AN EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS FOR ACCOMMODATING WIDE FILM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002100050003-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 48
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2001
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: August 30, 1965
• Content Type: REPORT

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MEMORANDUM FOR:
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
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AN EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS
FOR ACCOMMODATING WIDE FILM
August 30, 1965
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The possibility exists that future requisition systems may
:utilize a film in excess of 9-1/2 inches wide. Many items of
equipment necessary to the exploitation process are limited to the.
acceptance of films no greater: than 9-1/2 inches in width. The
introduction of a wider film would, therefore, impose serious
exploitation problems which should be recognized in advance of the
event.
In recognition of this possibility, the present Wt)3y was
undertaken to investigate the problems associated with the
introduction of a wider film and to evaluate alternative solutions.
The objectives of the investigation were stated in the Request for
Proposal R-34-65 as being to provide the following information:
a. A brief description of the alternatives available to this
office to accommodate film widths from 9-1/2 to 24 inches,
such as adoption of a chip system, splitting film at the
processing site-to provide film widths no wider than 9-1/2
inches, or modifying all exploitation equipment to accommodate
the wide film.
b. Suggestions for film handling component redesign.
c. Cost to provide the suggested modifications.
d. Estimated time to accomplish the suggested modifications.
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2.0 STUDY, CONSIDERATIONS
Many factors must be considered in determining the impact of
a wider film on the exploitation system. The problem goes somewhat
deeper than merely the factors,of time and cost. There are both
assumptions and somewhat subtle complications which influence the.
conduct of the study and the results. Before embarking upon a
discussion of the specific factors investigated it is necessary to
establish-the framework within which the investigation was made.
The problem of accommodating film widths from 9-1/2 to 24 inches
can be viewed ir, different ways. The solution may be different
for each. If the problem were to accommodate a single width
between these values one solution may suffice. If, however, more
than one wider film is possible, the single width solution no longer
holds. In the course of the study it was assumed thaat more than
one wider film is possible and that it is desirable to consider
this' contingency.
In the current situation several film widths are in use at
the same time. As new acquisition systems are developed it is likely
that one or more new widths, lesser or greater than 9-1/2 inches,
may be introduced. It is doubtful that a new system would completely
replace a current one, at least until sufficient experience has
been gained to warrant complete confidence. It seems quite possible,
then, that a wider film will be in addition to the present widths
rather than as a replacement for,and that the exploitation system
should be prepared for this eventuality.
This leads to the question of quantity. A new acquisition
system couldinc:r'ease materially the-input quantities. In fact,
it seems logical that an increased quantity would be a prime objective
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in developing a new system. To.investigate all of the ramifications
of this aspect in the brief period of this study, however, did not
appear justified in view of the other important considerations to
be pursued. Fo: this reason, quantity was assumed to remain
constant for pu^poses of evaluating alternatives simply to avoid
further complications. While this would affect cost estimates in
an absolute sense it will not alter the relative considerations
among alternatives.
Several assumptions were made about the characteristics of a
wider film. Scale and quality, for instance, are not expected to
be significant factors. While either may be somewhat better than
at present the changes will not influence or restrict the results
of the study.
It is also assumed that PI tasks will remain the same and
that present methods and procedures will remain in effect. Thus,
equipment requirements are considered unchanged except with regard
to film width requirements..
X Before considering the major factors in the expl,,itation process
it is necessary to examine briefly some basic considerations regarding
the processing site. Despite the obvious fact that a wider film
would also affect the negative processor, the scope of this study
was interpreted to extend only to the second generation prints.
Concern about a suitable processor to accommodate a wider negative
is assumed to be the responsibility of someone else. Whatever lead-time
applies to the negative processor would presumably also apply, to the
exploitation process equipment.
Several alternative situations might prevail with regard to
the way ih which film is handled at the processing site. The impact
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on the exploital:ion~ process must then, be viewed in terms of the
most probable alternative among the following:
1. The original negative and prints are both provided in a
width which can be accommodated by present equipment,
2. The original negative and prints are both provided in the
original. width,
3. The original negative is provided in the original width
and prints are provided in width which can be accommodated
by present equipment.
