SONITUS FAQs
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How do I set up and start a measurement?
Just connect the microphone and plug in the EM2010/30 and measurement starts automatically. The monitor will continue logging sound levels until power is removed. Changing the measurement settings is simple too. The user interface to the EM2010/30 is through a web browser over Wi-Fi link, so you can connect using a laptop or smart phone. We know it can be difficult to make changes to configurations when equipment is already installed. So the EM2010/30 is different, there are no small buttons or screens and no complicated menus to look through when you are on site. Simply connect the the Wi-Fi network and log in using your favourite browser. You can download readings, calibrate the monitor and change the measurement set up. Then just reboot the system and your changes are applied.
What happens if the power goes off?
The EM2010 is fully automated so it will just start measuring again as soon as power comes back on. And what's more, we will know if your measurement site goes down. Our performance monitoring software checks to ensure that your measurement site is reporting on schedule, so if power goes off we will email you to let you know.
How do the communications and remote upload work?
The EM2010/30 comes with a GSM modem installed. You can either utilise an inbuilt international SIM that works on the local 3G/GSM network or you can install your own local SIM. Readings are automatically uploaded to an external database every day so that you can access everything online. The cloud based software lets you manage your measurement sites and analyse your data. Should you use the inbuilt international SIM there is no need for a phone contract or trying to configure network settings. The data costs are part of our pricing model and are covered by an annual payment.
How do I access the readings?
When you receive one of our sound level monitoring stations we provide a secure login to our website which gives access to all your readings. Using this platform you can access raw data files, plot graphs, export spreadsheets and set up automated analysis functions for processing your data.
How do I calibrate the EM2010/EM2030?
Calibration is simple and fast. Carefully remove the microphone from the weatherproof protection assembly and place a standard acoustic calibrator (1/2") on the end. Connect to the EM2010 over the Wi-Fi interface and select the calibration option. Press the start button and the system will run the calibration program. The system will present an updated calibration value which you can choose to apply or ignore. Once you apply a new value the system will restart and begin measuring with your new settings.
Are 15min alarms possible?
What is the battery life of the Sonitus Field Kit?
Is the battery life affected by the logging interval?
No. The major source of power consumption is the modem and Wi-Fi. Upload schedule has the biggest influence on battery power. Where audio capture is activated, this will also have a large impact on battery life.
What is low power mode?
Lower power mode is a new software update available on all models from EM2030 onwards. This will switch off the Wi-Fi after a preset number of minutes. This results in about 20% power saving. In order to connect to the unit once WiFi has been switched off, the unit must be rebooted.
Will the Sonitus send me an Alert if it isn't logging data?
You can set up a 'connectivity alert' to send an email when then unit has not uploaded data after a set period of time. This alert can only be sent once a day.
When will the unit start logging once i turn it on?
Depending on what the logging interval is set to, the monitor begins logging on the next even slot. So for example, if you were to power on a monitor at 10:33, the behaviour would be as follows 30 min logging -> start at 11:00 15 min logging -> start at 10:45 10 min logging -> start at 10:40 5 min logging -> start at 10:35 1 min logging -> start at 10:34
How quickly after a breech will I receive an alert?
Noise limit breeches are calculated based on a period average. Data is uploaded and processed every 15min. Alerts are sent out a few minutes after the upload has been completed.
What is the audio option?
Audio capture is an additional package that allows audio recording for up to 1 minute on a sound based trigger. This allows further investigation into the source of high levels. This feature must be organised on purchase of the instrument and can not be activated remotely.
What is the frequency analysis option?
This is an additional feature that is available with the Sonitus package that enables 1/3 or 1/1 octave analysis. This feature may be activated remotely by the Sonitus team should you wish to purchase it as an add on package to your existing Sonitus Noise Logger.
When I turn the unit off for the day how do I get that days data if it only uploads at fixed times, once a day?
The monitor uploads every 15 minutes. So readings should be almost up to date whenever power is removed. As soon as power is restored the monitor will upload the latest results that are stored and then begin a new measurement.
Is it possible to transfer the data via any means other than GPRS?
Data transfer across the Wi-Fi link is not possible at the moment, but it is planned for next year. It is possible to add an Ethernet port, but it is a factory option and needs to be organised at the time of purchase.
