Understanding Sensor Heartbeat Frequency Limitations
Monnit Sensor Heartbeats represents the frequency our sensors report data to the iMonnit Software platform. In the Monnit protocol, our sensors always initiate the communication. There is no way in iMonnit to manually prompt a sensor to communicate. As a result, you need to know how to configure Monnit Sensor Heartbeats and Aware State Heartbeats.
Most Monnit Sensors are not limited to a minimum Heartbeat configuration by the hardware but rather by iMonnit. In many scenarios, the desired Heartbeat Interval may dictate which iMonnit Software version you wish to use. This article will help you understand sensor Heartbeats and which iMonnit version might be best for your application.
More Data isn’t Always Better
It’s common for many of us to assume that having more data is better in all cases. Configuring a sensor with the most frequent Heartbeat is always better using this logic. However, an important consideration is that Monnit Sensors send a reading when a specific condition is detected; therefore, having a more frequent Heartbeat isn’t always necessary.
In fact, in most cases, reviewing sensor history to identify the sequence of specific events is much easier and more efficient if there are fewer data points to review.
Why Limit Heartbeats?
There are three reasons iMonnit limits minimum Heartbeat frequency:
- Efficient use of data
- Efficient use of battery power
- The expense of data transmission and storage
The number of data points to store for each sensor can add up, possibly requiring enormous storage. Limiting the Heartbeat when using online cloud storage helps iMonnit service costs stay low. It also encourages users who need more frequent Heartbeats to store and manage data locally.
The iMonnit Online Portal
iMonnit Online —Free Basic: 120 minutes
iMonnit Online —Premiere subscription: 10 minutes
iMonnit Online —Premiere subscription with additional purchase of HX Credits: 1 minute
If you use the free iMonnit Basic subscription, there is no additional cost, and your most frequent Heartbeat configuration is 120 minutes.
If using a trigger sensor such as an Open-Closed Sensor, you may see the sensor report data before the scheduled 120-minute Heartbeat. However, the Aware State configuration cannot be changed using the free Basic subscription.
With the standard paid iMonnit Premiere subscription, you not only get a more frequent Heartbeat configuration of 10 minutes but also gain access to the Aware State configuration on trigger sensors. This comprehensive package ensures you have all the tools you need for effective monitoring.
If you need Heartbeats as frequently as one minute, you can purchase HX Credits. The iMonnit HX Credits are used after your sensor has reported 144 data points in a day. Any number of data points for a single sensor over 144 will be charged from your HX Credits pool.
iMonnit Enterprise
1 second1
iMonnit Express
1 second1
Monnit MINE
1 second1
Using an ALTA Serial MODBUS Gateway
1 second1
Operating on a private MODBUS TCP or SNMP Interface on an Ethernet Gateway
The Heartbeat configuration when utilizing these interfaces is limited by the version of iMonnit Software used to configure the sensors. Monnit Sensors cannot be configured using the MODBUS TCP/SNMP Interface of an Ethernet Gateway.
Instead, you can configure your sensors using the desired iMonnit Software (with its set limitations), then disable the connection to iMonnit, and the sensors will maintain their configurations.
Therefore, the Heartbeat frequency of your sensors is limited to the version of software used to configure the sensors before unlocking and disabling the Default Interface of your Ethernet Gateway.