The tape drive reads and writes 9 track 1600 bpi tapes.  Presently 
it is only used for backup and restore operations, and software 
maintenance functions. It can also be used to read in and write out 
digital files for transfer of imagery to and from other systems. In 
the future we would like to have software written so some of our digital 
data base materials could be read in and displayed on the monitors. 
The image processing system has direct memory access to the CPU. 
It contains the Digital Video Processor, the Video Signal Digitizer, 
3 1024 X 1024 high resolution memory planes and a hardware implemented 
warper capability. The hardware warper gives us the ability to "rubber 
sheet" one digital image to another in a few seconds after corresponding 
points have been selected. This is formally called the Geometric 
Transformation Unit. It applies a second order polynomial 
transformation to the entire digital image in about five seconds. 
The Video Switch allows us to route analog or digital images from 
any of the three cameras or two digital memories to either of the 
two monitors or two digital memories. 
The system console is where the system managers bring the system 
up and shut it down, and do the system commands for many tasks including 
mount and dismount of disk cartridges, tape backup and restore 
operations, software resets and related system level operations. This 
system console is the output device for displaying errors traced by 
the system and the applications software. 
The SAS workstation equipment and software were designed to provide 
the analyst the maximum possible control over the SAS at one physical 
location. In addition the design took into account the capability 
for the analyst to carry out powerful tasks with minimal data entry 
or use of complicated commands. The workstation is composed of a 
data tablet, two video monitors and a terminal with CRT and keyboard. 
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