Shipboard Message Relay System
I. Problem Statement
Design a system that automates the manual message relay system utilized onboard U.S. Navy ships during the 1991 Gulf War. Each ship that was part of the Arabian Gulf task force had a Unix-based system that stored and processed naval messages. Computer operators of different departments onboard the ships prepared the messages manually utilizing an MS DOS based system. The messages were then printed and delivered to the ships telecommunications room. Once received by the ships telecommunications room personnel, messages were manually logged into a book for tracking. The messages were then retyped on a teletype and proofread to ensure their accuracy. Each teletype was equipped with a paper tape puncher. After verification that the message had been retyped correctly, the message was punched to tape for loading into the Unix-based system via a tape reader. Then messages were transmitted via one of the various available circuits; high frequency (HF), ultra high frequency (UHF), or satellite. This manual process made message processing slow and laborious by shipboard personnel.
A new system was required that would reduce the duplication of certain processes, for example, having to type the message twice, and to improve the speed of the process from start to end. In the case of the system onboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway, it required the ability of automating the transmission of messages from terminals located throughout the 35 departments onboard the ship into the Unix-based system located in the telecommunications room without any manual intervention. Additionally, telecommunications personnel needed the ability of accessing the messages for editing, if needed, and relaying them through the appropriate circuits without the need of retyping or printing any documents.
After documenting the problem and high-level requirements the team commenced gathering information to identify what was already in place to support the new system. The team gathered information by reading the tech manuals of the Unix-based system, interviewing departmental personnel, walk-through of spaces where the terminals were located, and interviewing personnel from the Naval organization responsible for the development and installation of the system. The team prepared different interview forms targeted to the duties of the personnel being interviewed. For example, one was developed for the departmental personnel throughout the ship. They were our main customers. Another form was developed for telecommunications personnel. Also, a different form was used from the development and installation team.
During the information gathering process it was discovered that in order to connect the departmental terminals with the main system in the telecommunications room a software upgrade and new wiring would be required.
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