(Sanitized) MULTIPLE FORMAT DATA BLOCKER READER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001600010026-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 29, 2000
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: November 3, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 21'f: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01600010026-6
TID/PB-132/67
3 November 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant for Technical Development, NPIC
THROUGH: Chief, Technical Intelligence Division, NPIC S.S 4
SUBJECT: Multiple Format Data Block Reader
1. Prior to receipt of Mission 1101, only small amounts of
simulated test data was available to use in checking out the opera-
tion of the Data Block Reader. It appeared to perform satisfac-
torily in reading the test material.
2. Receipt of Mission 1101 has provided the first operational
material to be processed by the instrument. Upon receipt of the
film for Mission 1101-1, work was started to read the data block.
Initially the instrument performed satisfactorily. About 75% of
25X1A Mission 1101-1 was read when malfunctions started to occur. It
25X1A was determined that the Encoder device was faulty and
"cannibalized" the second instrument for the part.
Installation of the replacement part did not correct the malfun-
tion, and at this writing, the cause and required correction are
being investigated.
3. Although complete success with the DBR has not as yet been
achieved, we feel it is merely a matter of time until the "hardware
bugs" are isolated and corrected. During the period of time when
it did operate satisfactorily, the experience we gained pointed to
certain currently required operating procedures that are undesirable
and time consuming.
4. Current operating procedures, as dictated by the instrument,
require that each can of film be re-wound onto a special film reel
prior to mounting on the reader. Additionally, a small piece of
reflecting tape must be affixed in a specified position before the
first data block on a roll and after the last data block. The func-
tion of these tape marks is to initialize the read circuitry and
indicates the end of a roll of film to the reader. All the fore-
going operations are performed manually. In the case of Mission
1101-1, this procedure required winding and re-winding 125 cans of
film and placing 250 pieces of reflecting tape in specified posi-
tions. During the time that the reader was performing satisfactorily,
6 man-days were required to read the data from the forward panoramic
camera only on Mission 1101-1.
zJ rr- PrAna is
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pproved For Release 2001?IA-RDP78B04747A001600010026-6
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 Approved For Release 2001/0> , RDP78BO4747AO01600010026-6
TID/PB-132/67
SUBJECT: Multiple Format Data Block Reader
5. The time required to process a mission through the data-
block reader will no doubt be reduced as operating personnel
acquire more experience and proficiency and the hardware "bugs"
are eliminated. There will still be an inordinately large amount
of time expended in the physical handling of the material as is
currently prescribed. Accordingly, it is suggested that the feasi-
bility of modifying the subject instrument to eliminate or reduce
manual handling be investigated. Specifically, the following changes
are desired:
a. Provide a capability to mount the film directly on
the reader with the spools it is wound on. A series of
idler rollers to insure lateral alignment of the film with
respect to the read head is suggested.
b. Elimination of the requirement for the reflecting
tape marks. A manual switch to initialize the read circuit
would be preferable and more efficient. The currently pro-
vided stop switch should allow the operator, to indicate the
end-of-roll.
6. To date, only limited experience has been gained in pro-
cessing mission material through this instrument. Additionally,
only three formats of the possible twelve the instrument is de-
signed to read have been processed operationally. Assuming that
there will be a continuing requirement to read data blocks for
the current system and probably other systems,using the various
available formats, the manual handling of mission material will
become a formidable task.
Chief, Photogrammetric Branch, TID/NPIC
Distribution:
ig & 1 - Addressee
1 - NPIC/TID
2 - NPIC/TID/PB
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 Approved For Release 2001/08/21 : CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01600010026-6
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CENTER ROUTING SLIP
FROM
DATE
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INITIALS
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REMARKS
DIR
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IP FM 30 (2-67) DESTROY PREVIOUS
EDITIONS
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