The Portable Data Collection (PDC) Procedure System is currently being developed to allow Work Authorization Documents (WADs) to be run electronically at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). WADs are used throughout KSC to perform various tests, maintenance, and integration tasks, including processing of Space Shuttle Main Engine hardware and Space Shuttle Payloads. The PDC system is targeted for use in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Shop, and for Space Station Resupply and Return ground processing, in 1998. With the PDC system, the work procedure is converted from a word processor document to a database. It is then executed using standard work stations and portable computers. All data is entered electronically and stored in the database. This includes quality stamps, signatures, notes, and task data. The system immediately distributes entered data to all other terminals viewing the same document. The current ink stamp is replaced with an electronic stamp

Jackson, Kevin

Kappel, Mike

Lekki, John

Miller, Darcy

Moore, Loretta

English

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The Space Congress® Proceedings 1998 (35th) Horizons Unlimited Apr 30th, 1:00 PM Paper Session III-A - Design of a Portable Data Collection Procedure System for Processing Space Shuttle Payloads and Main Engines at the Kennedy Space Center Darcy Miller NASA, Kennedy Space Center John Lekki Nasa, Kennedy Space Center Kevin Jackson Sentel Corporation Mike Kappel Sentel Corporation Loretta Moore Auburn University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings Scholarly Commons Citation Miller, Darcy; Lekki, John; Jackson, Kevin; Kappel, Mike; and Moore, Loretta, "Paper Session III-A - Design of a Portable Data Collection Procedure System for Processing Space Shuttle Payloads and Main Engines at the Kennedy Space Center" (1998). The Space Congress® Proceedings. 7. https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings/proceedings-1998-35th/april-30-1998/7 This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Space Congress® Proceedings by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact commons@erau.edu. Design of aPortable Data Collection Procedure Systemfor Processing Space Shuttle Payloads and Main Enginesat the Kennedy Space CenterDarcy Miller and John LekkiNASA, Kennedy Space CenterKevin Jackson and Mike KappelSENTEL Corporation Loretta MooreAuburn UniversityAbstract:  The Portable Data Collection (PDC) Procedure System is currently being developed toallow Work Authorization Documents (WADs) to be run electronically at the Kennedy Space Cen-ter (KSC). WADs are used throughout KSC to perform various tests, maintenance, and integrationtasks, including processing of Space Shuttle Main Engine hardware and Space Shuttle Payloads.The PDC system is targeted for use in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Shop, and for Space StationResupply and Return ground processing, in 1998.With the PDC system, the work procedure is converted from a word processor document to adatabase.  It is then executed using standard work stations and portable computers.  All data isentered electronically and stored in the database.  This includes quality stamps, signatures, notes,and task data.   The system immediately distributes entered data to all other terminals viewing thesame document.  The current ink stamp is replaced with an electronic stamp.System Benefits:• All task team members see changes to the document instantly.  This provides greater assur-ance that all team members are properly informed and that data is accurate.• Accuracy of the procedure is improved as changes are incorporated directly into the appropri-ate sequence of the procedure.  This eliminates the change sheets that are presently ap-pended to the document.  The process of approving and distributing a change has also beenstreamlined.• Information availability is improved because procedure information is stored in a database.This data can be searched and retrieved through standard database queries for managementreporting or incident investigations.• The need to print and distribute paper copies of a procedure prior to a task is eliminated.• The need to scan the procedure for storage is eliminated.• Emergency procedures can be accessed immediately.Existing Process:   Work Authorization Documents (WADs) are procedures that are used through-out KSC to perform various tests, maintenance, and integration tasks, including processing ofSpace Shuttle Main Engine hardware and Space Shuttle Payloads. Currently these work proce-dures are created electronically using a word processor template. The procedure is approved andstored via an electronic Technical Documentation System.  When the procedure is ready to beexecuted, it is printed, copied and distributed to members of the task team.  To document proce-dure execution, a single record copy is kept up to date by using a pen to record task data andnotes, and by using quality and technician ink stamps to signify the performance of work steps.Task team members also maintain their own copies. Changes to the work instructions that occurduring the execution of the procedure must be documented on a paper form.  These change formsrequire approval signatures. Once approved, the change form is then copied and distributed to thetask team. The completed record copy of the work procedure, including deviations, is scanned intoa computer and stored electronically.PDC Process:  The objective of the Portable Data Collection (PDC) Procedure system is toautomate the procedure process. The system is targeted for use in the Space Shuttle Main EngineShop, and for Space Station Resupply and Return ground processing, in 1998.  With the PDCsystem, not only is the procedure created, approved and stored electronically, it is also executedelectronically.  This provides the final piece to make the procedure process completely paperless.Once the procedure is ready to be executed, the PDC system is used to extract  information fromthe document and place it into a database.  It is then executed using PCs, laptop computers or penbased computers that are networked together. Task data is entered electronically, by using either akeyboard or handwriting recognition on a pen based system. The PDC system instantly distributesthis data to all other terminals.The ink stamp that is currently used for quality, technician and engineering approvals is replacedwith an electronic stamp that meets the form, fit and function of the old ink stamp. A programmablememory chip inside the electronic stamp stores a unique identifier.  The electronic stamp is used toadd a secure mark to a work step, identifying who performed that step, along with the date andtime the step was performed. The electronic stamp is read using a stamp reader that is connectedto the serial communication port of the computer. The system provides protection mechanisms toassure data and stamp integrity.  Once the procedure has been worked to completion, a report isstored in the Technical Documentation System and can be retrieved in portable document format(PDF).   