DEAR MR(SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 2000
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: November 9, 1961
• Content Type: LETTER

25X1
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
9 November 1961
Declass Review, NIMA/DoD
'Task Order No. 14 for the development of an Image Enhancement
Instrument ,
Monthly Progress Reports on Contract Numbe
Enclosed you will find three copies of the 16 & 17th
RJS:cs
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
~'
16th and 17th MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
CONTRACT No.
4 September through 4 November 191
During the period covered by this report, fabrication- of all subassemblies
of the enhancement instrument has been completed.. Testing and final cabinet
assemk~ly are in progress.
Considerable re-working of the mechanical parts of the modulated light
source proved necessary in order to eliminate the spurious deflection effects
of magnetic fields anal deflection coil current perturbations, Further
difficulties were encountered in obtaining the correct light-response versus
modulating voltage for the Iight source. The beam deflection system which
maintains- the moving spot in a circular trace involves the use of brushes and
-slip-rings; it proved necessary to add. more filtering, and an additional set
of brushes, to the design. Following these modifications, the performance of
the unit is satisfactory; further improvement would require the addition of a
light monitoring system and feedback Ioop to remove the remaiiaing fluctuations
v.~hich appear as bands in the output image.
The entire enhancement system has been placed in operation; preliminary
results are most encouraging. It has been possible to demonstrate the enhance-
m~:nt, to visible output levels,- of input material having density differences as
low as O.Olt~ (estima.ted). The area scan filtering function is proving capable
of increasing .the contrast of fine detail and suppressing the coarse, as planned..
Considerably more testing will be required to establish optimum area scan
filter functions.
The data box recording device has been fabricated, and will be installed
wherx the testing schedule-will permit. The viewing optics were installed, .but
remoued when the processing station developed a leak. Through such experiences,
maintenance procedures have been learned, which, it is hoped, will eliminate such
events in tlxe future.
At this point in the development, it has been learned that certain elements
of the system could benefit from re-design. The addition of the light regal-anon
system has been mentioned above. Another area which would improve performance
-concerns the -slow -scan system; we infer from the presence of streaks in the
output phptograph that the motion in the slow scan is .not smooth, so .that the
planned spot overlap is not perfect. The remedy for this .has riot been discovered.
Considerably rrlore testing and operation of the instrument will be required in
.order to reveal .its full potential, and in-order that correct and useful operating
procedures may evolve.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
Continued
loth and-17th Monthly Progress Report Task No. 1
The cabinet wiring has been completed as far as possible, the inter-
connections of the circuit cards are being made, and. some of -the circuit boards
~iliich were not previously wired in their final packaged form,. are being
.assembled. Final assembly of the instrument will involve the mounting of
the subassemiilies, and. the fitting of the hoods and covers. Some of the metal
surfaces of the parts and covers have been left uz1painted; final. finishing will
t>e acegmplished aftex the drilling, filing, and fitting operations are corripiete.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
I4th ~ 1Sth MON'THL'Y PR?G1tESS REPORT
IMAGE El`dHA23CEMEI~TT PROGRAM
CONTRACT No.
4 July through 4 Feptember 1961
I3uring tha period covered by this report considerable progre$s has
been made in the fabrication and test of the final subassemblies to be
used in the instrument, As each subassembly is completed, it is added
to the system; all elements will be tested in the completed system with
the optical frame and electronic units outside the .console . This procedure
will facilitate trouble shooting and design modifications as the testing
proceeds. The final installation of the subassemblies into the console
will be made after the testing and '?debugging" has been accomplished.
The modulated light sauros design appraaah was selected; it utilizes
the moving spot ~~~ ray approach, with a IZ KV cathode ray tube, and
P-16 phosphor, The unit is completely assembled, and is temporarily
attached to the optical frame. The first tests of this unit together with the
optical system, of the output components of the Enhancer (consisting of
collimator, rocking mirror, camera, film processor and projection station)
have indicated satisfactory performance with regard to the quantity of light
necessary forexpoeing the film.
The input transparency scanner has been successfully tested and has
demonstrated very good performance with 81l three objective lenses. A
resolution of 70 lines per millimeter has been demonstrated; the actual
limit is in excess of this value.
The electronic circuitry continues to perform in accordance with the
original objectives, satisfactory in every rasp?ct. tt is being tasted with
the input transparency scanner. Minor circuit modifications and adjustments
are under way.
While the complete system is being assembled and tested, work is
continuing on the console in order that it will be heady for the installation
of the Internal parts when their performance is adequate. Sheet metal hoods
( for the scanner and projection system) are being fabricated, and the cabinet
wiring is under way .
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
TI-iIRTEENTH MORTTHLY PROD
C OPdT RACT
Ir:>a~?e Enhancement Instrur.:ent
4 June thrGUgh 4 July 19-.1
Dur~r~g the period covered bar this report, design and aauricat'or of
sub-assembles continued, and si~r:ficant results pertinert to the rr:odu-
lated 1-7ht output system were achieved.
