"INSTANT INFORMATION" THROUGH ADA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 6, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
"INSTANT INFORMATION"
STAT
Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
 Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
This paper describes the Automatic Data Acquisition
(ADA) System which is presently in use at LMSC to
collect operating data and report status control infor-
mation. It describes existing applications in procure-
ment and manufacturing organizations.
This information on ADA may suggest other uses to the
reader in areas where existing methods and procedures
are either too cumbersome or antiquated to provide
"Instant Information. "
STAT
Dept. 59-26
Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
 Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Sunnyvale, California, has applied space age
communications and control concepts to the down-to-earth data gathering and inform-
ation retrieval requirements that exist within the company's business and manufacturing
facilities.
This new business data processing system in use at LMSC is called ADA (Automatic
Data Acquisition). It is presently. in use in the company's factory organizations where
it collects information and transmits it ~n a continuous stream to the company's
Computation Center in much the same way as a space vehicle in flight transmits a
steady stream of data to earth-bound computers which monitor and control the
vehicle's flight.
and for a factory in full operation are very similar.' In each case, the data fed to the S("
The functions performed by the computers for an aerospace venicie on iw II1Lb LU11 a
computer from a remote location are automatically recorded on magnetic tape to
form a complete and continuous chronological record of all significant events. As
sufficient amounts of data are accumulated on magnetic tape it is fed to other com-
puters which use the raw input data to update historical records and to produce
printed reports of current events. For instance, data received from the space vehicle
can be used to track the vehicle's progress in space and to predict and control the
vehicle's future course. In the case of factory operations, the data received can be
used to prepare a variety of operations status reports, produce payroll checks, or
forecast future manufacturing activity in the various operating areas.
In each case, the data received by the computer are automatically examined to recog-
nize "inquiry" messages which require an immediate "reply" from the computer. In
one case the reply messages generated by the computer will, for example, cause the
space vehicle's motors to operate just enough to adjust to a new course; in the case
of the business system the printed reply received from the computer will, for example,
pinpoint the exact location of a specific order for parts in the factory to permit an
immediate change in shop paper work to reflect revised engineering requirements.
Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
,C-6C-
 Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
The incoming data are also scanned by the computer to recognize types of data which
must be mechanically stored for possible future use in response to inquiries. It is
at this point that a noticeable difference between the space vehicle application and the
business application occurs. Not a great deal of immediately accessible historical
information is needed to respond to an inquiry message from a vehicle in flight,
whereas an effective factory control system must have access to an accumulation of
up-to-the-minute information on every item which is to be controlled. To consistently
answer questions on the location and status of any given shop order,for instance, the
computer system must have immediate access to the latest information on the location
and status of all open shop orders. At Lockheed there are normally 40, 000 active
shop orders which are being processed to completion at the rate of 2,000 per week.
Consequently, the factory control system uses a large-scale random-access Data
Disc File to store these and other similar records needed by the computer to answer
inquiries concerning factory operations.
Business data processing men have long considered the problems of developing a hard-
ware system to collect data and report it directly from the information source to a
central data processing center. The successful development of such a system would
have the obvious advantage of eliminating the need to prepare handwritten transmittal
documents which, in turn, require manual translation into punched card form for
machine processing under batch control. A further advantage of such a system would
be the elimination of many control and audit activities that are normally required to
ensure accurate reporting, preparation and processing of the manually recorded data.
It is not surprising that sophisticated space vehicle-to-computer communications
systems were developed before a similarly successful large scale system was developed
to perform business data processing functions. After all, traditional requirements for
maintenance of "audit trails" that burden a business function do not apply to space
systems; expensive hard wire circuits between remote locations and the central
equipment are neither required nor possible to prdtect the space system from
equipment malfunction or human error. Such protection for space applications is
accomplished by a highly reliable "destruct button" and a "back-to-the drawing board"
philosophy which would, of course, be completely impractical in a business system.
Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
 Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
and Sunnyvale, California.
at each of Lockheed's three major companies: Burbank, California; Marietta, Georgia;
America reviewed the specifications and submitted proposals to install ADA systems
were reviewed by several prospective equipment vendors. The Radio Corporation of
developed to fulfill the requirements of each Lockheed company. These specifications
major companies. The results of each study were evaluated and specifications were
existing data collection equipment was carefully considered by each of Lockheed's
central area where automatic data processing could be accomplished. As a result,
telephone lines to transmit operating data from remote units in factory areas to a
In 1958, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation determined that a workable business data
collection and inquiry reply system could be developed which would utilize voice-grade
The ADA hardware system supplied by RCA for use at LMSC, in Sunnyvale, includes
RCA Remote Input Stations, Model 6220. These stations (206 are now in use) collect
operating data and transmit it from outlying company facilities to a central Computation
Center. The facilities serviced by the ADA. Remote Input Stations network are located
at distances from less than one mile up to 400 miles from the Computation Center.
All locations have equal access to the centralized processing equipment located at
the Computation Center. A diagram of the ADA system is shown on the next page.
These RCA Remote In ut Stations can be easily installed in any production work area.
~.....-...owrs..wl~ .sew..a+++.wv wwe.+cno, ..n..n.ve....e~e.~.- n}.wnrWtt. *:..,i. '.~r-.wlnrrarv.^.s 1 P1V
Each unit requires only a 115-volt, 60-cycle, outlet for power and a two-wire voice-
grade telephone line for transmission of data to the central facility.
token; 10 numeric characters from variable data levers; and 1 of 11 possible trans-
punched card; 12 alphanumeric characters from a plastic employee identification
The Remote Input Station enables an operator to record 80 columns of data from a
equipped with
internal interlock devices which are effective according to the position at which the
transaction lever is set. For instance, position "0" has been assigned to record
Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
wkv-
 Approved For Release 2008/06/13: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100120004-6
uWo
J