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MSI-DFAT Provides Products and Services to Meet Your Specific Testing Needs

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The MSI-DFAT test method uses a large number of speakers that surround the test article to create the acoustic test field. The speakers are controlled in zones and provide more flexibility than in a traditional reverberant test chamber. The DFAT test is most often controlled to simulate a diffuse field (as in a reverberant chamber), but it is also possible to target fields with other characteristics. This requires tight control of the microphones for good uniformity of the sound field and low coherence between them to avoid creating standing waves.

Flexible Acoustic Testing

About MSI-DFAT

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The MSI-DFAT System uses a building block approach to satisfy our client’s specific needs. The system is designed, built, and operated by experienced and qualified audio engineers to ensure accuracy. MSI-DFAT will perform the test on the spacecraft by a set of defined and documented procedures provided by MSI-DFAT or to the client’s specifications. MSI-DFAT systems are completely modular and mobile, allowing us to deliver to the client’s designated facility and complete a test in typically 3-4 days total. MSI-DFAT can provide DFAT Services and equipment through a rental or purchase agreements. The equipment is state-of-the-art, and our crews are committed to providing the highest level of service to exceed your expectations.

The convenience, low cost, and mobility of this method distinguish it from conventional testing and are the primary reasons for its growing popularity. The method is convenient because MSI brings all required sound systems, power generation and distribution, data acquisition and control equipment. All equipment is supplied for each test event. There is no large investment in a facility, equipment, or personnel required on the part of the customer. In addition, testing can be performed at a much lower cost per test compared to the installation, operation, and maintenance of a more standard high intensity reverberant acoustic chamber system. Finally, mobility allows this test method to be performed at almost any time and place in the normal test article integration and test flow. The test equipment is completely portable and no special facility or infrastructure is required.

Portable, Cost-Effective DFAT Solutions

About MSI-DFAT

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Expert vibro-acoustic consulting from the team that invented the method.

Expert Consulting

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Full lifecycle support for MSI-DFAT® equipment anywhere in the world.

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

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Add audio devices and MIMO control to supplement conventional reverberant systems.

Chamber Enhancement

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Purchase any of our MP™ series noise generation and control systems.

Equipment Sales

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We test your component at our Baltimore, Maryland facility.

In-house Testing

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We come to your facility with everything required to run a full DFAT® campaign.

On-site Testing

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View Spec Sheet

Capabilities

Services We Provide 

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Ariane

Minotaur

Soyuz

Atlas

Pegasus

Taurus

Delta

Proton

Titan

Falcon 9

Sea/Land Launch

Zenit

H-II

SLS

Centaur Vulcan

With over 275 years of combined engineering experience in spacecraft acoustic testing, we have provided accurate and reliable results since 1999. Our long-term clients include manufacturers like Orbital, Ball, ITT, Sandia, and JPL, while our projects include the NASA Mars Rover, Deep Impact, Orion, Dragon and Cloudsat. Our manufacturers create spacecraft for customers including DOD, commercial, and other government uses.​

Our Projects

MSI-DFAT® Qualified Launch Vehicles

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​Conducted the largest and loudest DFAT over a 40-foot tall Unit Under Test (UUT), surpassing 150 dB OASPL.

2023

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Advancement of MIMO narrowband control with rectangular configuration, allowing for up to 24 control microphones, enhancing spatial uniformity and coherence levels.

2018

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Collaboration with NASA to create the first DFAT guidelines, later published in NASA Handbook 7010 in 2016.

2012

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Progression from single-drive to multi-drive capabilities with narrowband Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) acoustic control.

2011

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Progression from single-drive to multi-drive capabilities with narrowband Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) acoustic control.

2010

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Introduction of Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) closed-loop control.

2003

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The first closed-loop control acoustic test with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) achieves 144 dB OASPL using a manual equalizer.

2000

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The first feasibility demonstration of DFAT achieves an impressive 134 decibels (dB) OASPL. The first commercial DFAN test for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) QUICKSCAT reaches 135 dB OASPL using single-drive manual control.

