PCB Piezotronics Larson Davis SoundAdvisor NMS044 User manual

Larson Davis
SoundAdvisor
Model NMS044
Reference Manual

NMS044 Reference Manual i-2
Copyright
Copyright 2021, by PCB Piezotronics, Inc. This manual is copyrighted, with all rights reserved. The manual may not be copied
in whole or in part for any use without prior written consent of PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
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of Apple, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. IOS is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems in the U.S. and in other coun-
tries. SoundAdvisor 831C is a trademark of PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
Disclaimer
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Even though PCB Piezotronics, Inc. has reviewed its documentation, PCB Piezotronics Inc. makes no warranty or representa-
tion, either expressed or implied, with respect to this instrument and documentation, its quality, performance, merchantabil-
ity, or fitness for a particular purpose. This documentation is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as
a commitment or representation by PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
This publication may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. PCB Piezotronics, Inc. will periodically update the material
for inclusion in new editions. Changes and improvements to the information described in this manual may be made at any
time.
Safety
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by Larson Davis, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
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scious. When this product reaches its end of life, please recycle the product through a local recycling center or return the prod-
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Attn: Recycling Coordinator
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Warranty
For warranty information, refer to the Larson Davis Product Warranty page.

NMS044 Reference Manual, Rev G ii-1
Table of Contents
Module 1 System Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1
1.1 System Contents
1.2 Optional Accessories
1.3 Understanding NMS044 Power Consumption
Module 2 Getting Started - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9
2.1 Completing System Assembly
2.2 Establishing Service for the Gateway
2.3 Connecting the Gateway to Cellular Service
2.4 Reviewing 831C SLM System Properties for Use With NMS044
2.5 Using SoundLink
Module 3 Installing the NMS System - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
3.1 Assembling Travel Packs
3.2 Assembling the EPS2116 and Preamplifier
3.3 Installing the Pole and EPS2116
3.4 Connecting the Solar Panel
3.5 Powering On the NMS044 System
3.6 Calibrating the Sound Level Meter
3.7 Conducting a Final Equipment Check
Module 4 Making Measurements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
4.1 Configuring a Measurement Setup
4.2 Downloading and Viewing Measurement Data
Appendix A Additional System Information- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A-1
A.1 System LED Indications
A.2 Shipping and Storage Requirements
A.3 Understanding 831C SLM Connections
A.4 Updating NMS044 for Modem Low Power
A.5 Configuring the Gateway for Larson Davis Instruments
Appendix B Technical Specifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - B-1
B.1 Physical Characteristics
B.2 Declaration of Conformity

NMS044 Reference Manual 1
Module 1 System Overview
The SoundAdvisor Model NMS044 noise monitoring system is the practical
solution to short- or long-term, unattended sound level monitoring. Power is
supplied by a 12-Volt battery, charged by a solar panel, which is positioned in
an area where sunlight is most available.
In this module:
1.1 System Contents .................................................................................................................1-2
1.2 Optional Accessories ...........................................................................................................1-5
1.3 Understanding NMS044 Power Consumption ...................................................................1-6
Figure 1-1 EPS044/NMS044 Features
1. Reliable and Durable The system
(including the battery, charge controller,
antennas, modem, and SLM) is enclosed in a
durable case. The environmentally-
protected, prepolarized microphone and
preamplifier provide reliable acoustic
measurements.
2. Portable, Easily Deployed System
The system weighs as little as 50 lb (23 kg).
This enables one person to deliver and set up
the system in only a few minutes. The
NMS044 can be deployed, before, during, or
after you setup the 831C.
3. Remote Connectivity Access and
control the system remotely by connecting to
the gateway via a cellular network on your
mobile phone or PC. Using LD Atlas (mobile)
or G4 LD Utility (PC), view and download data
anytime.
4. Low Power Consumption When
enabled and used in conjunction with the low
power cable, the modem low power mode
runs basic features with exceptionally low
power consumption. When a solar panel is
part of the system, a minimal amount of
sunlight is needed to reboot in case a power
loss occurs. Using solar power, the system
charges to capacity in only a few hours.
5. Continuous Sound Measurement
When using Continuous Run Mode, if the
battery is ever close to depleted, the system
is designed to save the current measurement
data and shut down safely. When the battery
is sufficiently recharged, the system powers
on and the previous measurement continues.
4.
3.
1, 2
5.
1