An electro-mechanical light modulator, using a galva:lometer system,
was conceived, following prir:ciples similar to that er,~ployed ir, sound?on-
film recardin:x, The deflection system was constructed, and inclu..~ed li~lrt -
ser~sin~r feedback to in;prove frequer_cy response, It has been derr:cr~strated
that such feedback will provide for adequate frequency res~_:onse; future
efforts will be devoted to the achievement of a suitable light intensity re-
sponse characteristic, The cathode ray mewing spot :system, using a rotat-
~ng yoke deflection system, has beer placed in operation and is under test.
It Is planned to pursue both approaches until orie rs found which is adequate
for the job, Both approaches currently look pror,~i.sing,
The desi~Yn of the mirror mounts and lens mounts for tl.e I~rojector sub-
system: have been completed.. Detail design of the viewing optics sub-
system has been completed, and the parts are bern fabr'cated,
Assembly and fitting of opt,cal and mechanical components was continued.
The film table ar_d platen sub-assembly is 2/3 complete, the collimator lenses
have beer mounted, and several plane mfrror mounts installed. Console modi-
fications have been made to accorr_modate the frame ar~rd film ta:~le,
The slow scan, twa-speed drive sub-risen,bly has been completed, and
is ready for Installation. The light-tight box, corrtainin~7 the film ma~aaine,
camera exposure station, and film processing station, has beers corr~~.~leted,
woth the excex~tion of the additions which will be necessary to accor.?modate
the data block recording device, Assembly of the projector lamp housin:~ has
been completed ,
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
TWELFTH MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
CONTRACT
Ima~c Erg ancemert Irstrurrrerlt
4 May throu~Yh 4 June 1961
Durin.? the period covered by this report, design of mechanical
parts has pronressed, and experimer:tal work on the ur.sol-,red problen:
of the modulated light source for the Enhancement Instrument output
was ccrrtinued, Pertinent developments on the light source problem
were as follows:
a. The metal backed, fixed spot cathode ray tubes were e~~aluated
and found_nadequate for the task.
b, The moving spot cathode ray system appears promising, but the
system under test, uslnn electrostatic deflection methods, was found
to have lir,~7ltations with re~*ard to the accuaracy of sweep. It is felt
that these limitations may be avoided by using a r~ovin~x yoke magnetic
deflection. syster.,, Accordingly, components for such an approach have
been placed on order,
c. A .galvanometer driver: electro-rncchanical light modulator, such as
is used for sound-on-film recording, is currently under consideration.
Direct ai~f;lication ~f existinn modulators do not have adequate frequency
response, but it '.s felt that the addition of feedback may improve the re-
sponse adequately to make such an approach practical.
In the mechanical design area, the detailed design, and release to
the shop for fabrication, of the light ti.~ht box in the camera output chain
has been accomplished. This desi-rn includes the film magazine, exl,osure
station and camera Ions mount, and the development station. The latter
has been received, and is ready for installation. Design of the ~.rojector
lamp housint3o including lamp, condenser lens system, and film projection
station, was completed..
Assembly of optical and mechanical parts to the main frame of the
instrument was initiated.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
ELEVENTH MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
CONTRACT
Image Enhancement Ir:strument
4 April through 4 May 19F1
During the period covered by this repot, iratrument mechanical
design has progressed, mechanical and electr?or.ic subassemblies have
beer fabricated, and experimentation with the l=ght source Uutput problem
has continued.
For the modulated Light source output, a breadboard of a sl stem for
utilizirn~t a movin~.~ spot on a converstional cathode ray tube has beer.
con:structed and is under~7oing tests. Receipt of the special metal-back
cathode ray tubes (with statiorarJ spot) was accomplished on April 28,
and these tubes are under test .
Detailir.~~7 of parts for the camera output chain has been initFated,
with drawing; releases to the shop for the film r~~a?_~azine and exj:?osl.~re
station: having been effected. A preliminary layout of the projectior_
elements and the viewin ~ optics has beer. cc,mpleted.
Scanner arc lamp housir.~~s parts are fabricated, ar~d light collector
tubes have been assembled. Electronic circuit cards have been fabricated,
and instrument con?trol circuits are bein~Y desi;,ned.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 n~~.-,..,,.,r ~,..- o,.i,.....,, nnn~in~inc min onn~oon~~~~nnnn~nnn~nnn~ ~ ~~
IdIPdTII MOI\Tf'.L"' PROCaRESS REPORT
Imacxe En' ancement Program
Contract
4 Fearuar~~ 't' roug,~ 4 Marc' -
D~~ring t??:e period covered :y ti~is ,report tie first model of the
rocking mirror scanner mec=~anism ~~as ~%een assembled and placed
ire operation. T'~~e modifications to t`~e arc lamp power supply 1-~ave
,ee.~. incorporated and t;~e canstr~ction of t'~~e final unit initiated.
Tests of t`.e projector system optics, including back illuminated
screen, ' ave .cen completed and t'. e components appear satisfactory.
