IoT Gateway
RF Connectivity (GW-1, GW-3)
Using the 433/915 MHz RF radio for long-range wireless communication with field devices on GW-1 and GW-3 gateway models.
How RF Connectivity Works
The GW-1 and GW-3 gateways include a sub-GHz RF radio operating at 433 MHz or 915 MHz (region-dependent). RF provides long-range, low-power wireless communication for field devices in open agricultural areas, irrigation networks, and remote sites where wired RS485 cable runs are impractical or too costly. RF devices do not require line-of-sight but obstacles reduce effective range. The gateway acts as the RF base station, polling all registered RF field devices on the configured channel and forwarding their data to the HPzenAi cloud.
RF vs RS485 — When to Use RF
Choose RF when cabling is impractical; use RS485 for highest reliability and lowest latency in fixed installations.
| Criteria | RS485 (Wired) | RF 433/915 MHz (Wireless) |
|---|---|---|
| Max range | 1000 m | Up to 1500 m open field |
| Installation | Requires cable trenching | No cabling — quick deployment |
| Reliability | Very high — no radio path loss | Good — weather and obstacles affect range |
| Power on device | 12V via cable | Battery or solar on RF device |
| Latency | < 1 second | 2–10 seconds typical |
| Best use | Fixed panel and building installs | Open farms, remote tanks, temporary sites |
RF Antenna Connection
The RF antenna must be connected before enabling RF and before powering on the gateway. Operating an RF transmitter without an antenna can permanently damage the RF power amplifier circuitry.
Steps
- Connect the supplied RF SMA antenna to the port labelled 'RF ANT' on the gateway.
- Tighten finger-tight only — do not use tools, which can damage the SMA connector.
- Position the RF antenna vertically for maximum omni-directional coverage.
- Do not mount the RF antenna inside a metal enclosure — bring it out through an SMA bulkhead fitting.
RF Channel Setup
All RF field devices must be set to the same frequency and channel as the gateway. Verify the frequency (433 MHz or 915 MHz) is correct for your country before deployment.
Guided Help Center
Open the HPzenAi app.
Expected RF Range
RF range varies significantly with environment. Conduct a site survey with a test device before finalising installation locations for permanent deployments.
| Environment | Typical Range (433 MHz) |
|---|---|
| Open flat field — no obstacles | Up to 1500 m |
| Agricultural — crops, low vegetation | 800–1000 m |
| Light suburban — low buildings | 400–600 m |
| Dense urban — multi-storey buildings | 200–300 m |
| Dense foliage — mature trees | 200–400 m |
| Indoor through concrete/brick walls | 50–150 m |
RF Troubleshooting
If RF devices are not being discovered or are dropping off periodically, work through these checks.
Steps
- Confirm the RF antenna is securely connected to 'RF ANT' and oriented vertically.
- Verify the RF channel and frequency on the gateway matches the settings on each RF field device.
- Reduce the distance between gateway and devices during initial commissioning to confirm basic RF communication works.
- Reposition the gateway antenna or field devices to avoid metal structures, concrete walls, and dense vegetation that block RF signals.
- Check that no other RF equipment on the same frequency is causing channel interference at the site.
- Ensure RF is enabled in the app: Device Settings → RF → Enable RF.