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III DEFENSE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
AT
CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S
B. MESSAGE PROCESSING CASE HISTORY
C A M P S
C A M P S
1. O̲B̲J̲E̲C̲T̲I̲V̲E̲S̲
CAMPS is a Computer Aided Message Processing System
with the objective to provide significant improvements
in communication to both strategic and tactical NATO
operations. Areas with expected improvements are:
o time needed for preparation and reception of messages
- reduced
o manpower and cost - reduced
o message handling procedure cummonality throughout
NATO - increased
o inter-operatility with other communication systems
- increased
o required levels of security - achieved with less
effort
o availability of information - increased
o errors - reduced
o handling priorities - ensured
The benefits resulting from the operation of CAMPS
are discussed in more detail in the next section.
2. BENEFITS
Manual message handling is a very slow and time consuming
process. A handwritten draft is first distributed manually
to other officers for coordination. These officers
read the message-making suggestions for improvement
- and the draft-message may have to be retyped one
or more times. Before transmission a communication
expert must ensure that the message is in accordance
with the ACP127 format used by NATO, giving:
o recepient
o recepients official identification
o information only recepients
o urgency
o security classification
o other required attributes.
Message preparation, as described above can take from
one hour up to several days in a manual environment:
CAMPS reduced preparation time by at least a factor
of 10, so that a message can be prepared, coordinated
and transmitted within a few minutes or at most within
an hour in the case of extended coordination.
At reception, manual procedures first call for a clerk
to look up the messages Subject Indicator Code (SIC)
in a table of standard distribution of incoming messages.
A received message in then photo-copied to provide
enough copies for both action and information recepients.
Finally physical distribution may take place, but there
is always the risk that a message is hot handled according
to priority so that a very urgent message might be
delayed for hours. In addition, photo-copies give the
possibility of information falling into the wrong hands.
The time required for message reception, as described
above, is from 1 hour up to a whole day: CAMPS reduces
the time needed to carry out the reception process
by a factor of almost 100. Manpower and its costs are
saved as CAMPS automatically analyses the Subject Information
Code and distributes the message to he appropriate
terminal(s). In addition CAMPS handles priorities automatically,
ensuring that urgent messages are expedited. All these
procedures are done without staff intervention - in
only a few seconds or minutes. Additionally CAMPS ensures
that only authorized staff have access to terminals,
as log-on procedures include user identification and
passwords.
The man-machine interface implemented in CAMPS is
very user-friendly. The intelligent visual display
units and the computer system assist the user; after
only a few hours training in preparation and coordintion
of messages one is capable of operating CAMPS. This
is in huge contrast to present demands for a skilled
and highly trained communications expert with a thorough
knowledge of ACP127 format requirements. This yields
savings in cost and manpower.
Availability of information is furthered by the filing
system of CAMPS which is fully automtic. Without moving
away from his workstation, a user can search the CAMPS
files for data - all data less than 30 days old are
kept. Data needed for preparing new messages or data
needed for absolutely correct quotation can be retrieved
via CAMPS. The user-friendly retrieval system includes
multiple search keys. Users do not need to have exact
message identification to retrieve the message; a time
window indicating when the message was first filed
- along with other optional parameters - will narrow
down the field, and CAMPS will display a catalogue
of all messages satisfying the given parameters.
CAMPS provides message handling communality throughout
NATO. This ensures that messages prepared at any headquarters
will be interpreted correctly at any other headquarters,
if CAMPS has been used at both ends. This will save
manpower and remove possible sources of error.
CAMPS ensures inter-operability throughout NATO. Other
communication systems can be interfaced to CAMPS, providing
CAMPS' features as improvements.
Aspects of security are accommodated at a very level
of CAMPS. Security features are implemented in all
sub-systems within CAMPS. i.e. both hardware and software.
The modular construction of the CAMPS computer - with
individual peripheral microprocessors for all discs,
terminals and external lines - ensures separation of
data coming into and going out of CAMPS. The design
of system and application software ensures that programs
and data are completely separated in memory: programs
connot be modified during execution, only data can.
