DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE A STUDY OF STORAGE & RETRIEVAL OF DIGITIZED RECONNAISSANCE IMAGERY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001800020029-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2012
• Sequence Number: 29
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
0L 1k
DEVELOPMENT OBJEC'T'IVE
A STUDY OF STORAGE & RETRIEVAL OF DIGITIZED
RECONNAISSANCE IMAGERY
1.0 PURPOSE. The objective of this study is. analyze various methods and
systems for storing and retrieving current and past imagery which is
supplied initially in digital form (magnetic tape).
2.0 SCOPE. The study will include: a technical review & comparison of
all the storage media which are compatible with sponsor requirements;
a cost/effectiveness trade-off study of optional systems; analysis of
the technical limitations of each; and recommendations for a parti-
cular system along with the rationale for its choice. The storage &
retrieval systems to be studied must have characteristics which make
them capable of supplying the imagery to a photo interpreter display
in real time. (The display system itself is being investigated under
a separate study and is not a subject of this storage & retrieval
study. If required, display parameters can be discussed with the
technical representative.)
3.0 APPLICABLE REFERENCE. The contractor is referred to the follcwin
report: "Analysis of Display Technology", Government Contract
(completed November 1970). The contractor will 1
in this report up-to-date information on display technology, a
general (though very limited) review of storage systems' capabilities
and, most important, a list of manufacturers'of storage and retrieval
systems which form a nucleus of some of the best technology currently
available. A microfiche copy of the report is included in the RFP
package.
I+.O STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Future reconnaissance systems may transmit
imagery electromagnetically. In such a case the signals, received
would be processed into a digitized data stream which initially, at
least, must be stored. There are several- options available
to the sponsor as to the best method of utilizing this digital data.
For the purpose of this Development Objective, the option to be
considered is the display of the digital data to a photointerpreter.
The types of digital displays to be considered are outlined under
the requirements section of the Development Objective. The con-
tractor's responsibility will be to analyze the compatibility of
.current and future storage and retrieval systems with the sponsor's
requirements for storing and displaying digitized imagery. The
sponsor's requirements will be outlined in quantitative terms.
Problem areas are to be identified. Technical options and/or solu-
tions are to be recommended along with an estimate of the costs of
the technical effort required to develop the system.
004111"? 1
b0zlej tom aoiea;~tr
SECRET
ae~va~xaE+; w,d
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79l300873A001800020029-3
5.0 REQUIRE NTS.
5.1 Storage Requirements. The sponsor's effort with respect to
the storage of digitized imagery can be separated into three
levels of requirements.
5.1.1 Buffer Storage. This stage must provide the capacity
for efficiently storing at least 400 images. Each
image could contain from a minimum of 3.24 x 109 bits
to a maximum of 4.21 x 109 bits thereby requiring a
total storage capacity of approximately 10T2 bits. The
maximum time these images would have to remain in
storage would range from one to two days.
5.1.2 Intermediate Storage. This stage must have the capa-
bility of storing at least 2000 images. Based on the
same number of bits for each image as stated in
section 5.1.1, this would require total capacity of
from 6.48 x 1012 bits to 8.42 x 10?_ bits. It is
anticipated that these images would be expected to
remain in storage anywhere from 6 months to 1 year.
5.1.3 Permanent Storage. Ideally, this level should pro-
vide the capacity of abput 60,000 images. l his would
1W
require from 1.94 x 10 4
bits to 2.52 x 10 bits
storage capability. The-images would be expected to
stay in storage a year or more.
5.2 Retrieval Requirements. Retrieval of the imagery from storage
will be categorized into "on-line" and "off-line" capabilities.
An on-line capability is defined as immediate access to an image
by a photointerpreter through a display device. Conversely, an
image stored off-line would require the additional step of being
put on-line (into active storage) before a photointerpreter
could view it. With respect to the three levels of storage
required, the buffer stage and the intermediate stage must be
on-line; the permanent storage can be off-line.
5.2.1 Display Devices. The selection of the specific display
device used to present the stored data as an image to
the photointerpreter has not as yet been determined.
The primary display devices under consideration 1)
cathode ray tubes, 2) light valves, and 3) laser scan-
ners. Of the three display systems, the sponsor feels
that the.cathode ray tube presently has more resolution
capability than any of the other devices and, therefpre,
is pursuing a contractual effort to determine if a CRT
can be used as a.practical display tool in an exploita-
tion environment. For these reasons the contractor
should first. consider interfaces with a CRT display.
However, he is also encouraged to consider the inter-
faces with other types of displays, if he an demon-
strate the rationale for his recommendation.