Intuitively, there would seem to be some reluctance to cut or
otherwise alter the original negative. Discussions within the
building and with knowledgeable contractors substantiate this belief.
The probability of the loss of information by slitting the original
negative is too great. to risk such an approach. The first
alternative is, therefore, discarded as an unlikely event except
in extreme emergencies. It is most likely that the primary film
record would always be handled in its original form.
Which of the remaining alternatives is the better, then becomes
the subject'of this study. In view of the complexity of the
problem and the many variables which could affect it, the study
was broadly based. Emphasis was given to considerations of efficiency
and permanence of the solution which extend somewhat beyond aa?strict
interpretation of film width requirements. The major factors
considered in analyzing the impact of a wider film were:
1. the items of equipment affected,
2. the functions performed in the exploitation process,
3. the alternatives open to examination, and
4. the criteria by which alternatives could be evaluated.
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2.1 Equipment
Obviously, not all equipment presently in use would be
affected by the introduction of film wider than 9-1/2 inches.
Only those items which require roll film for efficient operation
should be considered in evaluating alternatives., Microscopes,
for instance, are not affected by changes in film width. Viewers,
on the other hand,. are. In general, the types of equipment whose
performance would be directly influenced by a wider film are
processors, printers, enlargers, light tables, viewers, comparators
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and some evaluation equipment.
The characteristics of all equipment in use or to be delivered
during Fiscal Year 1966 were examined. Table 1 indicates those
items which were, by vi?ue of physical characteristics, selected
for further consideration. It became evident at this stage,
however, that other factors must be considered in making a more
precise determination of equipment which actually would be affected
in the event of a wider film. Results of the analysis will only
be meaningful if the equipment considered is essential to the
exploitation process. Certainly not all equipment which might be
affected meets this criterion.
One important aspect of essentiality is the use rate or
potential use rate of the equipment. It would not be realistic to
consider that all equipment, merely because it is on hand, is in
regular use or would be used in the event of a wider film. `Certain
equipment, for one reason or another, has not found application in
the exploitation operation and is seldom, if ever, used. Such
equipment, naturally, should not be considered in determining the
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impact.of a wider film.
A*Wft Another factor affecting use rate is the quantity and capacity
of the equipment with respect to input rates. When it comes to
estimating costa of modification or replacement it is necessary
to know how many items are actually required to handle the. load.
,This presents a certain amount of difficulty. The exact usage
factor of present equipment isn't readily available and the quantity.
of future inputs is uncertain. Rather than embark upon a detailed
study of this aspect of the problem it was felt adequate to assume
..that all items of any type of equipment now in regular use would
also be similarly needed in the future. Otherwise, the comparison
of alternatives becomes unduly complicated by having to consider
costs of conversion as a function of various quantities of equipment.
This way, comparisons are made on a uniform basis of the present
quantity even though exact future quantities are not known.
On the basis of the above considerations the equipment which
might require alteration or replacement to maintain exploitation
operations in the event of a wider film was selected from among
all those of Table 1. The items indicated by an asterisk represent
the most essential instruments in supporting the exploitation
operation. Other items are either not used sufficiently often to
warrant further consideration or their future use is sufficiently
speculative to make it rather doubtful. By taking this approach
the costs of modification and replacement, dealti with later, tend
to be conservative.
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2.2 Exploitation Functions
In the course of this study it has been assumed that the
functions, tasks, methods, and equipment in the exploitation
system will remain essentially the same as at the present time.
In other words, it is not expected that the introduction of a
wider film will change the basic responsibilities within the
exploitation system. As indicated in Table I. the equipment which
would be affected by wider film falls into three major functional
areas: reproduction and processing, interpretation, and measurement.
A brief review of these functions is necessary to establish the
basis for selection of equipment in Table I.
2.2.1 Reproduction and Processing
It is not anticipated that a wider film would alter the
responsibilities and.tasks with respect to reproduction and processing.
It is expected that a sufficient number of positive transparencies
would be provided by the processing site as promptly as possible
after each mission. The original negative would usually follow
somewhat later when the requirements of the remainder of the
community were satisfied.
