Provide for Equipment Neutrality.

ERDC TN-DOER-I4

August 2000

by the system. The system should also not require extensive training that will fundamentally change

the job description of the personnel presently performing inspector duties.

Provide for Equipment Neutrality. Because purchasing and managing property is a significant

problem for Corps dredging managers, dredge contractors should provide the system hardware. The

Specifications section below addresses how the contracting process can be used to ensure that the

contractor-provided system hardware meets Corps' needs. The Corps' HPDSI software would then

operate on the standard (neutral) hardware platform provided by the contractor.

Allow for Operational Checks. The system should provide a means of confirming accurate

data inputs.

Permit Efficient Error Handling. When the system receives erroneous data, the system should

not cease operation. If a system reset occurs, watch standers should receive an alert signal if at all

possible.

Allow for Unattended Operation. After initial setup by an inspector, the system should operate

unattended for up to 30 days. When the system goes offline (on purpose or from power loss), it

should be able to save the setup values/commands and reboot itself automatically when re-ener-

gized.

Provide Adequate Data Security. Data recorded by the system should be tamper-proof. The

system should allow only authorized personnel to enter setup data and should provide an audit trail

for any later changes to recorded data.

SI COMPONENTS: The probable components of the HDPSI system are the Dredge Specific

System, the Ship Server, and the Shore System. Their functions and interrelationships are discussed

in the following section.

Dredge Specific System. Many pipeline dredges already have computer based data-acquisition

and display systems, especially for positioning. These systems are called Dredge Specific Systems

(DSS). A DSS is the contractor's system for quality control of the dredging project. The DSS

collects data from various sensors, and then formats and displays these data to the dredge crew.

DSS systems can be developed in-house by dredging contractors, or they can be purchased on a

turnkey basis from instrumentation subcontractors.

Ship Server. As part of the SI design, the DSS sends out data to another computer, the Ship

Server, that performs tasks for the Corps. These tasks include data archiving, report generation,

and automated data quality assurance. Corps inspectors also use the Ship Server for their daily

reporting and other project documentation needs.

Shore System. A shore-based system is also part of the SI design. It provides the same

functionality as the Ship Server, but has greater data storage and data reporting capabilities. Data

(including daily reports) are taken from dredges either by data link or magnetic media and are

archived on the Shore System.