273 
CHARTING UTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS 
FOR A 
DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHIC DATA BASE 
Dennis P. Franklin 
Cartographer, Techniques Office 
Aerospace Cartography Department 
Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center 
St. Louis, AFS, Missouri 63118 
ABSTRACT 
The application of computers and computer processes to support chart 
production at the Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center (DMAAC) is 
discussed. The chart production process is continually being analyzed for 
application to automation. Source assessment and inventory, control, data 
collection, chart compilation and revision, color separation and printing can be 
enhanced or accomplished by automated processes. 
Also considered is the development and continual evaluation of a digital 
Cartographic Data Base (CDB) to provide this Center with a capability to 
support advanced digital mapping requirements. Digital data, defined and 
stored in a standardized format, is ideal for both ongoing maintenance of the 
data base and for maximum exploitation through advanced interactive systems. 
INTRODUCTION 
The Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center (DMAAC) has the responsibility 
to meet an ever increasing number of different Mapping Charting and Geodesy 
(MC&G) requirements. The charting program primarily consists of the Air 
Target Materials (ATM) and the Navigation and Planning (NAV/PLAN) Charts. 
Special charts are produced for NASA, Air Weather Service and many other 
users. Most of these charts and navigation products are produced using 
traditional (manual) cartographic methods. A significant portion of DMAAC's 
production resources are devoted to assuring that these products are kept 
current with user's needs. Obsolescence comes from either or both of the 
following reasons: 
The charts no longer meet current accuracy requirements. 
The information provided is outdated. 
Thus, DMAAC has established a need for accurate up-to-date cartographic 
information in a digital format readily transformed to meet specific charting 
requirements. Specifically, DMAAC has the requirement for a Digital Color 
Separation Production Process to include the collection, maintenance and 
exploitation of a data base of product independent digital cartographic 
information. The data base must contain not only lineal features in a line 
segment noded digital format, but also sufficient textual information to support 
utilization requirements for a "Family of Charts" (FOC) production process.