T' e modulated light source cat~~~ode ray tine ~~as been t;~~e subject of
cansidera:1le testing, and t;e ~Itaantity of lig'~.t output ; as been found
to >,e?consideral.~ly Below t'.~e expected value. Some additional tubes
wit': t.'!e capa ~ility for more intense lig'~,t output are on order. A re-
d~action in system speed is under consideration in order to ails?~iate
t'.~as pro~,lem. ~ .
Tie instrument ': oasing and mec'~anical design `'as been continued,
wit:': completion of t~ e design for frame~.~ork, mountings, lens holders,
film ta:>le, etc. T:~.e major area of design remaining concerns the camera
output c::airr.
Progress is in conformance ?rvitl~ t2re sc edule outlined in ti~~e second
di:arterly report.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
~.r S1XTH 2,IiQNTHLY pR~'lGRE~SS RE~?RT
3 ?ment Pr ram
Contract ~.
3 November - 3 I~ecemberr 1960
~urinq the period covered by this report, the following tasks
were accomplish?d:
a. ~!lechanlcal design of the rocking minor sr~anner has
progressed very welt sad fabrication of some of the parts ha$ 'been
initiated.
b. t'~ptrrati?n of the b~adboard ex~perAmental scann?r has
continued with improved test images recorded on glass plates, and
with the improved photomuitiplier circuit. Test rQeu3ts are encauraq-
iaq .
4. Testing of the autamatic~-gain-control function of the
video amplifier revealed insufficient speed of respons?; re-design
is in progress.
d. The desirability of incorporatingt a rapid film processor
and beak illuminat+ad pro~eetion sy~-tem in the instrument ha~a received
consideration. such an approach will have marked advantages in the
operation of th~a system.
e. A presentation of the program was madB in Washingtan~
on Nt~veanber 37, 3960. CJn the sam? trip, the
C
A
.
.
Inc. rapid processing techniquQ was revie~-ed for suitability in the
applice+tion discussed above.
Progress is raccelleratinq.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
FTH MONTHLY PRVCa~R~:n~ acs ~-
B ram~"'~
Contract
Z October ~ ~ Novea~ r
During the period covered b}' this r+eT~port, the fallowing tmsks
were acoomplished:
a? Under teat ccmditions, tuired coYZaider~able re~de,~i~n
developed spurious r?sponse which t'eq.
to supress. l~esformance is now ebtiafactory.
be The video amplifier, and electronic filter ciFa~-it
d?sign has been undertaken. and construction and test of a bread-~
board chassis is u~tderuvay.
c, The optical analysis ht-s been completed for the
scanner and readout part of the System. The suitability o$ same
of the optical components which are. t4 be- utilized will recluuire_
experintiental verification.
d. Detailed mechanical desi+~n of th? oscillatAnQ . mirg'~'
scanner has been initiated d
Frcrgress is aS anticipatedo
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
C OI~TT RACT
Image Enhancement Instrumen
"'
1~ugust--1 September-
During the period covered by this report the following work
has been accomplished
a . The initial experiment involving single spot scann-
ing of a photographic image has been placed in operation. Con-
siderable valuable information has been obtained pertinent to the
optical, mechanical, and electrical design of the enhancement
instrument. Significant enhancement results will require a more
intense light source and a more sensitive photomultiplier tube .
Both- of these devices have been procured and are being prepared
for the experimental program.
program was made to the joint Chiefs committee on August 30.
b. A presentation of the
c. has been retained on a
25X1 consulting basis . is currently investigating the
optical techniques best suited to achieve the desired perform-
ance.
To date $16, 000 has been expended on the project . This
represents 19?,6 of the total contract estimated cost. Progress
is approximately 1 month behind schedule . A deliberate delay
has been introduced in initiating the mechanical design of the
scanner in order to insure that, when it is initiated, the design
will be based on sound optical principles.
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4
 Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4 Pr"'e T'i ~ ~
~?~ `'+r~
~ ? ai1 ePVi6A
J1
J
J
r
S-e
~
V
~
T/
-
~
~
ryygr~~g
~
~
a~
e
C1,J~F'V i l~id'~'V 1 dV V
Image Enhancement Instrument
1 ~uly~?-?1 August 196p
l~urirag the period rover~ad by this report the study program has
progressed on schedule ? and some parts and equipment for the laboratory
~~ead d experimentafl set?up have been received and preliminary test?
irag has beers accomplished e Color filters a dichroic mixrors ~ lover pressure
~erc~~ry vapor Night sours?e and a photo?multipli?r tu}~ have been placed
~taa operation and perforr~~nce is satisfactory ? `the first expa~rf ment n involy-?
;drag single spot scanninc;~ ? awaits the receipt of additional optical parts a
grad the completion of #abrication of some of the scanning disk pants a
e~adboard ea~p+~rimeratal set?upa and in the study of the optical mechanical
scaraxter fc~r the delivera~ale instrument o as keen active in all 25X1
aspecta~ of the electronic circuit design v
`~o date 685 marahours have been applied to the projects and purchase
e~rdaars have been placed #or equipment and parts costing approximately
~~840 ?OO a Costs and progress are as anticipated
has beers active in the mechanical and optical design of the
Approved For Release 2007/07/25 :CIA-RDP78B04747A000100070024-4