Wyle has a long history of significant contributions to the technologies associated with high-intensity acoustic testing systems. In the 1960s, Wyle developed the first high-power, linearly controllable electro-pneumatic noise source, the WAS-3000.
Wyle developed reverberant and progressive wave testing facilities for its own use and, in 1967, began to design and construct similar facilities for an impressive list of major aerospace contractors. These customers include Perkin Elmer, RCA Astro-Electronics, GE Space Systems, Martin Marietta, McDonnell Douglas and TRW.
Wyle offers specialized expertise in turnkey facility development in which Wyle is responsible for all aspects of facility design and construction, as well as the resultant performance of the facility.
Wyle also has developed a series of standard subsystems and components including:
Acoustic Modulator - The WAS (Wyle Acoustic
Source) -3000, is an electro-pneumatic noise source rated at 30 kW
output, with either sine or random wave input, over a frequency range
of 25 to 10,000 Hz. The WAS-3000 is primarily used in acoustic test
chambers where it can generate overall sound pressure levels up to 165
dB. Higher sound pressure levels can be attained in very small volume
enclosures, and/or multiple modulators. The Wyle Acoustic Source
(WAS) 5000 acoustic transducer is an electro-pneumatic noise source
rated at 10 kW output over a frequency range of 25 to 5,000 Hz.
Primarily used in acoustic test chambers, the WAS provides the full
range of noise evaluation of large components for spacecraft, missile
and advanced aircraft systems. The WAS 5000 can reproduce exact sine wave, random noise and sine-random combinations. In reverberent chambers, the units can generate overall sound pressure levels up to 160 dB.
High Intensity Acoustic Horns - Wyle horns can be provided for cut-off frequencies from 10 to 200 Hz and are fabricated from fiberglass reinforced polyester resin. The horns can accept either the WAS-3000 or WAS-5000 modulator or a noise source from another manufacturer.
High Intensity Noise Doors - Wyle also provides doors suitable for acoustic environments up to 165 dB are available with sound transmission losses as high as 70 dB at 500 Hz. Personnel doors suitable for acoustic environments are manually operated, while larger doors (up to 500 ton or 453 tonne) are provided with powered operators.
Wyle Acoustic Control System (ACS) - This is a state-of-the-art, closed-loop controller for acoustic test facilities. Wyle has provided six ACS’s to satellite manufacturers including Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, Calif; Lockheed Martin in Denver, Colo.; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and Mitsubishi Electronics in Kamakura, Japan. The first commercial installation of an ACS was for Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale and this system has performed well during the control of numerous satellite tests over the last three years. Wyle is using the same system in its El Segundo, Calif. facility.
Safety Interlock and Facility Control - These are modern systems based on the latest PLC and graphic, 
touch-screen techniques. The latest of these systems was used to replace older systems at Lockheed Martin B/156 in Sunnyvale, Calif. The system controls two separate reverberation chambers, including the nitrogen and supply system, 16 amplifiers, HVAC, oxygen monitoring, etc. All of the systems and states are shown graphically on the touch-screen monitor used for control.
For more information, please contact Wyle at:
service@wyle.com