Ground Segment Coordination Body

Rob Koopman,GEO Secretariat

Workshop, ESRIN, 18-19 June 2009

GEO Interoperability and Network Initiatives

U.S. Department of State, Washington DCJuly 31, 2003

and 56 Participating Organizations

GEO, the Group on Earth ObservationsAn Intergovernmental Organization with 80 Members

GEOSS Common Infrastructure Operational View

GEOSS Strategic Targets 20151.1 Architecture:Before 2015, GEO aims to:

Achieve sustained operation, continuity and interoperability of existing and new systems that provide essential environmental observations and information, including the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) that facilitates access to, and use of, these observations and information.

GEOSS Interoperability Arrangements• Interoperability through open Interfaces

– Interoperability specifications agreed among contributing systems– Access to data and information through service interfaces

• Open Standards and Intellectual Property Rights– GEOSS adopting standards: agreed upon by consensus,

preference for formal international standards– GEOSS will not require commercial or proprietary standards– Multiple software implementations compliant with the open

standards should exists– Goal is that at least one of the implementations should be “royalty

free”

• Data Sharing– Following the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles

GEOSS Registries, Clearinghouses and Portals (the GCI)

Contributors register components, associated services and standards

Registry structure is transparent - provides a source of information for client applications to

harvest.

Users discover and exploit

resources contributed to

GEOSS

GCI operational interaction diagram

Registered Community Resources

Community Portals

Client Applications

Client Tier

Business Process Tier

CommunityCatalogues

AlertServers

WorkflowManagement

ProcessingServers

Access Tier

GEONETCast Product AccessServers

Sensor WebServers

Model AccessServers

GEOSSClearinghouse

GEO Web Portals

GEOSS Common Infrastructure

Components & Services

Standards andInteroperability

Best PracticesWiki

User Requirements

Registries

Main GEOWeb Site

AIP-2 Augmenting GCI

Slide # 9

GEOSS Standards Registry• The GEOSS Standards Registry is the reference

database of interoperability arrangements for GEOSS– Contains information on service types, access

protocols, data formats, schemas, and other information necessary to access and utilize the resource

– Services registered in the Service Registry reference standards, or other interoperability “Special Arrangements,” registered in the Standards Registry

GEO tasks SIF

GEO interoperability

registry

Experts, SDOs,

Community

Requests input

Input provided

A Process for Reaching GEOSSInteroperability Arrangements

“Initially Identified Systems” and

underlying GEOSS standards

Entered in

Established Standards

Specifications

References

Recommendation

Present interoperability issue

Accept or Reject

Study for possible existing solutions

Register the issuesas “under review”

Register the recommendations, if

“accepted”

Slide # 11

The Standards and Interoperability Forum• Although GEO encourages the use of open

international standards, GEOSS must also accommodate the use of non-standard practices

• So the Standards Registry also contains information on these non-standard practices, what are called “special arrangements.”

• The process for entering special arrangements into the Standards Registry is handled by the Standards and Interoperability Forum or SIF

“European SIF”GIGAS: Interoperability for INSPIRE, GEOSS and

GMES

SIF Core Team

• Stefano Nativi• Steve Browdy• Paul Eglitis• Eric Delory

•SIF co-chairs:

–Siri-Jodha Singh Khalsa (sjsk@nsidc.org)

–David Arctur (darctur@opengeospatial.org)

Webpage: http://seabass.ieee.org/groups/geoss/

• Jason S. Smith • Paul Kopp • Ted Habermann• Yonsook Enloe

Networking: GEONETCastA Space-based Dissemination System for Data,

Products, Services and Early Warning

ROSHYDROMET

Contributors

EUMETSAT

CMA

Global Coverage

NOAA

Networking: GEONET (ESA)

• Global network of interconnected networks for GEOSS-related information, data and products

• Comprises User Access, Data Exchange and Dissemination Services

• Based on terrestrial and satellite communication networks (incl DDS and HiSeen)

• Demonstrator foreseen for 2010

GEONET Concept

DFN (Germany) Neustrelitz

(DLR)

Oberpfaffenhofen (DLR)

Tromsoe(KSAT)

SUNET (Sweden)

Kiruna Salmijarvi (SSC)

Esrange (SSC)

GARR (Italy)

Matera(ASI, Telespazio)

Frascati (ESA, ESRIN)

Toulouse(CNES)

Maspalomas (INSA)

Farnborough (Infoterra)

Renater (France)

RedIRIS (Spain)

Ukerna (UK)

Svalbard (KSAT)

HiSEENUninett

(Norway)

GEANT

50\100

100

34-100100

160\196

100 via DLR NET

10

40

100

High-Speed ESA Earth Observation Network

1000ESAC (ESA, Villafranca)

34

100

Open Issue in Networking and Data Access

Contributions to GEOSS are generating significantreference datasets (e.g. Forest Carbon, Charter, DEM)

• These data are of relevance to users worldwide.• These data will have historic relevance

Adequate worldwide dissemination and long-termpreservation of such datasets needs to be ensured, with proper referencing for data discovery

Cape Town Declaration: Data SharingGEO Ministerial Summit in Cape Town noted:

“We support the establishment of a process with the objective to reach a consensus on the implementation

of the Data Sharing Principles for GEOSS to be presented to the next GEO Ministerial Summit.”

