Discrepancy Reporting Management System (DRMS) is a computer program designed for use in the stations of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) to help establish the operational history of equipment items; acquire data on the quality of service provided to DSN customers; enable measurement of service performance; provide early insight into the need to improve processes, procedures, and interfaces; and enable the tracing of a data outage to a change in software or hardware. DRMS is a Web-based software system designed to include a distributed-database and replication feature to achieve location-specific autonomy while maintaining a consistent high quality of data. DRMS incorporates commercial Web and database software. DRMS collects, processes, replicates, communicates, and manages information on spacecraft data discrepancies, equipment resets, and physical equipment status, and maintains an internal station log. All discrepancy reports (DRs), Master discrepancy reports (MDRs), and Reset data are replicated to a master server at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Master DR data are replicated to all the DSN sites; and Station Logs are internal to each of the DSN sites and are not replicated. Data are validated according to several logical mathematical criteria. Queries can be performed on any combination of data.
This program was written by Tonja M. Cooper of Caltech, James C. Lin of Chase Computing International, and Mark L. Chatillon of BAE Systems, Australia, for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category. This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818)393-3425. Refer to NPO-30643.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Discrepancy Reporting Management System
(reference NPO30643) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document titled "Deep Space Network Equipment Performance, Reliability, and Operations Management Information System" discusses the Discrepancy Reporting Management System (DRMS) utilized by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Deep Space Network (DSN). The DSN comprises several facilities, including Deep Space Stations (DSS) located in Canberra, Australia; Goldstone, California; and Madrid, Spain, along with the Ground Communications Facility at JPL.
The DRMS is a web-based system designed to manage and communicate data discrepancies, equipment resets, and equipment status, while maintaining an internal Station Log. It serves multiple purposes, including establishing the operational history of equipment, measuring service performance, and providing early insights into processes that may require changes. The system is built on Microsoft technologies, specifically ASP/IIS for web services and SQL Server 2000 for database management.
Key features of the DRMS include:
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Discrepancy Reporting: It allows users to report any conditions that negatively impact data quality or service to DSN customers. Discrepancy Reports (DRs) are categorized based on their causes, with some automatically closed (e.g., weather-related issues) and others requiring review by site personnel or engineers.
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Resets: These records help identify potential problems with equipment, indicating issues that could lead to more serious failures.
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Station Log: This feature allows for informal annotations regarding equipment and operations, providing a means to report on issues that may arise outside of scheduled tracking passes.
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Equipment Status Records: These records enable global tracking of equipment availability, categorized into statuses such as Red, Orange, Green, and Blue, along with historical details.
The DRMS employs a distributed database design, ensuring high data quality consistency while allowing for location-specific autonomy. It includes robust data validation processes to ensure accuracy and relevance of the information recorded. Users can perform queries on various data combinations and access pre-defined reports, enhancing corporate knowledge of equipment performance and accountability.
Overall, the DRMS enhances the operational efficiency of the DSN by providing a structured approach to managing discrepancies and equipment status, ultimately supporting NASA's deep space missions and ensuring reliable communication with spacecraft.