NMS044 Reference Manual System Contents 2
1.1 System Contents
In this section, review your system contents to identify items received.
• NMS Systems: Outdoor Equipment for Environmental Noise Monitoring
• EPS Kits: Outdoor Equipment for Environmental Noise Monitoring
NMS Systems: Outdoor Equipment for Environmental Noise Monitoring
NMS systems are identified here in terms of the battery type and solar panel size. Table
1.3 shows which NMS systems use EPS044-SLA kits or EPS044-LFP kits for power and lists
system contents. See Figure 1-2 for an image of each item.
Figure 1-2 Images of NMS044 Systems Contents
5.
1. 6a. or 6b.
3.
4a. OR
7.
4b.
2.
Table 1.3 Description of NMS044 Systems Contents
Kit#
Contents
*Kit is available as:
kit # -U: EMEA modem, PSA039 with
U.S. plug
kit # -E: EMEA modem, PSA039 with Int’l
plug
kit # -A: APAC modem, PSA039 with
I nt’l plug
NMS044-SLA100*
NMS044-SLA60*
NMS044-LFP100*
NMS044-LFP60*
NMS044-KIT1-U
NMS044RI-SLA100-U
1. SoundAdvisor 831C Sound Level
Meter (831C)
with Firmware Options
831C-ELA, 831C-LOG, 831C-SW
X X X X X

NMS044 Reference Manual System Contents 3
2. G4 LD Utility Software X X X X X
3. RV50X cellular gateway with GPS
antenna (COM-RV50X)
X X X X X
4a. 60 W Solar Panel kit (SLP001) X X
4b. 100 W Solar Panel kit (SLP002) X X X
5. Environmental Protection for
Outdoor Acoustic Equipment Kit
(EPS2116)
X X X X X
6a. Preamplifier/Mic Combo:
PRM2103FF & 377B02 X X X X
6b. Preamplifier/Mic Combo:
PRM2103FF & 377C20 X
7. Cables & Adapters:
Signal cable with LP Mode (CBL222LP)
Gateway to power block cable
(CBL223)
Gateway to SLM power switch cable
(CBL218)
USB to micro-B cable for system setup
(CBL138)
2-port USB Adapter (DVX015)
120 V AC Battery Charger Adapter
(PSA039)
X X X X X
EPS044-SLA Kit
See Figure 1-4 for kit contents. X X X
EPS044-LFP Kit
See Figure 1-4 for kit contents. X X
Table 1.3 (Continued)Description of NMS044 Systems Contents
Kit#
Contents
*Kit is available as:
kit # -U: EMEA modem, PSA039 with
U.S. plug
kit # -E: EMEA modem, PSA039 with Int’l
plug
kit # -A: APAC modem, PSA039 with
I nt’l plug
NMS044-SLA100*
NMS044-SLA60*
NMS044-LFP100*
NMS044-LFP60*
NMS044-KIT1-U
NMS044RI-SLA100-U

NMS044 Reference Manual System Contents 4
EPS Kits: Outdoor Equipment for Environmental Noise Monitoring
Table 1.5 lists the contents of 3 outdoor environmental kits. See Figure 1-4 for images of
each item.
Figure 1-4 Images of EPS044-SLA, EPS044-LFP, and EPS044 Kit Contents
Table 1.5 Description of EPS044-SLA, EPS044-LFP, and EPS044 Kit Contents
Contents (See Figure 1-4) EPS044-SLA EPS044-LFP EPS044
1a. 35 Ah 12 V SLA Battery (BAT020) X
1b. 45 Ah 12 V LiFePo Battery (BAT019) X
2. Telescoping pole (ACC010) XX X
3a. Solar Charge Controller for SLA (PSA038) XX
3b. Solar Charge Controller for Lithium (PSA044) X
4. 831C to power block cable (CBL224) XX X
5. Fused battery cable (CBL225-01) XX X
6. Charge control to power block cable (CBL226) XX X
7. Solar Panel to solar charger cable (CBL228) XX X
8. Durable and protective case kit (CCS051)
See Table 1.6 for kit contents. XX X
Foam spacer for SLA battery X
Kit Accessories: canvas bag, guy wire ring, pole
stabilization lines and stakes
X X X
1a.
1b.
3a, 3b
7. 8.
OR
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.