Thus, the major burden of processing and printing is expected
to remain with the processing site. The in-house requirement for
reproduction and processing is not really for a production function,
but rather for a job shop operation. The major effort is in
response. to requests for paper prints from partial rolls and single
frames and for Vu Graph materials. If, as it'appears, the original
negative is not essential to this reproduction and processing
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Q function, the impact of a wider film would be somewhat less than
if this were not the case. The affect on this function hinges
upon this factor.
2.2.2 Interpretation
In the event of an acquisition system using a film wider than
9-1/2 inches it is assumed that viewing and interpretation tasks
will remain essentially the same as those currently employed. The
objectives of the missions are likely to remain the same even
though' the equipment and capabilities may be improved. One subtle
difference may occur. The current condition of exploitation might
be described as steady-state. The same areas of the world have
been under surve:illanc
or some time. The targets remain pretty
much the same and changes are generally evolutionary. Such a
condition could, and probably will, change rather quickly with a
shift in locality of cold war emphasis. Such a change would again
focus greater attention on location, detection, and identification
of significant new targets rather than changes in old familiar
ones. Nevertheless, interpreter requirements as well as methods
and procedures would remain essentially unchanged.
The basic photo interpretation tasks considered in determining
the impact of a wider film are still considered to be:
1. Immediate Reports,
2. Mission Coverage Index, and
3. Detailed Reports.
These tasks and the methods in use largely determine the equipment
and its importance. No matter how costly or seemingly sophisticated
an equipment might appear its essentiality is really determined by
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the extent to which it is employed in current operations. Thus,
many of the items listed in Table I should have little influence
on decisions for the future. In the absence of any other measure
of utility, there is little choice but to resort toycurrent usage
as the best ind:Lcator.
A wider film appears to have no intrinsic characteristics
which would significantly affect interpretation methods. Examination
of the film on light tables, with and without magnification aids,
and on projection viewers is expected to continue with the bulk
of the work still performed in the former manner. The major
considerations, then, from the interpretation standpoint are light
tables and projection viewers and the impact of a wider film on
these items.
2.2.3 Measurement and Evaluation
The principal measurement tasks are expected to remain largely
as at_present. Any new acquisition system using a wider film,.
it is assumed, would not introduce any new or basically more
difficult problems than now exist. It is also assumed that
measurements will be initiated mainly as.a result of MCI and detailed
interpretation requirements utilizing the same positive transparencies
used for interpretation or similar ones from another roll.
This raises the question of whether or not a roll film capability
is really essential to the measurement function. Even though there?
are a number of equipment items which do accept roll film, only
the "Dual Screen Measuring Projector" and the yet to be delivered
"Stereo Point Transfer Device" require rolls for manipulation...
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Unless many measurements per roll are contemplated a roll film
capability is open to some question. Since this matter is beyond
the scope of the present study, it had to be assumed that whatever
exists is, in fact, required and must be reflected in considering
a wider film.
With regard to evaluation the situation is somewhat different.
The original negative, and hence a roll of film, is required in
making densitometric traces. The question here is the extent to
which such readings are currently justified. Whereas, some such
evaluation is desirable for quality control purposes, there are
practical limitations. The utility of edge traces in image quality
evaluation has been cast in considerable doubt by recent work
sponsored by your organization . In view of this, the essentiality
of the M 1032T Microdensitometeriis open to serious doubt. It
has not, therefore, been included among the items considered
essential to wide film considerations. The 20 densitometers 25X1A
were given the benefit of the doubt.
2.3 Discussion of Alternatives
basically there are but two approaches to accommodating a wider
film within the center: convert the equipment to fit the film or
convert the film to fit the equipment. Within each of these
alternatives are several other options to be considered. Table II
lists each alternative which was selected for evaluation and
indicates the possible application to various film widths between
"Report on the Image
Quality Evaluation Program" July 1965.
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 METHOD
1-Convert equipment to fit film
la-Modify present
lb-Develop new
2-Convert film to fit equipment
2a-Split film
2a1-9-1/2" widths ()=#rolis
2a2-8"
2a3-6.6"
2a4-5"
2a5-70mm widths (2.76")
2a6-Other
2b-Contact prints
2b1-Normal direction(with overlap)
2b2-Right angle to original
X(4) X(5)
X(2)
2c-Reduce image size x X X