Study Management and Data Collection

Starting and Stopping Studies

1. What is the difference between a Module Study, Sound Study, and Quick Start Study?
2. What modules support a Module Study?
3. Can I start a study from my computer?
4. Can I stop all studies from the Smart Station at the same time?
5. Can I schedule studies to automatically start or stop?

Study Duration and Active Timer

1. What is the Active Timer? 
2. How long can I run a Module Study using the Core Module?

Sample and Logging Intervals

1. Is the data time-stamped? 
2. How often do modules collect data? What is the sample interval and logging interval?
3. How is data collected? Is it averaged over the sampling or logging intervale?

Logging Behavior

1. Why does the Module Actively Logging banner dissapear when I start a Quick Start or Sound Study, even though my Core module is still logging a remote study?
2. Can the modules log data independently? 

Sensor Placement Recommendations

1. Can the modules be used as wearables? 
2. Are the modules affected by placement (i.e. height or location in a room)?

 

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Starting and Stopping Studies

1. What is the difference between a Module Study, Sound Study, and Quick Start Study?

   • Quick Start Study: This study is available for all modules.  Data is logged on the Smart Station, so a continuous Bluetooth connection is required.  If the connection is lost, data collected during that time is not recorded.  If a Quick Start Study is used with an SLM module, the most recently selected sound parameters will be assumed.
   • Sound Study: This study is specific to Sound Level Meter modules.  Like Quick Start Studies, data is logged on the Smart Station and required a Bluetooth connection.  It includes options to select which parameters to record and prompts for pre- and post-calibration.  
   • Module Study: This type of study is available for the Core module only.  Data is logged directly on the Core module itself, allowing it to be out of Bluetooth range during the study without losing data.  The Smart Station is needed to start and stop the study, but not to maintain the connection throughout.  
      

2. What modules support a Module Study?

   • Currently, only the Core module supports a Module Study.  We plan to expand this capability to other modules in future updates.

3. Can I start a study from my computer?

   • No.  Studies can only be started from the Smart Station.

4. Can I stop all studies from the Smart Station at the same time?

   • No.  The Smart Station cannot remotely stop studies running on modules, as it does not maintain constant awareness of the modules logging independently.

5. Can I schedule studies to automatically start or stop?

   • No.  Studies must be manually started and stopped from the Smart Station while it is connected and within Bluetooth range of the module(s).

Study Duration and Active Timer

1. What is the Active Timer?

   The Active Timer shows how much time has elapsed since a Module Study was started on the Core module.  It continues to count even when the study is paused. 

2. How long can I run a Module Study using the Core Module?

   Module studies (data logging on the module) will automatically stop after 24 hours if not manually ended sooner.  The recorded data is fully retained and can be downloaded and processed as usual. 

Sample and Logging Intervals

1. Is the data time-stamped? 

   Yes.  All data is automatically time-stamped and synchronized across all connected modules during a study.

2. How often do modules collect data? What is the sample interval and logging interval?

• Sample Interval: How often the instrument takes a sample / reading.
• Logging interval: how often the instrument records a measurement for storage and reporting.
  • Quick Start Studies & Sound Studies (all modules)
    • Sample Interval: Fixed at 1 second
    • Logging interval: Fixed at 1 second
  • Module Studies (Core module)
    • Sample Interval:
      • CO2 sensor: fixed at 5 seconds
      • All other sensors: fixed at 1 second
    • Logging Interval:
      • User-selectable options from 1 second to 30 minutes
      • Default setting: 1 minute

1.  How is data collected? Is it averaged over the sampling or logging intervale?

   No, the data is not averaged.  A real-time measurement is taken at each sampling interval and recorded as-is – providing a true snapshot at each point in time. 

Logging Behavior

1. Why does the Module Actively Logging banner dissapear when I start a Quick Start or Sound Study, even though my Core module is still logging a remote study?

   When you start a Module Study, a green banner on the Numeric Data Card will appear stating ‘Module Actively Logging’ along with an active timer.
   However, if a Quick Start Study or Sound Study is started, the Sensor Data screen will only show the modules included in that study.  Any Core module running a remote study is excluded from view.
   
   In this case, the Quick Start study screen overrides the live Sensor Data screen.  Because the Core module isn’t part of that study, its data card – and the green logging banner – will not appear.
   
   Once the Quick Start or Sound Study ends, the green ‘Module Actively Logging’ banner will be visible again on the Sensor Data screen for the Core module.
    

2. Can the modules log data independently? 

   The Core module supports on-module data logging when using a ‘Module Study.’  It only needs to be within Bluetooth range to start and stop the study – data collection continues even if it moves out of range.
   
   Alternatively, it can log data via the Smart Station using a ‘Quick Start Study.’
   
   All other modules can only log data through the Smart Station using a ‘Quick Start Study’ or ‘Sound Study,’ and must stay within Bluetooth range for the entire duration.
    

Sensor Placement Recommendations

1. Can the modules be used as wearables? 

   While the modules can be carried or worn, they are not specifically designed as wearable devices.  TSI does not currently provide accessories for body-worn devices.

2. Are the modules affected by placement (i.e. height or location in a room)?

   Yes.  For accurate and representative readings, avoid placing modules near air vents, windows, heat sources, or stagnant air pockets.  Moderate ambient airflow improves sensor performance.  Do not seal or enclose the module.