(Sanitized) CHIP COMPARATORS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001500030020-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 29, 2002
• Sequence Number: 20
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/06/1k E-C&-DP78B04747A00150003002W-Q- fG PE
NPIC/TDS- /S -/67
Date
25X1A
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director fl'-Plc
J
SUBJECT Chip Comparator
1. On 28 June 1963 the Agency entered into a Fixed Price R&D
25X1 A contract with I
b for the design and fabrication of
a prototype stereo viewing chip comparator, model 405A. This contract
was sponsored by TDS from R&D funds amounting to
On 22 July 25X1
1964 the comparator was delivered, ~.,ortly thereafter.-
2. On 22 June 1964 the Agency entered into a Fixed Price Incentive
25X1 A contract with
0
for three model 405B Chip Comparators, which
was subsequently a#ended in 1965 to include two additional chip compara-
tors (the model 405B is essentially an improved version of the 405A).
the funding e"iip not R&D) and requirements for all five 405B
chip comparators came from the operating divisions. All five compara-
tors h~delivered but only the first unit delivered in November
of 1965 was ever completely installed in IAS and checked out. As a result
of the failure of the interferometers on the 405A prototype and equally
poor results on the 405B production modelzemwhen installed, none of the
405 Chip Comparators have been formally acceptedAfrom 0 25X1A
3. As a result of the unacceptable performance of the comparators,
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on 8 July 1966, expressing our con-
cern on the performance of the chip comparators up to that time. On
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
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GROUP 1
Excluo^d from automatic
downgrading and
deciassiftcatton
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22 July 1966
0 acceptable. On 28 October 1966 he visited
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?
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sent NPIC a letter outlining the corrective
actions they intended taking, and during this time period the 405A
prototype machine was returned to
to be retrofited with 25X1
the improvements already contained in the 405B's. (he funded modifica-
tions on the prototype 405A did not include any interferemeter improve-
ments by the manufactured. The original prototype 405A was again delivered
- ,nnac(,w,,ra,.,
by the manufacturer and is now in IAS. (IAS 3jw has two)in-house)
4. In October of 1966
of this staff was assigned the
problem of monitoring the efforts to make the comparators operationally
to review 25X1
the work they were doing on the Interferometers and the following agree-
ments were made.
a. The minimum acceptable time period between routine
maintenance was to be two weeks with a goal of one month.
had the 405A comparator there for
modifications at that time (the 405B's had been delivered) it was
used as a test-bed for the interferometers for the 405B's. Hevr-
On the 3rd and 4th of January 1967 the 405A (M) comparator (the "M"
stands for the latest modification to the prototype) was tested prior
to shipping and within the test period performed satisfactorily.
0
was therefore authorized to ship it and it was delivered and
25X1A
cth
(IAS) .by-the 27th of January. During February
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1967 this comparator was left largely at the disposal of IAS to evaluate
and work out operational problems. By the 1st of March it was apparent
that i`the original prototype 405A (M)) had deteriorated beyond an
to determine the source of the problem, with -fig spent
39 man days in our facility to analyze correct the
problem. The primary source of failure of the 405A (M) was traced to
Radio Frequency interference between the two interferometers unique to
acceptable level of performance and was called to
repair Since then an extensive evaluation program has been conducted
all of the chip comparators (405A and B's). While other problem areas
X1A
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have been found they are not as critical as the radio frequency problem.
Since the problem area has been isolated, two of the 405B comparators
for retrofit and analysis, in the
meantime ~~
a..g~ us full cooperation in keepingy~ e
405A (M) in operational shape at NPIC while they continue theirs analysis
Comae le6'
They are now the modifications on the f-w'
405B's and will start extensive testing which they hope to complete by
Otice-
mid-September. If successful, the remaining a405B's will then be retro-
fited to the same standards.
5. The following additional factors have also affected the develop-
ment of the comparators.
a. The original specifications for the 405A called for a
3" x 3" measuring stage. It was subsequently agreed to increase
this to 44" x 4' but this was never specified contractually
even though funding was provided in a subsequent ammendment. The
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original project engineer left
_)e %-e
and the new engineers 25X1
was not aware of this commitment. There is, however, little question
as to the comparators performing reliability over the 3" x 3"
b. At the time the comparators were delivered, we had no test
and evaluation capabilityA and left this function up to the operating
division.
c. An NPIC Photo Chip position has never been established.
d. Considerable difficulties have been encountered by the
operating divisions in getting the necessary computer support for
Real-Time processing. Frequently when the machine was operational
it was impossible to get computer support. Progress has recently
been made in this area although concern still ;,,exists whether
can be Aert'ectively with this
equipment.
e. The 405B chip comparator is possibly the most precise piece
of film mensuration equipment in existance, and as a result, is
extremely sensitive to a variety of environmental conditions.
f. The basic problem with the chip comparators is in the
interferometers which are a proprietary item for which
has patent rights. Bringing in another company to tackle the problem
was considered, but due to the possible legal reprocussions it was
decided to delay any such action until all possibilities with
6. On the 28th of August
consulted concerning the Chip Comparators and both verified that they
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have current operational requirements for the comparators. In addition,
they also have long range requirements for a chip comparator of increased
flexibility.
7. In order to achieve a better understanding of the problem,
8. It is recommended that no project redirection be taken until
has been requested to give a presentation concerning their
position. They have agreed to make the presentation in
on 6 September 1967.
current effort is analyzed, they be
0 allowed to make their presentation on 6 September 1967, and additional
data is obtained on the 405A (M) comparator which has been operational
in excess of 80% of the time within the last three weeks.
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