In addition each program can only address its own memory
area. Address violation is detected, and one program
cannot alter another programs code/data space. Users
are approved to different levels of classifiction and
they can only access data up to their level of calssification,
never at higher levels. Security interogation and warnings
are used throughout to ensure that the personnel environment
is double-checked before revealing any classified information..
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In conclusion, all required objectives are met by CAMPS
whose benefit keywords are:
o time, manpower and cost reduction
o message.handling commonuality throughout NATO
o inter-operatility
o improved availability of information
o rediced error occurrence
o ensured handling priorities
o security at every level of operation.
tegning
3. SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
ENVIRONMENT INTERFACES TO CAMPS
CAMPS is a user system which assists users in message
preparation and reception and which communicates with
other user systems, either directly or through network
system. In this context it can also function as a gateway
for other user systems which have lost connection to
their primary network system.
For CAMPS the primary network system will be separate
system, which utilizes the socalled store and forward
message transmission system based on ACP127 procedures.
This network transmission system establishes a communication
network between all the NATO countries. It uses both
terrestial and satelite communication.
CAMPS may also be interfaced to a colocated SCARS II
system, Status Control and Reporting System. The primary
communication networks for SCARS will be a NATO dial
voice network with switching centers located throughout
the NATO countries. The data transmission requested
by SCARS is provided by modems.
In the event that SCARS cannot utilize the circuit
switch network for transmission, the colocated CAMPS
can work as a gateway between SCARS and the message
switching network or other circuits available at CAMPS.
CAMPS may also be interfaced to Command and Control
Informtion System (CCIS).
The circuit switching CAMPS will play very essential
role in the information gathering process of any Command
and Control Informtion System. This is because CAMPS
can assist the user in preparing reports for CCIS by
use of Adat-P3 procedures. The general message processing
facilities in CAMPS are extended by a Adat-P3 compilers,
which allow NATO to define specific message formats
for all the reports. The compilers gives NATO great
flexibility in the future because message formats can
easily be changed as a consequense of requirement changes.
The main philosophy of Adat-P3 messages is that these
messages are highly structured. The structure is programmed
into CAMPS so that correct formats are enforced by
CAMPS. The structure is defined as subsets or lines
of fields within a message, and CAMPS will ensure that
the user does not forget any informtion. When CAMPS
has controled that the message is correctly entered,
it can be processed automatically and the CCIS system
can be updated without human intervention.
Finally CAMPS is interfaced to low speed communication
lines which are either point-to-point lines or lines
for TRC, Torn Relay Centers.
C̲A̲M̲P̲S̲ ̲C̲O̲M̲M̲U̲N̲I̲T̲Y̲ ̲O̲F̲ ̲U̲S̲E̲R̲S̲
The system functions of CAMPS are provided for the
three groups of users:
E̲n̲d̲ ̲U̲s̲e̲r̲s̲ are those persons who prepare and receive
messages through CAMPS. They are the persons for whom
CAMPS has been implemented.
S̲u̲p̲e̲r̲v̲i̲s̲o̲r̲y̲ ̲p̲e̲r̲s̲o̲n̲a̲l̲ are the communication center personel
who assist CAMPS in providing its services to the end
users. The supervisor and his assistants control all
system tables within CAMPS. Security features and directories
of headquaters are controlled by the supervisors.
M̲D̲C̲O̲ ̲the message distribution control operator, one
of the supervisor assistants, will assist CAMPS in
distribution of incoming messages that can not be distributed
automatically. If a message has been prepared outside
a CAMPS without computer assistance it might contain
unrecoverable errors. The MDCO can also initiate redistribution
of messages, if the original distribution was not appropriate.
M̲S̲O̲, the message service operator, is another supervisor
assistant who assists CAMPS when messages cannot be
processed automatically because of nonconformity with
the ACP 127 rules. For example, certain required information
might be missing or misplaced. The MSO will control
the processing of those messages.
S̲y̲s̲t̲e̲m̲ ̲O̲p̲e̲r̲a̲t̲o̲r̲ is the third group beside end users
and supervisory personel. This person is responsible
for maintenance and engineering of the computer. He
controls all the elements of the flexible and modular
computer which is dualized in all vital aspects.