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
5.2.2 Data Rate. Storage for display generation has two major
criteria: 1) retrieval rates which are defined as the
rate (megabits per second) for bringing the stored data
to the display device, and 2) acquisition rates which
are defined as the rates the information could be received
from a data source and placed into storage. The buffer
and the intermediate stages of storage will place defi-
nitive restrictions upon the retrieval and acquisition
rates because of their on-line function, but permanent
storage may or may not be affected depending upon the
nature of its design implementation.
5.2.2.1 Buffer Storage Rates. The buffer storage will
receive information from separate data streams,
each stream of information containing some-
.where between 81 megabits/sec and 110 megabits/
sec. Each individual data stream represents
one-fourth of a total image format. Because
of this four channel input to the buffer stage,
the contractor must consider reassembly, i.e.,
electronically putting the image 'back together'
before it is displayed to the photointerpreter.
This is a major requirement for the buffer stage..
The second requirement for this stage is that
it input the stoeeo. digital data to remote
display devices upon command from individual
photointerpretation stations. The retrieval
rates necessary to refresh the display device
and/or the interface system between the buffer
stage and the display device isan inherent
part of the problem the contractor will analyze
in order to derive and present technical and
cost trade-offs. The retrieval rate will be
based upon this overall analysis.
5.2.2.2 Intermediate Storage Rates. The acquisition
rate of -the intermediate stage must-be-fully
compatible with that of the buffer stage. The
primary purpose of this compatibility is to
allow a photointerpreter to transmit an image
from the buffer stage to the intermediate stage
if desired. A critical requirement for trans-
ferring images from one stage of storage to
another is that it be`accomplished within milli-
.seconds if possible. The intermediate stage
of storage'will also be required to input its
stored data to a display device. The same
parameters governing the buffer stage retrieval
rates will apply.
3
i ,R T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
5.2.2.3 Permanent Stage. The permanent stage must have
a compatible link with the intermediate stage
to allow the ready transfer of images. -There
is no requirement for the permanent stage to
drive a display device.
5.2.2.4 Photointerpreter Stations. An important
requirement for the contractor to consider
in his recommendation for a system is that
it will serve about six to ten stations
operating simultaneously each using two
displays. One display for reviewing all new
"incoming" imagery, and the other for compar-
ing "Past" imagery covering the same scene.
In addition, the system must provide each
photointerpreter with the capability to trans-
mit images automatically from the buffer to
the intermediate stage and ultimately into
permanent storage. A purge system at each
level for deleting undesirable imagery must
also be incorporated into the system.
6.0 The information presented in section )+.0 is a broad outline of the
sponsor's requirements with regards to storage of digitized imagery.
Within the boundaries of these requirements, the contractor is expected
to propose a technically feasible system, or systems,, capable of
implementing the tasks as outlined, or to propose those developmental
efforts that could achieve the desired result. The contractor is
encouraged to recommend new ideas, as alternatives, even though they
may diverge from the system concept outlined in this Development
Objective. Specific categories of information sought by the sponsor
within the context of this effort are as follows: -
6.1 Mass Storage. A complete review of current capabilities and a
detailed description of the technology and state-of-the-art
involved for each mass storage system considered in this effort.
Parameters such as cost per bit, size, acquisition and retrieval
rates, availability, access rates, etc. must be discussed in
quantitative terms for each system, and the most feasible
systems compared.
6.2 Displays. The problems of.interface between the stored
,digitized imagery and various types of display is to be
analyzed and a feasible system recommended. The contractor
will limit his effort strictly to an equipment oriented
approach and not become involved in a subjective analysis
of optimum viewing conditions on a CRT. Areas of concern to
the sponsor are refresh rate capabilities, compatibility of
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3
Jt..Vd 4a<
retrieval rates with contemporary CRT scanning rates, and an
overall assessment of the limitations of current CRT technology
in handling the large volume of bits represented by one digitized
image. Recommendations for related developmental efforts or new
ideas are encouraged.
6.3 Accuracy. Quantitative estimates of the errors introduced in
storing information and in retrieving it must be included for
each system described.
6.4 Length of Storage. Considerations directly affecting the time
required to-store the digitized image are to be addressed. Of
concern to the sponsor are requirements such as: controlled
room environments, non-interrupted electrical service, special
tools or equipments, etc., that are pertinent to each mass
storage system included for consideration in this.. effort. Each
item should be costed. .
7.0 ITEMS REQUIRED. The following deliverable items are required by the
Government under this program.
7.1 Three (3) copies of monthly progress reports in accordance with
DB-1001 (attached).
7.2 Five (5) copies of the final rennet. _
8.0 GENERAL.
8.1 Administration. The Government will retain overall control
of this program. Written approval from the contracting
officer must be obtained before any changes in objectives,
costs, or priorities are affected.
8.2 Draft Report. A draft copy of the final report will be sub-
mitted to the technical representative for review and approval
at least one month prior to expected date of publication. .
5
crrc
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/24: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01800020029-3