 9 inputs/outputs, offering limitless options for interfacing to sensors.

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Choose Your Power

Power the Hawk with a large internal rechargeable LiPo battery, external power including solar, or 2 x D Cell LTC or Alkaline batteries.

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Choose Your Housing

Select from our ultra-rugged housing options or build your own.

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Choose Your Endpoint

Securely send data to your end platform via TCP Direct or HTTPS Webhook.

Enabling Hundreds of IoT Remote Monitoring Applications

The Hawk represents a significant advancement in remote monitoring applications, transforming the industry with 
its flexible and unique approach to IoT sensor monitoring hardware.

See How Our Partners Build Sensor Monitoring Solutions

Promoting Animal Welfare with Wildlife Trap Monitoring

Explore how researchers in Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions are using the Hawk to promote animal welfare.

Read Case Study
Promoting Animal Welfare with Wildlife Trap Monitoring

See How Our Partners Build Sensor Monitoring Solutions

Groundwater Mapping and Monitoring with WaterMappers

Learn how Watermappers is utilizing the Hawk IoT Data Logger for hydrological cycle modelling and groundwater mapping.

Read Case Study
Groundwater Mapping and Monitoring with WaterMappers

See How Our Partners Build Sensor Monitoring Solutions

Enhancing Environmental Monitoring with Peak HydroMet

Peak HydroMet Solutions, based in British Columbia, Canada, is a full-service environmental monitoring company specializing in agricultural weather and water management.

Read Case Study
Enhancing Environmental Monitoring with Peak HydroMet

Frequently Asked Questions

The Hawk Pro is the original Hawk PCB, with flexible power options and compatibility with external power sources. It can use an internal LiPo battery for backup in case of external power interruptions and is compatible with LTC D Cell Batteries.

The Hawk Lite represents the latest PCB option for the Hawk IoT Datalogger, compatible with lower energy, lower cost Alkaline D Cell batteries.

To learn more, please visit Hawk Pro vs. Hawk Lite.

The Hawk Pro is compatible with Solar, containing a smart charging circuitry on its PCB, which can be connected to a rechargeable LiPo battery when used with the LiPo Housing.

A solar panel can be connected directly to the external power input on the device. This provides the internal battery with sufficient quantities of sunlight.

Please visit the Digital Matter Knowledge Base to learn more about powering the Hawk:

The Hawk allows for the connection of one card to a single Hawk PCB at a time. A diverse range of deployment-ready cards are available, which define a specific combination of inputs/outputs to suit broad user requirements. Custom card development is also available.

The number of records the Hawk can store is dependent on what sensors are used.

If an SDI-12 probe is used, the Hawk can store approximately 40, 000 records, as more space is used.

If using a sensor other than an SDI-12 probe, the Hawk can store approximately 80, 000 records; the equivalent to sampling every 10 minutes for almost 1 year.

Once the Hawk uses up its internal flash, it begins to overwrite the oldest stored records.

What size sensor cables can I use with the Hawk?

To ensure waterproof cable entry into the housing, the diameter of the cable used should be between 2.5mm - 6.5mm. It should also be an extruded cable with 2 or more cores.

All Digital Matter devices allow you to direct collected data to an endpoint of your choosing.

Integration options include sending the data securely via Device Manager to an elected endpoint or via a Raw TCP payload directly to a third-party server.

To learn more, visit the Digital Matter Knowledge Base: Choosing an Integration Strategy

Yes, the Hawk requires a Micro 3FF SIM card.

Digital Matter does not provide required SIM cards, which allows users to choose the data plan that best suits their usage requirements.

For advice on choosing a SIM, please visit the Digital Matter Knowledge Base: LTE-M/NB-IoT SIMS – Roaming and Setup

Military-level AES-256 Encryption is used between the Hawk and Device Manager, to protect the integrity and confidentiality of its data. Data which is forwarded to third-party systems is sent via HTTPS, providing end-to-end security.

The expected battery life of the Hawk will depend on the way the device has been configured and the type of sensors that have been fitted to the device. Different sensors will have different power draws, warm-up times and sampling times, resulting in varied battery life estimates.

Digital Matter has 20 years of experience designing battery powered devices that endure long lifespans, with decades of learnings applied to the Hawk’s design.

The following depicts an example of estimating battery life for the Hawk based on specific configurations and sensors:

A Hawk using 2 LTC batteries, powering an SDI-12 Soil Moisture probe, which samples every 15 minutes, uploads every hour and receives a GPS fix once per day, will expect more than 5 years of battery life.

For more information or to estimate your expected battery life, we have developed a Hawk Battery Life Estimator, which is available from the Digital Matter Knowledge Base: Battery Life Estimator

The Hawk is designed to integrate with almost any sensor available on the market.

Some sensor interfaces are “plug and play”, requiring only over-the-air (OTA) updates to configure and activate.

These include:

  • Digital inputs incl. Pulse Counting
  • Analogue Inputs
  • 4-20mA
  • SDI-12
  • RS485 (Modbus)
  • Most 1-Wire
  • Most Bluetooth Tags

Other interfaces require firmware development to integrate:

  • I2C (numerous I2C sensors have already been integrated into the Hawk)
  • RS232
  • TTL

For more information, please visit the Digital Matter Knowledge Base: Hawk – Supported Sensors

The Hawk communicates via LTE-M and/or NB-IoT. For IoT applications, these cellular technologies have numerous advantages over traditional “4G”. They use less power, less data, and have a greater range and permeability.

In addition, the Hawk can be connected to an external antenna. This allows users to deploy the Hawk in extremely low-signal environments such as in a basement or sewer, while still receiving connectivity by boosting the signal, or running the antenna to a position where it can connect.

To learn more, visit the Digital Matter Knowledge Base: https://support.digitalmatter.com/en_US/hawk-iot-datalogger

To ensure waterproof cable entry into the housing, the diameter of the cable used should be between 2.5mm - 6.5mm. It should also be an extruded cable with 2 or more cores.

Take Control of Device Performance

Manage device performance over-the-air (OTA) and access a comprehensive library of device parameters to configure device behavior to monitor multivariable data for your specific application.

Control reporting frequency, movement-based events, accelerometer sensitivity, I/Os, and much more, or work with our engineers to build out a fully customized solution.

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Looking for Support?

Find the answers you need in our comprehensive Knowledge Base.