1998

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Component and sub-system acoustic testing begins at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

1994

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Direct Field Acoustic Testing first proposed for launch vehicle and large component testing

1966

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Direct Field Acoustic Testing Timeline

Direct field acoustic testing timeline

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Robert Goldstein

Founder/CEO

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Arthur "Art" Issacs

Lead Engineer

Arthur Isaacs is a well-traveled and experienced sound engineer with a career beginning in 1981. He has worked as a touring engineer and systems technician for many artists including Neil Young, Neil Diamond, and Dolly Parton. Art began working for MSI-DFAT at its conception in 1999. Since then, he has been on the forefront of new technologies within the DFAT industry, including maximizing SPL and uniformity within the field. Art’s attention to detail on each test ensures the client’s test specifications and data acquisition runs as seamlessly as possible.

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Michael "Sully" Sullivan

Lead Engineer

Michael “Sully” Sullivan is a graduate of Capitol Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Electronic Engineering and Acoustics. He began his career in the live sound reinforcement industry in 1984. From 1984 to 2004, Sully worked as a touring engineer and production manager with various national artists in the U.S. and abroad. He started working with MSI-DFAT in 2010, becoming integral in the research and development of DFAT systems. Sully’s leadership and problem-solving abilities make him a valuable resource to DFAT and clients alike.

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Alessandro  Carrella

VP Strategy & Growth

Alessandro ‘Alex’ Carrella has a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Naples (Italy) and was awarded a PhD in Structural Dynamics at the ISVR (University of Southampton, UK). He’s now completing his EMBA at the Universite Louvain-la-Neuve. Alex was a lecturer in Structural Dynamic at the Dept of Aerospace at the University of Bristol. From 2011 to 2020 he worked in different roles to develop testing solutions for the aerospace industry at Siemens (formerly LMS) in Leuven (Belgium). He has become a referent point for the Space Industry for vibration and acoustic testing. Alex has been a leading figure in advancing DFAT practices is an active member of the space testing community. Alex has joined MSI-DFAT to lead our international operations, and now shaping MSI’s future as VP for Strategy & Growth.

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Arloe "Wes" Mayne, III

Senior Staff PM/Engineer

Wes has worked with test facility development and testing for almost 40 years, including many aerospace acoustic test facilities around the world. Wes currently provides project management and vibroacoustic support for DFAT tests, including the largest DFAT tests that have been done anywhere to-date. He is also engaged in general customer interface, project development, DFAT system R&D, and vibroacoustic modeling. Customers can call Wes about any aspect of vibroacoustic testing and DFAT.

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Alan Merrick

Director Test Engineering

Alan Merrick is a graduate of San Diego State University of California with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Performed vibration and acoustic testing for aircraft engine nacelles and GM trucks. For 25 years, he led and then managed a team testing spacecraft and components with thermal vacuum, small and large vibration systems, reverberant and direct field acoustic test facilities at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Space Systems Loral (MAXAR) and MSI-DAFT Services. Alan provides years of hands-on test experience with instrumentation, control system and structural vibration setup, operation and trouble shooting.

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Marcos Underwood

Chief Scientis

Has a PhD in electrical engineering, in control and communication systems, from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and master’s degrees in mathematics from UCLA and structural engineering from San Jose State University, and a BS in mathematics and physics from California State University at LA. Dr. Underwood has worked with Philco-Ford Aeronutronic, Rockwell International Space Division on the Space Shuttle project and Hughes Helicopters in structural dynamics and acoustics, early in his career. Later, he worked with Spectral Dynamics (SD), GenRad, STI, and again with SD as their chief designer of their vibration and acoustic control and analysis systems and later held the positions of chief engineer, V.P. of engineering, and chief scientist. During his career he’s developed much of the fundamental digital technology now used for vibration and acoustic control and analysis and holds many of the key patents in the field. He’s been involved in the use, design, and development of control and analysis systems for vibration and acoustics for more than 50 years. He has authored numerous publications, is a fellow of the IEST, and is the chair of Working Group 022 of the IEST Design, Test, and Evaluation Division for recommended practice IEST RP DTE022, Multi-Shaker Test and Control. He’s currently the chief scientist at MSI DFAT from his consultancy, Tu’tuli Enterprises.