© GEO Secretariat slide 19

• Shared data, metadata & products at Minimum Time Delay and Minimum Cost

• Free of Charge, or cost of reproduction, encouraged for Research & Education

• Full and open exchange of data, metadata, and products shared within GEOSS− Recognizing Relevant International

Instruments and National Policies

GEOSS Data Sharing Principles

Data Sharing Implementation Guidelines• Promote implementation of GEOSS Data Sharing Principles through the

full and open exchange of data.• Encourage GEOSS users to reuse and re-disseminate shared data.• Ensure consistency with other national laws and policies and international

agreements.• Implement pricing policies consistent with GEOSS

Data Sharing Principles.• Reduce time delays for making data available

through GEOSS.• Promote research and education uses of GEOSS data.• Develop metrics and indicators for GEOSS

data sharing activities.• Develop effective coordination and

outreach mechanisms for implementing the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles.

slide 20

GEOSS Data Sharing Task ForceNear-term Actions

• Interact with Task Teams (all areas) to assess data sharing needs and barriers• Begin formalizing data sharing practices of major GEO initiatives such as

Global Carbon Monitoring, GEONetcast, GEO Biodiversity Observation Network (GEOBON) and others – Take into account the proposed data sharing guidelines. – Ensure consistency in data sharing procedures across GEOSS communities– Enable cross-disciplinary, cross-community data use– Avoid development of a confusing patchwork of inconsistent procedures

• Expand on the above for additional communities/networks (workingprocedures)

• Interact with GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) and Initial Operating Capability (IOC) to incorporate tools to implement data sharing policies and procedures

• Formulate Action Plan addressed to GEO Members, for 2010 Ministerial Conference

slide 21

TERRA

LANDSAT

SPOT

ALOS

RESOURCESAT

IRS

CBERS

SAC-C

Access to Imagery with the Land Surface Imaging Constellation (CEOS)

Free and Open Access to the LANDSAT Archive (USGS - USA)

Free and Open Access to CBERS Data in Africa and the Caribbean (China, Brazil,

RSA, Spain, Egypt)

ASTER Global DEM release due this Month

Thank You

• June 2009– EXCOM update

• Sept 2009– Committee meeting update– GEO community update– EXCOM update

• Nov 2009– GEO-VI Plenary update

• April 2010– Committee meeting update– GEO community update

• June 2010– EXCOM update

• Sept 2010– Committee meeting update– EXCOM update

• Nov 2009– GEO Ministerial

Recommendation© GEO Secretariat slide 27

2010 Ministerial Summit Preparations

GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI)

• Enables GEOSS resources (systems, data and products) to be readily discovered and accessed

• Provides improved interoperability for existing and future observation systems.

• Delivers trusted data and information• Is "Open”, in accordance with the GEOSS 10

Year Plan:- GEOSS Data Sharing Principles- GEOSS Interoperability Arrangements using

open standards

GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI)• The Cape Town Declaration: “We commit to explore ways

and means for the sustained operations of the shared architectural GEOSS components and related information infrastructure”.

• GCI provides core capabilities that enable GEOSS resources (systems, data and products) to be discovered accessed and understood, by users and decision-makers.

• The GCI includes several registries, a search tool known as a “Clearinghouse,” and GEO Web Portals that provide a user interface to search and access all GEOSS resources.

• The Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the GCI was declared “open for business” in June 2008. It provides a 15 Months evaluation phase for the GEO community to use and deliver feedback.

GEONET Planned Activities

• Inventory of the available networks as candidates for GEONET and identification of possible interconnection locations per world region between networks and connection points for users and data providers.

• Definition of GEONET draft architecture, including contributing networks, interfaces and sizing scenarios.

• Definition of a draft GEONET operations concept and infrastructure sharing principles.

• Set-up of a GEONET Demonstrator based on the interoperation of existing networks.

• Progressive evolution of the demonstrator to build the integrated networking services for GEOSS.

GEONET Next Steps

• Seek for additional participants/contributors in the Sub-task activities:– Call for Contribution to GEO 2009-2011 Work Plan.– Direct contacts with possible interested contributors.

• Establishment of a technical cooperation with GEONetcastto harmonize approach and cooperate in the AR-09-04 Task (Dissemination and Distribution Networks).

