[TASK I - MENSURATION OF COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY]

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000700040005-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 6, 1970
• Content Type: OUTLINE

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Approved For ReTT'a` PBO 7~13~
FftUhl
[A1E
Chief, l'ho~og '~,Trunet:ry Dx-vision, IEG 6 may 1970
TO
INITIALS
DATE
REMARKS
DIRECTOR
DEP/DIRECTOR
-- --
Psi MU FOR
EXEC/DIRECTOR
SPECIAL ASST
-- -
:
THROUGH : Chief, IEG/NPIC
ASST TO DIR
HISTORIAN -
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=
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Attached are PHD comments
appraising the usefulness and
application of each of the five
CH/PPBS
tasks comprising phase I of the
DEP CH/PPBS
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TSSG Basic Research in Precise
Mensuration program requested
EO/PPBS
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by you at the program briefing
CH/IEG
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on 22 April. PHD has considers
t:hes tasks in the light of
present knowledge, short-range
DEP CH/IEG
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--
needs (the next 3-4 years) and
a
licati
t
-b
d i
t
EO/IEG
__---
pp
on
o on
oar
ns
ru-
rents. We defer to TSSG the
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appraisal of the long-range
f
l
d
CH/PSG
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use
u
ness an
application of
the program.
DEP CH/PSG
EO/PSG-----
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25X
CH/TSSG
DEP CII/TSSG
EO/TSSG
CH/SSD/TSSG
PERSONNEL
LOGISTICS
Declass Review
TRAINING
by NIMA/DOD
RECORDS MGT
SECURITY
FINANCE
DIR/IAS/DDI
CH/DIAXX?4
CH/DIAAP?9
CH/SPAD
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 Approved For ReIe'd'e 2003/12/22 : CIA-RDP78B05703A00'00040005-0
Task I. Mensuration of Color Photography
Upon completion of the Precise Mensuration Study in August 1970
and the acquisition of color photography of the ground truth areas,
PHD will' investigate the accuracy of measurements from color imagery
and compare it with the accuracy attainable from black and white
imagery. Included in PIID's
study will be an investigation of accuracy
lasing DP's made from the original color negative: (1) a color DP; (2)
a 13&lW DP; and (3) DP's made from single layers of the color. ON. If it
is found that no significant loss in acCuraC is encountered with color
imagery then there would be little gained in investigating what could
be done to improve the resent instruments to measure color imagery.
Also the expense of modification would be hard to justify. if it is
found that a lesser accuracy results from use of color imagery, then
an investigation of optics, light source, etc. would be justified to
determine what instrument modifications, were necessary to improve
measurement accuracy.
In regard to the HPSC, there may be a problem in achieving auto-
correlation with color imagery. However, nothing can be clone to determine
the existence of-a Problem until the HPSC is operable, which it is not
likely to'be before January 1971. As time becomes available on the HPSC
we will study the effect of color on the auto-correlator system to determine.
if corrective measures are necessary.
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Task ZS Reticle Study
PHD has not conducted any investigation of reticle design. The
Precise Mensuration Study will not throw any light on this subject.
The reticle is part of the human pointing operation which is known to
be a significant contributor to measurement error. A change in reticle
design might reduce the error clue to pointing. A study to determine
the effect of reticle design upon accuracy would answer this question.
The cost of replacing the present reticle in the monocomparators with
one of different design should not be expensive. However, if it was
determined that. relocation of the reticle in the optical train or
equipping the instruments with a variety of reticles, easily switched
to accommodate the situation, is required to improve pointing ability,
such modification would be costly. A significant improvement would
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have to occur to justify the cost.
Reticle design and location was investigated in selection of the
reticle for the HPSC. Considerable rework has already been necessary
in fabricating the reticle for the HPSC to meet the specifications.
Therefore it is not likely that any new investigation would produce
improvements in the HPSC system that would be economically or technically
feasible.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/22 CIA-RDP78B05703A000700040005-0
Task III - Film Stability on the Measuring I'll str:ument
A literature search and study was conducted in 1967 by both
in designing the HPSC. It was
definitely determi,necl that the high intensity light source, parti-
cularly at higli magnification, created a serious film stability
problem. How successful the means employed in the HPSC controls
this problem can only be determined when acceptance tests are con-
ducted. Cursory investigation performed under the Precise Mensuration
Study indicates no problem in maintaining film stability with the
on--board instruments. Due to 'the potential of serious problems stemming
from" film instability, a thorough investigation should be made to
determine whether or not a serious problem exists -w1'..h went instruments,
even though we do not believe a nrohlom exists.
No known study has been made on the effect of heat,- on stability or
deterioration of color imagery and dry process material. There is not
likely to be a serious problem in 'this area with present instruments but
there may well be a problem with the HPSC. if %ound to be a serious problem
with the HPSC, the cost of modifying the HPSC would be high. Unless color
and dry process film accounted for a high percentage of our film input,
it would probably be advisable to use our current instruments to measure
this type of imagery and limit use of the HPSC to black and white imagery
rather than modify the HPSC.
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Task ):'V - Data Readout Control Modules
The present
modules are 6-7 years old. They are mal-
functioning more frequently with use, requiring more maintenance.
Replacement has been budgeted for in I'Y-71 and VY-72. Greater
efficiency through elimination of the need to repeat measurements
when a malfunction occurs and of instrument down time while main-
tenance is performed will result from replacement by new modules.
}MID recommends a limited research effort to investigate what
equipment is coim?aerical.ly available to perform this function. The
investigation should compare relative merits of each brand, including
performance reliability, cost and convenience of controls for operator
use.
has been tasked by TSSG to design and fabricate one
0
auxiliary control unit for thel Ir odule. This unit is to be attachable 25X1
comparator in various locations to determine the most convenient
location for operator use. The unit will duplicate thel (controls,
permitting either to be used, at the operator's discretion. Cost of this
task is approximately
25X1
study will 25X1
be useful in preparing- specifications for
we are to replace the
replacement equipment.
If 25X1
modules within the next two years as planned,
it would not be practical to modify the present modules.
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Task V - Automatic Pointing
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The error introduced by human pointing is known to be a major
source of measurcment error. If a reliable automatic pointing
device could be developed this source of error might be greatly
reduced. This would permit more accurate measurements and would
be particularly valuable when very high accuracy was required.
Application would most likely be limited to mono-instruments. The
principle of stereo pointing is such that automatic pointing methods
axe unlikely to be applicable. Automatic pointing instruments de-
veloped to date (i.e., the
comparator) have not
25X1
performed very successfully. A long development period is likely
before an acceptable device is achieved. When achieved, such a
device is very likely to be complicated, requiring considerable
A contract is being let to to design and build
25X1
a calibration device for the HPSC. The proposed design includes a self-
centering capability which will eliminate the human element in centering
the ret:a;le on the marks of a calibrated scale. If this works satisfactorily,
then additional research might be undertaken to adapt the principle to achieve
self-centering on the edge of an image (line of demarkation between two dif-
ferent densities).
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'1`tiak V -. Continued
To pursue a study as proposed in the Basic Research plan does not
offer much hope of early success. It may, however, be a step in
achieving auto n rt9 c pointing at some distant time. A lengthy research
effort is expected before success is achieved in attaining this objective,
which is a worthwhile: 3.ong-range objective. Achievement: of this objective
may well be similar to that experienced in automatic target recognition,
which many efforts by numerous or_gani:ations has yet to be achieved.
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