V. INTEGRATION OF AMP 
l. General 
AMP capability can easily be added to existing and future integrated sys- 
tems for information collection, processing and presentation. An 
integrated (information) system comprises hardware and software, operat- 
ing procedures, information and data, human operators, and a support sub- 
system. Among several system considerations, the compatibility of the 
parts and their interactions are of utmost importance. 
The level of system integration is raised by expanding and/or optimising 
existing sub-systems and their interactions, and by adding new sub- 
systems and new interactions. Expansion should be accompanied by 
progressive systemisation. A byproduct of systemisation is a minimum of 
functional gaps and duplication. 
Intergration of sub-systems can provide a number of advantages, such as: 
— Efficient use of resources (equipment, software, information, personnel 
and support facilities) 
— Versatility and flexibility 
— Increased production rate 
— Improved quality of products (accuracy, resolution, integrity, 
appearance) 
— Compatibility of components (hardware, software, information and proce- 
dures) 
- Balance between interactive and automatic operation (hardware and 
software) 
— Extended system capabilities (new techniques, products and uses). 
Integration addresses several issues, such as system architecture 
(including hardware and communication network), software, man-machine 
interaction, production lines, and information and data. In the following 
sections, consideration is given .to each of these ingredients of 
integration. 
2. Integrated system architectures 
Architecture comprises several sub-systems and a communication network. 
The lay-out can be centralised (star) distributed, or combined [1]. 
— In centralised systems, the different sub-systems for input and output 
are configured around a central computer (figure 11). 
- In distributed network systems, the sub-systems are provided with 
microprocessors and thus heave their own processing and control 
capability. The components can be connected in different combinations, 
thus forming sub-systems for different tasks. 
In figure 12, the components of AMP are indicated by boxes with inter- 
rupted lines. Several sub-systems can function in parallel, which 
improves operational characteristics, such as production rate and 
reliability. 
— The partly centralised and partly distributed network systems with the 
AMP capability incorporated are not considered here, although such sys- 
tems can be feasible. 
A stand-alone AMP system has been shown in figure 2. 
  
  
  
3. Hardware 
The hardware can be structured according to the main process stages, i.e. 
collection, processing and presentation of information. Some of the sub- 
systems, such as alpha-numerical (AN) and graphic terminals and recording 
devices, however, can be employed in all stages. 
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