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M̲E̲S̲S̲A̲G̲E̲ ̲P̲R̲E̲P̲A̲R̲A̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
The functions CAMPS provides for the user are first
of all message preparation which is done at VDU, visual
display units. The VDUs are very user-friendly; they
provide formatted screen layouts with keywords in front
of all required entry fields. This approach allows
a user to enter ACP127 like messages without detailed
knowledge of the ACP127 procedures.
The VDUs in CAMPS are highly intelligent. Many syntatical
checks are performed by the VDU to give rapid feedback
to the user. All data entry fields have specification
attributes, e.g.: entry mandatory or optional, entry
always numeric, only alphabetic or both. Maximum field
length is also indicated.
After entry of data, the user initiates transmission
of data to the main computer which performs semantic
checks. By means of a directory of all headquaters,
CAMPS can validate the address. The user can also use
short numerical reference no. instead of long plain
language addresses of recipients.
If errors are discovered during validation of the entered
data, CAMPS will provide error indications to assist
the user in correction of any errors.
When the message has been validated and accepted as
error free by CAMPS, the user can submit it for coordination
to other users. In this respect CAMPS resembles an
electronic mail. Messages submitted for coordination
by one terminal are queued at all recipient terminals.
The users who are requested to coordinate read the
message and prepare comments for the message drafter.
A comment is a free format message which can be drafted
at one terminal and sent to one or more terminals at
the same CAMPS site. Besides used in connection with
coordination of messages, it can be used as a conferencing
media, where two or more users via the CAMPS comment
function exchange information in an online environment.
The comments made by coordinators will be send back
to the message drafter, and he can then edit the message
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as many times as necessary. Then a new coordination
round might be initiated or the message can be submitted
for release at a terminal position manned by a user
who has been given release capabilities.
The queing of messages is done per priorityce, i.e.
level of urgency. This ensures that urgent message
are always handled before routine message. On the top
of the VDU screen there is a display of the number
of messages in each queue to help the user choose tasks
priority.
After release, CAMPS performs the final conversion
of the message to ACP127 and selects an outgoing channel
to be used. This selection is based on information
in the message and table data in CAMPS. A vital point
in channel selection is the security classification
of the message and the security classification of the
channel. CAMPS can provide four different channels
to be checked for security levels for an outgoing message
before manual assistance will be necessary.
In cases where no outgoing channel is classified for
the message - e.g. the message is a cosmic top secret,
but the channel only allows secret messages - the message
can be punched on papertape and off line encrypted
before transmission. The most used communication lines
will be the NICS-TARE System which will contain an
on line encryption of all messages.
The low speed communication lines might also contain
on-line encryption devices.
M̲E̲S̲S̲A̲G̲E̲ ̲R̲E̲C̲E̲P̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
Messages received at a CAMPS will be distributed automatically
if they are in accordance with the ACP127 procedures.
After validation CAMPS will use the SIC, Subject Indicator
Code, to derive the terminals which should have a copy
of the message. This procedure is controlled by internal
tables maintained by the supervisor. First the SIC
is used as an entry to define the standard distribution
list to be applied. This list in turn contains 1 or
2 action recipients and up to 10 information recipients.
If the mesage does not contain a SIC or if the tables
are not sufficient, the system will queue the message
for manual assistance at the MDCO position. The MDCO
can also redistribute a message if the automatic distribution
scheme has proven insufficient.
CAMPS delivers messages to terminals by putting them
in different queues, one queue per priority level,
i.e. urgency, and updates the queue status information
at the top of the VDU screen.
When the user puts his terminal in reception mode he
can display the messages, one by one. He can either
delete them or let them stay in the queue for later
action by himself or another user. If he wants a hardcopy
of the message he can order this by routing the message
to a logical printerunit, which might be shared by
several VDUs.
Insted of routing messages to VDU terminals and maybe
later rerouting to a printer, CAMPS can also route
messages directly to a printer. For example, the copies
intended for the action of a message might always be
printed, whereas the copies intended for information
recepients will only be sent to VDUs and the user subsequently
has to decide if he wants a hardcopy.