The data from the database is also stored and available for queries.System Description:  The main hardware components of the PDC System are the Central DataServer and the Portable Data Terminals. The Central Data Server (CDS) is the main computer thatserves as the network host and database server. The CDS is a server with Windows NT Serveroperating system.  The Portable Data Terminals (PDTs) display procedure steps and enable usersto collect task data and apply stamps. The portable data terminals are standard personal comput-ers with Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation operating systems. Various Personal Computers(PCs) are used as PDTs, including desktops, laptops and pen based tablets.The software system components are:Form Conversion software module - Prior to executing the procedure, this module is used to ex-tract the data from the Procedure (Microsoft Word Document) and inserts it into the database.• Stamp Utilities software module - This administrates the electronic stamps.  It associatesthe electronic stamps with the data in the database, including the user’s name, phone, fax,office, and ID number.  It also associates the stamp with the image that indicates whoperformed an activity.• Report Generator software module - After executing the procedure, this module createsthe procedure in report format, which includes all of the information from the original docu-ment plus the stamps, data, notes, and other information that was entered while executingthe procedure.  The report is put into portable document format (PDF), which is a read-onlydocument with search capabilities.• Portable Data Terminal (PDT) software module - The Microsoft Windows based graphicaluser interface displays the work procedure that contains the steps numbers, the task de-scriptions, and the locations where stamp images are applied when team member buy offsteps. Team members enter task data, stamps, notes, etc., using keyboard, mouse, or penbased data entry.  The work document is retrieved from the database and user inputs arestored back into the database.  The user is permitted to alter the procedures through achange form where the user can electronically edit the document and obtain approvals.  Asinformation is entered into a PDT, it becomes immediately available on all other PDTs.Project Development:   The project began as a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)contract that was initiated by the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate at the Kennedy SpaceCenter.  They teamed with the Payload Processing Directorate to jointly develop the project withSENTEL Corporation, which was awarded the SBIR contract.  The result of the SBIR was a work-ing prototype of the PDC Procedure System.  This prototype was tested and determined to be aviable option.   After the contract was completed, SENTEL and NASA formed a partnership througha “Non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement” to develop the operational version of the system.NASA is developing the form conversion, stamp utilities, and report generator software which areapplications that are more specific for NASA requirements.  SENTEL is responsible for developingthe Portable Data Terminal software module. This piece of software holds the greatest commercialpotential to be marketed in other work environments such as the aerospace and aviation markets.In order to ensure the usability of the PDC system, two approaches were taken.  The first was toinclude representatives from diverse backgrounds, including engineers, quality assurance person-nel,  and technicians.  They provided initial requirements and feedback about the design as it wasdeveloped.  The second approach was to conduct a Formative Evaluation study which resulted inimprovements to the design.  This is a systematic approach to obtain usability metrics and toidentify areas for improvement.  During the study, potential users were given a list of tasks toperform.  The list only provided information on what tasks needed to be completed, but no directionas to how to perform the task.  Quantitative data was collected such as the time to perform the taskand the number of errors.  This was compared with the performance of an “expert” user.  Resultsindicated that most tasks were performed by the users at an acceptable level.  The tasks that werenot performed at an acceptable level indicated areas for redesign.  The study was directed by aprofessor from Auburn University.Future Development:• The system was modeled after the existing paper system, using the existing business rules.Control features could be added to validate work practices.  Many suggestions have beengiven by users during testing and demonstrations of the system.• Body wearable computers could be used in confined spaces or areas where the user needs tobe mobile, or have their hands free to work.  This includes head-mounted displays of the com-puter screen, computers worn around the waist, and data entry using small screens, key-boards, or voice recognition.• Barcoding could be incorporated into the PDC system.• SENTEL is currently marketing the product to be used by other government agencies andprivate corporations in areas such as aircraft and highway maintenance.Key Accomplishments:1993: Completed Phase I Study for SBIR.1996: Completed Phase II of SBIR. The proof of concept for this system was demonstrated.1996: Received NASA SBIR Technology of the Year Award in the Computer/Software category.1996: Completed Pilot study #1. The first Pilot study was conducted using the PDC electronicsystem in parallel with the paper system.1997: Formative Evaluation (User Study) of the PDC1997: Upgrade system from proof-of-concept  to an operational system.Key milestones:1998: Test and implement PDC System in KSC Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Shop.1998: Test and implement PDC system for use in Space Station Processing.1999: Enhance operational system. Include interface to Payload Data Management System; Pro-vide internet access to PDC.Contacts:Darcy Miller, Lead Project Engineer darcy.miller-1@ksc.nasa.govJohn Lekki, Lead Technical Engineer john.lekki-1@ksc.nasa.govPayload Processing Directorate http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/payload/projects/qapdcKennedy Space Center, FL 407/867-3523Kevin Jackson, Chief Technology Officer kjackson@sentel.comMike Kappel, Lead R&D Engineer mkappel@sentel.comSENTEL Corporation http://www.sentel.comAlexandria, VA 703/739-0084Loretta Moore, Ph.D. moore@eng.auburn.eduComputer Science and Engineering 334/844-6330Auburn University, AL http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~moore

Paper Session III-A - Design of a Portable Data Collection Procedure System for Processing Space Shuttle Payloads and Main Engines at the Kennedy Space Center

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Paper Session III-A - Design of a Portable Data Collection Procedure System for Processing Space Shuttle Payloads and Main Engines at the Kennedy Space Center

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