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Bradley Hope

U.S Sales Manager

Bradley holds a wealth of experience in acoustic and vibration test engineering customer relationship management, within the U.S. automotive and aerospace industries. Trained under the guidance of world-class vibro-acoustic experts at Siemens Digital Industries Software, Bradley brings deep commercial expertise to the MSI-DFAT team. Having collaborated intimately with countless clients on diverse Acoustic and Vibration testing projects, he possesses a strong understanding of the unique requirements within the vibro-acoustic test engineering community. Bradley is enthusiastic about contributing his knowledge and skills to support the customer-partners of the Maryland Sound International-Direct Field Acoustic Test (MSI-DFAT®) Company in their Direct Field Acoustic Noise testing campaigns.

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Max Myers

Systems Engineer/Lead Rigger

Max graduated from Sheffield Audio Institute in 2019 and began his professional career at Maryland Sound in early 2020 as an intern. He transitioned to MSI DFAT in mid-2020 as a sweep/repairs technician and has since become the lead rigger on test sites. Max also has proficiency in operating the system, ensuring quality test runs for our clients.

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Andrew Ingrao

Systems Engineer/Travel Coordinator

As a DFAT System Technician with 17 years of experience in the television industry, Andrew strives to bring people together to work towards one common goal. A firm believer that it takes the sum of all parts to be successful. Everybody counts! Andrew works with our clients and partners to help organize DFAT tests, purchases, and travel.

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Logan Avery

Design Engineer

Graduated from the Shiley Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San Diego in 2022, then joined MSI-DFAT later that year. Assists the team with the design, prototyping, revision, and application processes of MSI DFAT systems.

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Matt "Peaches" Shinault

Assembly Chief/Inventory Manager

Matt “Peaches” Shinault moved to Maryland from Atlanta, GA in 2018 and began working for Maryland Sound shortly after. He transitioned to working for DFAT in early 2022 where he manages final assembly of all custom boxes built in house. Matt loves the family environment of MSI DFAT and the work he gets to do every day.

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Alexander O'Malley

Vibroacoustic Test Engineer

Alexander “Xander” O’Malley is a Vibroacoustic Test Engineer at MSI DFAT, supporting testing, data analysis, and R&D projects. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2025 and is continuing at JHU to pursue an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering while working. He has a background in the space and defense aerospace sectors, including work at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory developing a lunar geotechnical probe, as well as internships at Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems focused on manufacturing, testing, and mechanical system integration.

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Scott Salvatore

System Technician

Scott is an accomplished professional with over half a decade of experience in the audio industry. His expertise in audio engineering and music production has been the cornerstone of his career. Recently, he has delved into the field of aerospace, focusing on direct-field acoustic testing. Scott aspires to integrate his diverse skills, aiming to make significant contributions to the ever-evolving aerospace industry.

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Thomas Briggs III

Trucking & Logistics

Thomas has had his commercial driver’s license for 27 years and a valid For-Hire Driver’s License through the Transportation division of the Maryland Public Service Commission for over 25 years. Currently, Thomas serves as Lead CDL Driver for Maryland Sound International/DFAT, driving all throughout the United States and Canada. Thomas is knowledgeable and skilled in DOT rules and regulations.

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Matt Polk

Partner & Cabinet Designer

Bio Coming Soon

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John Quinn

Finance

Bio Coming Soon

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Meet Our DFAT Team

MSI-DFAT

Howard Kitts

Master Carpenter

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Will Parker

Master Carpenter

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Meet Our Woodshop Team

MSI-DFAT

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Contact us at info@msidfat.com or fill out the form below.

Questions?

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