Do I need a rain hat for the Sonitus EM2010/EM2030 Microphone?
The windshield is made of a high quality material that has been treated to wick rain water. No rain hat required.
What is the typical data usage of a unit?
A unit operating with 5min intervals uses less than 3Mb per day (no audio). 1 min interval will use slightly more. 100MB per month plan is generally sufficient. If you have audio actvated, 1GB per month is usually sufficient.
Is it possible to install a local 3G SIM into the unit?
Yes. You will be responsinle for your own data charges and the annual subscription fee will be reduced.
Can I access the WIFI user interface remotely?
The monitor needs to be on and you need to be within WIFI range which is approximately 100m.
Within the chart view of the data visualisation tool can I toggle different trends on and off?
Yes, simply click on the data label below the chart header to toggle the trend line for this data on or off. The data options include L90, L10, LAeq and LAFmax.
What happens if I do not pay my yearly subscription?
The monitor will still work as per normal however you will have no access to the online platform. The international SIM card will be deactivated if it is in use. If a local SIM card is in use it won't be able to communicate with the web platform. This means no post processing, alerts, or remote support access. If you wish to let your subscription lapse with the option of renewal in the future and you are not set up with a local SIM you must arrange to have the unit settings changed to accept local sims prior to your disconnection. You will need to send the unit back to Ireland if this is not done before communications with the international SIM have been cut. Without a communciations package the unit can still be used and the data accessed directly from the unit.
Are there alarming options via email and/or SMS?
Yes. You can set alarms on the "Monitor" page of the web platform. We refer to these as Limits and you have the option to receive an email or SMS alert from the webplatform when a limit is breached. SMS's are not sent directly from the unit. When you are on the monitor page just click on "Manage Limits" to set up these alerts. There is a link to a tutorial once you get to the limit page.
What is the sample rate of the audio recording?
96kHz sample rate, 16-bit audio
Is there a time limit on the audio recording?
1 minute maximum (30 seconds pre-event and 30-seconds post-event)
What is the noise floor of the EM2010/EM2030 unit?
The noise floor on this unit is 20dB(A).
Can we change settings via the Sonitus Systems Web platform?
Almost! This feature is currently under development and should be released soon. Currently, audio capture settings can be changed remotely and if you are in a sticky situation Sonitus Support can log into the instrument and manage any settings chnages you may need. Please contact us if you need to access your instrument remotely.
Can I import my noise data into AvaNet?
Yes. You can import Noise data into AvaNet or Vibration Data into the Sonitus Cloud. Please contact Resonate Systems if you would like to explore these datahubs further.
Is 33db-121dB dynamic range adjustable?
The linear range which we test is 30-120dB(A). This is not adjustable.
Is there an option to do 15min rolling averages?
Yes. Please contact RESONATE SYSTEMS if you would like this set up.
Have you ever had a request for a criterion line on the real time data plot?
Yes, we do get requests for this. There are a couple of reasons we have never implemented it; For non-expert users it is confusing - the alerts are usually based on an LAeq average, but users expert an alert when a single measurement (LAeq or Lmax) shows a breach. Where there are different time frames or various limits the plot gets quite busy - we generally try to stay on the side of simplicity to cater for all users. The more functionality we open up the more complicated the platform gets. We can activate these types of features in the background for expert users but do not show it as standard.
Is it possible to Audio trigger off a an octave band peak rather than overall peak?
Not yet, it is on the table as a new feature for future releases. Please contact us if you would like any further information.
What is the maximum size of an audio recording?
At 96kHz, 16 bit audio and 1min max recordings: 1546kb/s ... 92.16Mb .. 11.52MBA 1 minute recording will be 11.52MB.
Can I mount the microphone to a tripod?
The bottom of the stainless steel microphone mount has a 1/4" thread which will fit onto a camera tripod. You can buy small adapters for the top of survey tripods for heavy duty installations. These maybe avaibale locally from any surveyor or geotechnical equipment provider.
What does the standard Data package include?
The standard data subscription package covers everything that the monitor and web system are expected to do for 12 months. Bundled into the fee are the SIM charges, access the cloud platform, SMS alerts, and any support needed to keep your projects running. We also do some performance monitoring on the equipment to detect any faults e.g. disconnected microphone or comms issues.