NMS044 Reference Manual Optional Accessories 5
1.2 Optional Accessories
Hardware
• 32 GB USB Flash Storage (831-MEM32G)
• Precision Acoustic Calibrator (CAL200)
Firmware
Sound Recording Firmware (831C-SR)
The optional Sound Recording firmware upgrade enables you to make event-based and
manual sound recordings in WAV or OGG format. Recordings are stored in the
measurement data and can be shared via email.
Scheduling Firmware (831C-SCH)
Table 1.6 Description and Images of Durable and Protective Case Kit (CCS051)
Contents
1. Environmentally protective case
2. Metal case plate
3. Power distribution block (underneath case plate)
4. Super clamp for pole attachment
Rubber Stoppers (2) one for CBL222-08 or CBL222-20,
and one for EXC cable (application depends on the
chosen preamplifier; see Figure A-6 or Figure A-7)
Kit Accessories: silicone grease for cable glands, hook
and loop straps, cable ties, solar ring tool
1.
2.
3.
4.

NMS044 Reference Manual Understanding NMS044 Power Consumption 6
The optional Scheduling firmware upgrade (831C-SCH) enables you to conserve system
power and data usage while conducting measurements based on a repeatable weekly
schedule with schedule blocks for the following functions:
• Meter Run, Stop, Store
• Specific Measurement Trigger Levels
• Alert Notifications
• RV50X Modem Low Power
All features of the firmware option are accomplished by using G4 LD Utility software. For
more information, contact your sales representative or see the SoundAdvisor 831C
Manual, Module 6, which is available on the included Larson Davis USB drive or at
www.LarsonDavis.com.
Software
LD Atlas App for Mobile
With an established cellular connection, you can use the LD Atlas app to communicate
with the SoundAdvisor™ 831C SLM. LD Atlas is available for Android® from the Google
Play Store®, or for IOS® from the iTunes Store®1. To install the app: open the app store on
your mobile device, search for “LD Atlas,” and follow the prompts.
1.3 Understanding NMS044 Power Consumption
We recommend the following three ideas to make the most of your available power. The
first is a basic formula you can use to estimate your system’s daily power consumption.
The second is to employ the modem low power feature as an effective means to decrease
system power consumption. The third is to explore helpful resources to better
understand the recommendations and requirements of using a solar panel to recharge
battery power.
In this section:
• Estimating Power Consumption
• Understanding the Modem Low Power Feature
• Making the Most of Your Sunlight Hours
Estimating Power Consumption
To estimate how much power your system requires per 24 hours, use the formula shown
in Figure 1-7.
1. See the inside front cover of this manual for trademark information.

NMS044 Reference Manual Understanding NMS044 Power Consumption 7
Figure 1-7 Formula for Average Watt-hours Used Per Day
To estimate the system run time in days, based on the available battery power, calculate
the following:
Figure 1-8 Formula for Days of Available Battery Power in Watt-hours
Understanding the Modem Low Power Feature
Modem Low Power is an 831C system property that can be enabled or disabled to
facilitate your use. When enabled, the gateway is powered down except for these
periods:
• when the 831C SLM powers it on to send alert notifications
• when the SLM sends a file to the cloud (SFTP, Dropbox, etc.)
• During the scheduled awake period (via 831C-SCH optional firmware add-on)
An NMS044 system purchased later than July 1, 2020 comes ready to use modem low
power, with the power cable (CBL222LP) and SLM firmware (version 4.5 or later). To
prepare an NMS system purchased prior to July 1, 2020 for low power, see “Updating
NMS044 for Modem Low Power” on page A-8 .
When modem low power mode is used in conjunction with the 831C Scheduling option
(add-on 831C-SCH), additional power savings and regulation are possible. This option
allows you to schedule measurements as well as periods when the modem uses low
power. For more information on the 831C Scheduling option, open G4 LD Utility, and
navigate to Help Manuals G4 LD Utility ManualModule 6.3.
P24hr = 24 (1.3 W + t (2.05 Watts))
24
t = time, in hours, that the modem is powered on
Battery (Wh)
(P24hr x 2)
Estimated
Run Time (days) =
Battery Capacity (Wh):
BAT020: 35 Ah SLA Battery = 420 Wh
BAT019: 45 Ah LiFPo Battery = 540 Wh
“2” = 50% safety factor to account for battery temperature
effects and aging