GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI): status and evolution
EC Side Event - GEO Plenary IXFoz do Iguacu, 22-23 November 2012
Mirko Albani Earth Observation Directorate, European Space Agency (ESA)Task IN-03 Coordinator
GEOSS Common Infrastructure (1)
The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) consists of a global and flexible network of content providers and aims at providing decision-support tools to a wide variety of users.
A set of core components and functions, known as the GEOSS Common Infrastructure or GCI, were designed and deployed to:•Allow GEOSS resources (e.g. systems, data, services) to be easily discovered and accessed.•Improve interoperability for existing and future observation systems.•Build an Open Infrastructure in accordance with the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles.
GEOSS Common Infrastructure (2)
Based on the GEOSS 10-year implementation plan, the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) offers the following capabilities:
• A Web Portal that provides GEOSS users with a “one-stop” discovery and access function to all GEOSS resources;
• A brokering-based architecture to discover and access registered resources;
• A set of registries of GEOSS components, services, standards, requirements and best practices.
As main enabler of the System of Systems principles and capabilities, the GCI is able to interface with external systems to facilitate end users in discovering and accessing their services and resources.
GCI Services to users (1)
GEOSS resources search in GEO Web Portal through:•Free text•Browsing via Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs)•Semantic search•Refined search
• Distributed search of catalogues and inventories via Data Access Broker.
• Direct access to data & resources.
• Geo-enabled RSS feeds visualization on globe
GCI Services to users (2)
Search results display according to resources categories.
Ranking from data Access Broker
Filtering Options
GCI Services to users (3)Search results providing: description of the resources, links to resources (e.g. web pages, WMS/WFS), Google-Earth KML files, downloadable items, etc.
.zip file PdfWeb Link Image
GCI Services to users (4)
Google Earth .KML files
GCI Services to users (5)
Web Map Service (WMS)Web Feature Service (WFS)
ftp
Datasets Access• Collection Discovery through the GEO Web Portal and Data Access Broker• Access to data products within discovered collections in a 2nd window through GENESI
IN-03 GCITask Description
• Facilitate and support the sustained operation, maintenance and enhancement of a user-friendly GCI, allowing users to search and access GEOSS resources (e.g. datasets and services).
• Support the integration of new GCI capabilities and the discovery of, and access to, a core set of data and information across all SBAs.
• Continuously engage with GCI core service operators, data and service providers, and user communities.
• Two task components: – C1: Evolution and Enhancement of the GCI
– C2: Operations and Maintenance of GCI Components
• Addressing Architecture and Data Management Strategic Targets
• Task Coordinators and PoCs: M. Albani (ESA) and D. Nebert (USGS)
IN-03Coordination Mechanism
• GCI operations are conducted by the GCI Operations Team within Component C2 (GCI Operations) under the coordination of the C2 Component Point of Contact.
• GCI enhancements are assessed and implemented by the GCI Enhancement Team within Component C1 (GCI Enhancements) under the coordination of the C1 component Point of Contact.
• Feedback from user possible through the GWP.• Supporting Tools implemented:
– GCI Operations and Evolution (GOE) tool to handle process for GCI bugs resolution and enhancements implementation.
– MONITIS.COM tool: web server monitoring of GCI operations• Regular bi-weekly Telecons ongoing (Operations + Enhancements)
among GCI providers.– Extension of participation to data-CORE Providers in case of need to facilitate discovery and
accessibility of data.
– Infrastructure Implementation Board provides advice and guidance.
Work-in-ProgressFuture work will aim at:•Increasing the number of resources (including GEOSS Data-Core) discoverable and accessible through the GCI.
– Facilitation of GEOSS registration mechanism– Enhance access to resources (also not registered in GEOSS)– Engagement and support from resource owners needed
•Further consolidating GCI components, interfaces and functions– Improve integration of search and access components– Improve data visualization in the GWP– Improve result ranking algorithm such that sorting of results reflects the expected ‘best
match’of an item based on the query– Improve semantic search, to address the semantic heterogeneity among the
terminology– Enhance service checking for GEOSS resources– User registration
•Integrating new elements and components in the GCI
Nov 2012 Plenary
GCI + prototype components from relevant projects
Mid 2013
Mid 2013Sep 2011
GEOWOW KOM
GCI + GEOWOW + other relevant projects
Requirem. & Advice
2nd GEOWOWSyst delivery
GEOWOW and other EC FP7 projects have secured additional resources to ensure timely GCI enhancements and operations
beyond GEO IX Plenary
GCI after the plenary and GEOWOW contribution
Consolidated GCI
Mid 2012
1st GEOWOWSyst delivery
Nov 2011 Plenary
