High quality noise and vibration measurements outside of a laboratory environment on real life structures and applications are not trivial. True boundary and operating conditions enforce unique challenges on the measurements. Measurements in hazardous situations such as high magnetic fields, and high temperature environments, etc., where ordinary measurement equipment and methods may not be employed, require further precautions. Post measurements objectives such as analysis, design and strategic decisions, e.g., control, rely heavily on the quality and integrity of the measurements (data).

The quality of the experimental data is highly correlated with the on-field expertise. Practical or hands-on experience with measurements can be imparted to prospective students, researchers and technicians in the form of laboratory experiments involving real equipment and practical applications. However, achieving expertise in the field of sound and vibration measurements in general and their active control in particular is a time consuming and expensive process. Consequently most institutions can only afford a single setup, resulting in the compromise of the quality of expertise.

In this thesis, the challenges in the field of sound and vibration measurements in high magnetic field are addressed. The analysis and measurement of vibration transferred from an operational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to adjacent floors is taken as an example. Improvised experimental measurement methods and custom-made frequency analysis techniques are proposed in order to address the challenges and study the vibration transfer. The methods may be extended to other operational industrial machinery and hazardous environments. To encourage and develop expertise in the field of acoustic/vibration measurements and active noise control on practical test beds, remotely controlled laboratory setups are introduced. The developed laboratory setup, which is accessed and controlled via the Internet, is the first of its kind in the active noise control and acoustic measurements area. The laboratory setup can be shared and utilized 24/7 globally, thus reducing the associated costs and eliminating time restrictions.