• Point of Contact: Mirko Albani (ESA), Mirko.Albani@esa.int

See existing resources See existing resources

GEOSS Component Societal Benefit Area Distribution

Component Resource Types Registered in CSR1May2009

• Majority of offered ‘Components’ are really websites • A growing minority are exposing registered Web services

Standards and Interoperability Registry• Contribution of open standards

User Requirements Registry

Best Practices Registry

• User-Interface Committee is making an inventory of user requirements, similar to the ECV process for Climate

• Community contributions on recommended and proven procedures

Building on the GCI: Example Community Catalogue

AQ Community Catalog

AQ Community Portal

CS-W

CS-W

WMS WCS WFS W*S

Capability

GEOSS

App Server

Community

Data Server

Community

App App App

CS-W, W*S

What few things must be the same so that everything else can be different?

• Data Access Services – OGC WCS/WMS• Discovery Metadata – OGC CSW and ISO 19115/ISO 19119• Together this allows users to find and access data

Slide # 38

SIF receives proposed

Interoperability Arrangement

Interoperability Arrangement

entered in Special Arrangements

Register

Expert Review

Pass

•Request for Comments posted to SIF website.•Announcement made to SIF list.•Other discipline experts invited to comment..•Consult component contributor.

Arrangement remains as metadata to registered

component service

Picklist in Services Register

updated to include new

Interoperability Arrangement

Standards and Interoperability Forum Process

Task Group formed

Pre-evaluation

Fail

Fail

Pass

Work with contributor

Regional Teams• Benefits of regional concept:

– members work in the same time zone– specialized knowledge of local issues– easier identification of local experts– more possibilities to meet face-to-face– consultation on issues from other regions

• RT Guidance Document V. 1 released

Regional Team Composition• Europe - initial activity through

GIGAS (integrates INSPIRE, GMES and GEOSS)

• Japan - early emphasis on GeoGRID and Global DEM

• North America - through USGEO and Canadian GEO

• China - coordinated by Chinese Meteorological Organization

• South America - coordinated by Argentinean Space Agency

• Africa - coordinated by South African Earth Observation Forum

• Australia/New Zealand -coordinated by CSIRO

• India and Korea pending

Related Fora• SCC 40: IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee for Earth

Observation.– Where gaps in earth observation standards are identified the SCC

40 can sponsor new standards development– http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/earthobservationsSCC/

• IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (ICEO) Standards Working Group– Group of international volunteers focusing on technology and

standards to facilitate interoperability in GEOSS– Supports the GEO Standards and Interoperability Registry– https://www.ieeecommunities.org/iswg

Best Practices Wiki• Open forum for converging on best practice recommendations

and reviews• Reaching out to a broad range of communities• Multi-disciplinary editorial team to help contributors• Hot links and cross-references with Components, Services and

Standards registries are planned

http://wiki.ieee-earth.org/

Review of SIR Submissions

• Three key aspects of review:– All required information is present and well-formed– There is adherence to the GEOSS interoperability principles*– Identification of complementary tasks with respect to the overall

GEOSS mission• Work with the contributor until the item is accepted

– As either a Special Arrangement (that may later be promoted) or Standard, and/or mobilized as a Best Practice

• General view:– Strive for a complete and accurate dictionary of systems and their

interoperability arrangements– Extend the knowledge and experience gained to new systems in

GEOSS, and help solve problems raised– Arrive at recommendations for the benefit of GEOSS

*From 10-Year Implementation Plan Reference Document, February

Slide # 44

Criteria for Entry into Registry1. The proposed Interoperability Arrangement supports the GEOSS architecture

principles in effect at the time of the proposal• “must be based on non-proprietary, open standards, and profiles must be

specified when standards are not sufficiently specific.”• “interoperability specification states exactly how the service and the data must

be described”2. The proposed Interoperability Arrangement is well-documented (in terms of

semantics, syntax, service, security, internationalization)3. The proposed Interoperability Arrangement has support within at least one user

community.4. The proposer asserts a commitment to maintaining, and making the proposed

Interoperability Arrangement more interoperable, e.g. building gateways to other standards and arrangements already registered.

5. The proposer asserts a commitment to provide additional information as necessary for implementation within the GEOSS context.

6. The proposed Interoperability Arrangement is suitable for wider use within GEOSS

Registries

Portals• Three portals have been developed after Call for

Participation.• Users are invited to test and evaluate these portals• They are accessible from the GEO Web Page

http://www.earthobservations.org

GEO IOC Task Force

• Established by the GEO Executive Committee in July 2008 for a period of 1 year in support of the GEOSS IOC phase.

• Charged with evaluating the GCI initial operating capabilityand developing recommendations for the sustained operations of the GCI.

IOCTF DeliverablesThe IOC Task Force Work Plan, (as amended), foresees the following deliverables:– Concept of Operations Plan

– Process and Consolidated User Requirements Document

– Evaluation & Analysis of Existing GCI Componentsin progress

– Recommendations for long-term GCI operationsin progress

Component and Service Registry1May2009

• Inventory of resources that are available to the GEOSS community

• These resources can be anything from earth observation data sets to support tools, models, portals, training material, etc.