Hawk Baseboard and IO Card Details
Learn about the details of the Hawk PCBs and the IO cards
Written by Matthew Clark-Massera
Updated at April 16th, 2026
Table of Contents
The Hawk is sold in components.
Each IO card has 9 available Input/Outputs. This allows for a variety of sensor-monitoring applications and input combinations to be catered for on the same device.
Additionally, if you have a specific set of inputs to monitor, we can manufacture a new IO card to cater for your requirements (MOQs apply).
Please Note
With the launch of the Hawk Lite, the original Hawk Baseboard has been renamed the Hawk Pro.
Hawk Pro - Baseboard
This is the classic version of the HAWK-4G.
The baseboard handles the cellular connectivity, and external power connections and has a single Digital Input available. There are 9 x I/O pins, which are used by the I/O cards. Their function is determined by what card is inserted.
Hawk Pro NTN - Baseboard
This is a new and improved version of the HAWK-4G, allowing for new features like magnetic activation satellite connectivity (available in a post-launch FW update).
The baseboard handles the cellular connectivity, satellite connectivity (in a future FW update), external power connections and magnetic activation and has a single Digital Input available. There are also 9 x I/O pins, which are used by the I/O cards. Their function is determined by what card is inserted.
Hawk Lite- BaseBoard
This version of the baseboard makes it compatible with lower-energy batteries.
The baseboard handles the cellular connectivity, and external power connections and has a single Digital Input available. There are 9 x I/O pins, which are used by the I/O cards. Their function is determined by what card is inserted.
I/O Cards
Allows the device to be connected to various interfaces. Current cards are listed below
Baseboard pinout
The Hawks have the following 12 lines available on their screw-in terminal header
I/Os 1-9 are the I/Os used by the specific Plug-in-board. Card-specific mappings are detailed below.
DIG1, GND and VIN are standard Hawk baseboard pins, irrespective of the PCB variant.
Current Limits
Hawk Pro
SWGND: 1A
3.3V Out: 150mA
Vboost (5V/12V): 200mA
Hawk Pro NTN
SWGND: 1A
3.3V Out: 150mA
Vboost (5V/12V): 200mA
Hawk Lite
SWGND: 1A
3.3V Out: 150mA
Vboost (5V): 120mA
Vboost (12V) 50mA
Note: Theoretically higher currents are possible but will drain the Alkaline batteries extremely quickly.
I/O Cards
Agtech1
Hawk IO |
Function |
1 |
SDI-12 |
2 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
3 |
Switched Ground Output |
4 |
I²C SDA |
5 |
3.3V output |
6 |
I²C SCL |
7 |
Card Digital Input |
8 |
1-Wire |
9 |
4-20mA |
Agtech2
Hawk IO |
Details |
1 |
SWGND |
2 |
SDI-12 |
3 |
+3.3V OUT |
4 |
1-Wire |
5 |
Analog Input 1 |
6 |
Analog Input 2 |
7 |
Analog Input 3 |
8 |
Analog Input 4 |
9 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
RS-1 Card
Hawk IO |
Function |
1 |
Analogue Input 1 |
2 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
3 |
RS485 B |
4 |
RS485 A |
5 |
3.3V output |
6 |
SWGND |
7 |
Card Digital Input |
8 |
1-Wire |
9 |
4-20mA |
Serial Card
Hawk IO |
Details |
1 |
SWGND |
2 |
Analogue Input |
3 |
Digital Input 1 |
4 |
Digital Input 2 |
5 |
RS232 RX |
6 |
RS2332 TX |
7 |
TTL RX |
8 |
TTL TX |
9 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
Bluetooth+ Card
Hawk IO |
Details |
1 |
4-20mA Input |
2 |
Analog Input 1 |
3 |
|
4 |
Digital Input 1 |
5 |
I2C Clock (SCL) |
6 |
I2C Data (SDA) |
7 |
|
8 |
|
9 |
Note: The Bluetooth+ Card also has a Bluetooth module: BGM240PA22VNA3.
Digital Card
Hawk IO |
Details |
1 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
2 |
SWGND |
3 |
Analog Input 1 |
4 |
Analog Input 2 |
5 |
Digital Input 1 |
6 |
Digital Input 2 |
7 |
Digital Input 3 |
8 |
Digital Input 4 |
9 |
Digital Input 5 |
4-20mA Card
Hawk IO |
Details |
1 |
4-20mA 1 In |
2 |
4-20mA 1 Out |
3 |
4-20mA 2 In |
4 |
4-20mA 2 Out |
5 |
4-20mA 3 In |
6 |
4-20mA 3 Out |
7 |
4-20mA 4 In |
8 |
4-20mA 4 Out |
9 |
+VBOOST OUT (5V/12V) |
