How to document a TSCM or Bug Sweep

1. Sweep DocumentationSweep Documentation
James M. AtkinsonJames M. Atkinson
Granite Island GroupGranite Island Group
tscm.comtscm.com

2. Make a PlanMake a Plan
 All TSCM work is performed fromAll TSCM work is performed from
some kind of procedural guidesome kind of procedural guide
1.1. Can be “seat-of-your-pants”Can be “seat-of-your-pants”
2.2. Simple Check ListSimple Check List
3.3. Laboratory GuideLaboratory Guide
4.4. Complex Procedural ManualComplex Procedural Manual

3. Follow the PlanFollow the Plan
 Ensure that details are not missedEnsure that details are not missed
 Slows You DownSlows You Down
 Makes You More ObservantMakes You More Observant
 Enforces Self DisciplineEnforces Self Discipline

4. Document ImplementationDocument Implementation
 Preservation of “Discovery Path”Preservation of “Discovery Path”

5. ““Show Your Work”Show Your Work”
 Preservation of “Discovery Path”Preservation of “Discovery Path”
 Important from a liability perspectiveImportant from a liability perspective
 Allows someone else to reproduceAllows someone else to reproduce
your work independentlyyour work independently

6. Key ElementKey Element
It is not science, if it canIt is not science, if it can
not be recreated bynot be recreated by
someone else skilled insomeone else skilled in
the craftthe craft

7. Laboratory NotebooksLaboratory Notebooks
 Use them as much as possibleUse them as much as possible
• The cost is virtually nothingThe cost is virtually nothing
• Nexus of all sweep recordsNexus of all sweep records
• Hand written recordsHand written records
• Instrument outputs pasted inInstrument outputs pasted in
 Any “overflow” is referenced in detail in theAny “overflow” is referenced in detail in the
primary book, but stored in the secondaryprimary book, but stored in the secondary
binder.binder.

8. To Attach DocumentsTo Attach Documents
 ScissorsScissors
• Cut up thermal tapesCut up thermal tapes
 TDR, OSCOR, etcTDR, OSCOR, etc
 StaplerStapler
• Faster then using tape, but bulkyFaster then using tape, but bulky
 Clear Scotch TapeClear Scotch Tape
• Neat and CleanNeat and Clean
• Keep from thermal paperKeep from thermal paper
 Except on outer edgesExcept on outer edges

9. ChronologyChronology
 The front of the book is what you didThe front of the book is what you did
firstfirst
 The back of the book is what you didThe back of the book is what you did
lastlast
 Includes “Soup to Nuts”Includes “Soup to Nuts”

10. Also Include…Also Include…
 All ReceiptsAll Receipts
 All TollsAll Tolls
 All Hotel ReceiptsAll Hotel Receipts
 All Food ReceiptsAll Food Receipts
 Anything with a date and/or timeAnything with a date and/or time
stampstamp

11. Sketches of SiteSketches of Site
 This is criticalThis is critical
 Each room will have at least 6+Each room will have at least 6+
double pages of sketchesdouble pages of sketches
 Don’t go too crazy with thisDon’t go too crazy with this

12. TelephoneTelephone
 Each telephone or other electronicEach telephone or other electronic
device you inspect should have itsdevice you inspect should have its
own brief pageown brief page
 Keep detailed test results inKeep detailed test results in
secondary 3 ring bindersecondary 3 ring binder
 If possible attach pictures of theIf possible attach pictures of the
inside of the phoneinside of the phone

13. TDRTDR
 All TDR TracesAll TDR Traces
 Write a comment on every anomalyWrite a comment on every anomaly
 Document EVERY impedanceDocument EVERY impedance
imbalanceimbalance

14. Spectrum AnalysisSpectrum Analysis
 Hardcopy the Entire SpectrumHardcopy the Entire Spectrum
 Hardcopy all “bug bands”Hardcopy all “bug bands”
 Hardcopy anything above MDSLHardcopy anything above MDSL

15. Direct versus IndirectDirect versus Indirect
 Hardcopy from the instrument asHardcopy from the instrument as
soon as the reading is takensoon as the reading is taken
• Dedicate a printer to each instrumentDedicate a printer to each instrument
• Buy instruments with internal printersBuy instruments with internal printers
 i.e.: OSC-5000, 1502, 1503, etc.i.e.: OSC-5000, 1502, 1503, etc.
• Use a chart recorder when possibleUse a chart recorder when possible
 Pure analog record is more valuable thenPure analog record is more valuable then
processed digital dataprocessed digital data

16. RememberRemember
It is not science, if it canIt is not science, if it can
not be recreated bynot be recreated by
someone else skilled insomeone else skilled in
the craftthe craft

17. Questions?Questions?
Thank YouThank You

18. Sweep DocumentationSweep Documentation
James M. AtkinsonJames M. Atkinson
Granite Island GroupGranite Island Group
tscm.comtscm.com