The implementation of an interactive digital image manipulation system (IDIMS) is described. The system is run on an HP-3000 Series 3 minicomputer. The IDIMS system provides a complete image geoprocessing capability for raster formatted data in a self-contained system. It is easily installed, documentation is provided, and vendor support is available

Fleming, M. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

B INTERACTIVE DIGITAL IMAGE MANIPULATION SYSTEM (IDIMS)
Michael D. Fleming (Senior Data Analyst - Systems Manager - US
Geological Survey - EROS Field Office -
Anchorage, AK)
The purpose of this paper is to address the experiences related to imple-
menting IDIMS and describing some of the capabilities and attributes of
the system and vendor support.
An IDIMS (Interactive Digital Image Manipulation System) was installed
in the Data Analysis Laboratory (DAL) at the US Geological Survey/Earth
Resource Observation System Field Office (EROS), in Anchorage, Alaska,
in March 1980. The DAL provides digital image manipulation and analysis
capabilities to support training for and operational inventories of
Federal, State and local government agencies. IDIMS was selected to pro-
vide a variety of capabilities for digital analysis and image enhance-
ments of Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) data, including land cover
mapping. However, the system can be and is used to manipulate and
analyze all types of gridded data, either singularly or in combinations.
IDIMS, using a combination of individual software functions and the
flexibility of the Hewlett-Packard (HP) 3000 Series III minicomputer,
provides a wide range of system configurations. Data can be input in
raster format from computer compatible tapes (CCT's) and from point,
line and polygon data which is digitized and converted to raster format
on the system. Once into the system, any raster data set can be radio-
metrically enhanced, spatially enhanced, spectrally and geometrically
corrected, rescaled and registered to a map base or another data set.
Statistical descriptions can be developed for multispectral processing
of the data, this is mainly used to obtain land cover information.
Stratification and classification summaries of this information can be
produced. Final products are output on a digital display, film recorder,
line printer, printer/plotter or CCT.
IDIMS was acquired from ElectromagneticSystems Laboratories_ Incorporated
(ESL) of Sunnyvale, California, as a complete, stand alone digital image
processing system. Purchased by the US Geological Survey for installa-
tion in Anchorage, the total cost for hardware, software and installation
was slightly over $ 500,000. This included setting up and testing the
hardware in Sunnyvale, shipment to Alaska, installation and testing of
the entire system.
The major problem with getting the computer system running was not in-
stalling the computer, but preparing the site. Site preparation was
planned, computer flooring was built, isolated power supply was installed
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and an air conditioning system installed. The components arrived on a
Friday, were hand carried up three flights of stairs (no elevator), un-
crated and bolted together. Over the weekend, the system was allowed
to dry out and adjust'to the environment. On Monday morning, the three
man installation team started installing the software. On Thursday, the
final acceptance tests were completed and the required forms signed.
Less than 1 week was required to install and test the entire system.
There were no difficulties encountered during installation, because of
the experience of the installation team and ESL's procedure of setting
up and testing the system before shipment to the installation site.
Since the installation, however, there has been a problem with the disc
drive units, caused by radio frequency interference from a concentration
of TV and FM stations near the office in downtown Anchorage. This
problem was eliminated by shielding the computer room with a wire screen.
ESL provides training for application, support and system users at ESL
or on-site. Users, if they meet prerequisites, may also obtain training
at government sites - NASA Ames, NASA Goddard, Water & Power Resources
Service (WPRS) (formally Bureau of Reclamation), EROS Data Center and
EROS Field Office. The courses currently offered by ESL are -- IDIMS
Introduction (5 days), IDIMS Image Analyst - Reconnaissance (5 Days),
IDIMS Image Analyst - Earth Resources (5 days), IDIMS Application Pro-
grammer - HP 3000 (5 days), IDIMS Application Programmer - HP 21MX
(5 days), IDIMS System Progremmer (5 days), IDIMS System Manager (5 days),
and IDIMS Advanced System Manager (3 days).
ESL provides IDIMS users with an extensive set of manuals. They in-
clude: Users Manuals for IDIMS, Geographic Entry System (GES) and
Earth Resources Information (ERIS) System; system management manuals
for the overall system and for the Advanced Scientific Array Processor
(ASAP), and programming manuals for the system, applications and ASAP.
The manuals are updated by ESL as discrepancies are reported and as
new releases are available. Currently, many of the manuals are being
revised and reprinted.
ESL provides several levels of support for IDIMS. The Alaska EROS Field
Office has contracts with HP for support of all HP hardware, HP software
and a contract with ESL to provide hardware/software support for ASAP
and software support for IDIMS. A minimal amount of hardware support
has been needed from both HP and ESL, with a strong willingness from
both to correct problems as they occur. ESL provides several types of
support for their software system including: fixes, enhancements and
upgrades to standard IDIMS software and firemware; assembling, testing
and distribution of new software releases; updates and revisions to
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documentation and sponsorship of the IDIMS User's Group. Two release
tapes of fixes and enhancements with documentation updates have been
received since installation, giving improved capabilities.
The major strength of the software is its flexibility. With over 300
functions which can be comvined in a variety of ways, almost any digital
image processing requirement can be accomplished. However, this requires
a well-trained and sophisticated user and in some ways, may be considered
a weakness. But a novice, with some preliminary training and reference
to the manuals, can accomplish most projects. The flexibility to utilize
a variety of peripherals, both in terms of manufacturer and models, is
incorporated into much of the software. With a few exceptions, the
software functions of the system operate independently of hardware peri-
pherals. These special peripherals are handled as subsystems with special
drivers, so if hardware is modified, only the drivers need to be changed.
Summary
IDIMS provides a complete image geoprocessing capabilities for raster-
formatted data in a self contained system. ESL can install in a relatively
short period of time, both hardware/software and provide a substantial
amount of support once the facility is operational. ESL spends a con-
siderable amount of effort to upgrade and fix problems with the software
and attempts to keep the system state of the art, both in terms of the
hardware and the software.
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Interactive Digital Image Manipulation System (IDIMS)

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