(Sanitized) UNIVERSAL DATA BLOCK READER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001500040006-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 28, 2001
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 28, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2002/06
9
28 January 1966
Ref: LJC 374-1674
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
Post Office Box 8043
Southwest Station
Washington, D. G. 20024
25X1A
18
25X1A
Contracting officer
25X1A
Universal Data Block Reader
Dear Sir:
In accordance with the "Limitation of Cost" clause contained in the above
subject contract, this is to advise you of an anticipated overrun for Phase I in the
amount of 1 :1 These additional funds are over and above the funds
negotiated in the basic contract, as well as ECP-135-1. This is to further advise
you that these additional funds will be required on or before 28 February 1966 so
as to enable us to complete Phase I of this program.
This program commenced on 30 June 196 5 and was predicated upon. the
design approach set forth in our -proposal, the heart of which was a concept which
a, straightforward optical path between image source, through lens, and
envisioned e
thence to the read head device. It was anticipated that a 1:1 image ratio could be
maintained through this network, utilizing commercially available lenses. Detail
analysis indicated that this initial concept could not be maintained without drastic
design effort. These problems were brought to your attention during an Engineering
Design Review meeting held at your facility at the beginning of November 1965.
and
,lens
These problems were adequately aie and s availableeother than to develop the new
it was decided that no recourse wa
technique.
We have, for the last two and one-half months, been proceeding against 25X1A
this design technique and have had a chance to evaluate our requirements to
achieve this improved technology. As stated above, we now anticipate an
additional funding requirement to complete Phase I in the amount of 1 :1
It is to be noted that ECP-135-1 was proposed during September 1965 at a
time prior to the realization that a drastic design change would he required in
order to achieve satisfactory results. It is also to be noted that ECP-135 I
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 25X1A
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Approved Flease 200tffi V~JJBUW001500040006-6
28 January 1966
Ref: LJC 374-1674
contemplated the use of the same lens as employed in the basic design. When the
problem above noted was thoroughly analysed, it became evident that a second lens
would have to be employed to accomplish the design objectives envisioned by this
ECP.
As indicated above, the major reason for this cost increase results from
the need to design a lens capable of overcoming the problems encountered. This
new lens was not a commercially available item but had to be designed and
fabricated by our optical laboratory in In addition, we had to
design two (2) different lenses as a result of the ECP impact.
Not only did the cost of lens design, fabrication, and test increase
significantly over that originally contemplated, but many other portions of the
system had to be redesigned to accommodate this new lens technique. Briefly,
these areas are as follows:
1. New lens mounts had to be designed and fabricated. It is to be noted
that two (2) mounts have to be built in lieu of the one originally estimated.
2. Calibration fixtures had to be designed and built to check out the new
lens configuration.
3. Two (2) read head devices have to be used instead of one as originally
?
contemplated.
4. This redesign necessitated the dismantling of the film transport which
had already been constructed in order to rework the base plate to accept the new
lens mounts.
5. A different type of light source had to be employed than originally
contemplated. This required new design, layout, and fabrication techniques. The
old design had to be scrapped.
25X1A
Attached hereto as Exhibit "A", is a detailed cost analysis of the anticipated
effort required to complete Phase I of this program. This Exhibit reflects cost
incurred through 31 December 1965, Estimates to Complete, and the estimated
costs at the completion of Phase I. It is to be noted that the anticipated total costs
5X1A in the amount of I represent an increase of eyond the 25X1A
negotiated cost of the combined original contract and ECP-135-1. In order to aid
Approved For Release 2002ARUL f A & A 6Pk 04747AO01500040006-6
 25X1A
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28 January 1966
Ref: LJC 374-1674
you in your technical evaluation of this proposal, we are submitting, by way of
Exhibit "B", a detailed analysis of the technical problems encountered and the
solutions being employed to overcome these problems.
It is unfortunate that this situation has arisen; however, as is often the
case in Research and Development type efforts, there was no way of anticipating
the scope of the technical difficulties which we might encounter, especially since
we did not presume any major problem in this optical area. However, the
application of known techniques to an advanced state of development oftentimes
presents unanticipated problems that could not be seen prior to the commencement of
activities. At this point, we are confident that we have resolved this difficulty and
hope to complete the remaining effort for Phase I in a timely and efficient manner.
To reiterate, it is requested that this overrun proposal be favorably
considered and that additional funding be made available to the program by
28 February 1966.
Very truly yours,
Is
avw
Enc s.
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 25X1A Approved For Release 2002/06/17 : CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01500040006-6
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 APproved_F elease 2002/06/17,: CIA-RDP78B04 001500040006-6
UNIVERSAL DATA BLOCK READER
The Accuracy Requirements cited in Section 4. 4. 3 of Proposal SME-PR-09,
which sets forth the contractually required Scope of Work, outlined the method by
which the reader would correct for wander of the film in both the camera and the
reader itself. This system employed a read head containing 108 diodes, each
spaced . 006 inches apart. The diodes are grouped in three sets, A, B, and C,
creating three separate heads, interlaced with each other. As the film wanders,
the distance between the edge of the film and the index bit of the data block will
? vary. A window of 12 diodes, 4 of each group, is used to locate the index bit.
Since the wander varies continuously, and the resolution of the head is . 006", the
index bit may fall under anyone or more of the 12 diodes in the window. Ideally,
with a perfect dimensional match between the diode array and the data block,
when the window picks up an index dot with a diode belonging to one group, all
dots in the data file will also be picked up by the diodes in the same group. In
actuality, a perfect match cannot be achieved and certain tolerances have to be
considered. The following analysis will establish the maximum tolerable
dimensional deviation which allows reliable reading.
The smallest geometric coverage of any diode will occur when the minimum
size dot of . 006" will be evenly covered by two adjacent diodes, such that each
diode will see one-half of a dot or . 003" of area coverage. The threshold of the
read amplifiers is set to recognize . 002" of coverage as a dot. Therefore, if any
one diode group is selected, only . 001" total deviation from nominal is allowed
? between the index dot image and the image of any other dot in the data block. By
changing the logical scheme to one in which a split coverage of a dot by two ad-
jacent diodes activates both diode groups, the allowable tolerance is doubled.
This will effectively widen the pickup area of each head increment to . 012" instead
of the . 006" of a single diode.
Under this scheme, the worst case condition is no longer the one described
previously. Instead, the tightest dimensional accuracy will be required when a
.00611 dot will be covered unevenly by two diodes--one diode covering . 004" and
the other . 002". Because of the amplifier threshold, the diode covering the . 002"
portion of the dot is on the verge of being ignored, and only one diode, the one
with the . 004" coverage, will provide a reliable output. Under these conditions,
only one diode group will be selected, and the tolerable dot deviation is .002''.
Since the diode array is dimensionally accurate to . 0003" and the film
shrinkage can reduce the recorded block by . 0002", the system has an inherent
basic inaccuracy of . 0005". Allowing another . 0005" for film thickness variations
and a safety margin, a tolerance of . 001" is left for the optical system.
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25X1A
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PROGRAM IMPACT
From the aforementioned analysis it is seen that a low distortion mapping
type lens, corrected in the red region, was required. While the technology for
designing and manufacturing such a lens exists, the need for this type of lens, to
our knowledge, has not arisen in the past. Therefore, the new lens had to be
designed, thereby necessitating an expenditure of additional funds to accomplish
this lens design.
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