4. E̲Q̲U̲I̲P̲M̲E̲N̲T̲ ̲D̲E̲S̲I̲G̲N̲
The CAMPS system is implemented on the CR80 family
of computers, produced by Christian Rovsing A/S. This
computer family is a very flexible, modular system
which allows many different computer configurations-
from small minicomputers intended for commercial systems
or front end processors to extremely reliable systems,
like CAMPS, using redundent elements for back up; up
to huge integrated complete systems, e.g. a CAMPS integrated
with a communication subsystem as a node in a network.
Incremental growth of a CAMPS with a few CCIS features
to a later stage, where the CCIS aspects are more dominant
then the CAMPS itself, are also possible.
The concept behind the modularity and flexibility of
CAMPS can best be described in a hierachical top down
fashion. The building block at the top level is the
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rack. One, two or many racks may be joint together
to contain all the lower level equipment. Groups of
racks can also be interconnected if the computer room
lay out asks for it.
The next lower level element is a crate. Two crates
may be installed in one rack. There are two different
uses of a crate, either as a processing unit or a channel
unit.
The processing unit (PU) contains modules for CPUs
and memory plus miscellaneous interface adaptors. Also
power supplies are included. Within the crate itself,
almost like a backbone, are installed computer buses
which interconnect all processing elements. The modularity
and generality of this concept is so flexible that
the individual modules are put in the crates, as books
are placed on a bookshelf.A PU may contain from 1 to
5 CPUs.
If more than one PU is installed in a computer, (in
CAMPS two PUs are included,) they are interconnected
via fast transfer buses. The upper limitation for the
number of PUs in one computer is 16, so a CAMPS has
enough expansion capability for any imaginable application
with only the slightest interface to CAMPS.
The channel unit (CU) contains modules for external
interfaces, i.e. communication lines and disks, etc.
Extension memory could also be installed here if the
1 mega word for each PU is not sufficient.
figure
CUs can be added as required to provide additional
terminals, external lines disks, tapes, etc.
The level below the crate is the level with individual
modules. The individual modules are all microprocessor
based. This concept gives a highly distributed system,
where many functions are removed from the CPU to the
peripheral processors. This compartmentalasation principle
also enforces security aspects because all peripheral
processors are physically separated.
5. E̲X̲P̲A̲N̲D̲A̲B̲I̲L̲I̲T̲Y̲
The building block of the CR80 computer has been described
above. It has been shown how the individual elements
fits into the general concept.
One of the most likely reason for expansion is that
resulting from change in data and traffic quantities.
If traffic flow increases additional CPUs can be added.
Even if the increase is drastic, i.e. 100 % or more,
extra PUs can be installed to account for the extra
need in processing power.
A growing traffic flow is likely to require more disk
storage which can easily be accomodated by additional
CUs. The most striking fact these extension about capabilities
is that modules are not replaced by more powerfull
modules, making the old modules obsolete; instead new
modules are added in an incremental way, making the
extension costs as low as possible.
It is also possible to downgrade a CAMPS system, if
traffic becomes less or if a new site is requested
but the traffic flow is less than presently required,
a small CAMPS configuration can be established.
CAMPS has already been planned to become a gateway
between different systems, i.e. NICS-TARE, SCARS, CCIS
and low speed telex lines. But it might be desirable
to interface to public networks like the X.25/X.75
type of network. This can be done by adding another
rack with an interface processing element containing
a PU and a CU.
The capabilities of CAMPS to provide collection of
reports using Adat-P3 formats has been described earlier.
This capability could be expanded to perform some calculation
or other processing based on these reports and display
of the result on a VDU upon request.
Later on, when experience has been gained by the military
users, larger files can be added to provide CCIS database
with displays, etc. At that stage, the primary communication
network, which is a store and forward message switching
network might not be sufficient. A more generalized
network system implementing packet switching on virtual
circuits might be desireable. By this approach a general
transport network can be established. This can be used
for transmission of radar data for remote display or
it can be used to give the user remote access to all
network subscribers. Dedicated computers with spare
part inventory information, computers with special
programs like human language translaters, etc. can
be reached without human intervention.
figure
