Documenting GSICS as an element of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System 16th GSICS Executive Panel, Boulder, 15-16 May 2015 Item 6 Jérôme Lafeuille

Documenting GSICS as an element of the WMO

Integrated Global Observing System

16th GSICS Executive Panel, Boulder, 15-16 May 2015

Item 6Jérôme Lafeuille

(WMO Space Programme)

GSICS now 10 years old

• Major achievements in methodology, products, infrastructure (servers), communication (website, Quarterly), user audience (workshops, GUMS)

• It is time to deliver operational products for operational use

GSICS-EP-16, Boulder, 15-16 May 2015

• The evolution from an «initiative» to a mature system should be reflected in GSICS documents in replacing the GSICS Implementation Plan

• Should document the role of GSICS in the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)

• Should document the role of GSICS in the Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space

Global Observing System (WWW/GOS)

Observing component of Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW)

WMO Hydrological Observation (including WHYCOS)

Observing component of Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)

WIGOS Component Observing Systems

Recognizing GSICS as an element of WIGOS

The new Manual on WIGOS requires calibration along GSICS standards WIGOS/OSCAR will contain links to GSICS calibration information

But what is GSICS ?

• GSICS needs to be documented - GSICS scope, activity and structure should be described - GSICS should decsribe its articulation with User Requirements- A Guide to GSICS is needed to inform users

• Reference measurement standards (in orbit and on ground) should be in the Vision of WIGOS Space-based Component in 2040

• GSICS should contribute as a building block of the Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space promoted by WMO, CEOS and CGMS


Technical guides,

standards, reports

WIGOS

Space-based component

Surface-based component

Manual on WIGOS

Guide to WIGOS

Functional architecture

WIGOS Info. Resource (OSCAR)


Functions/ Organization

User Guide to GSICS

GSICS

User Requirements

• EP-12 approved a GSICS documentation plan

• EP-14 gave an action to WMO to propose the outline of a new document replacing the Implementation Plan

• GDWG gave an action to GCC to develop a documentation management procedure

GSICS Reference Documents


User Require-

ments

Strategic guidance

GSICS Vision

StandardsProceduresGuidelines

Tools

Technical guidance & governance

Functions Organiza-

tion

User Guide

to GSICS

User documentation & information

GSICS Product

Catalogue

GSICS Implementa-

tion Plan

Tentative document template (1/2)


Satellite or space-based ?

Tentative document template (2/2)


Documentation Plan


• Strategic reference docs– Functions & organization– Vision for GSICS– GSICS User Requirements– User Guide to GSICS – Science Plan (TBC)

• Technical reference docs– Product catalogue– Procedures (e.g. GPPA)– Standards (e.g. NetCDF impl)– Guidelines– Outreach material– Operations plan

• Other (not maintained)– Technical reports– Publications– GSICS Quarterly– Meeting reports, progress reports


Documenting GSICS


• The Vision is an existing document approved by EP in Nov 2013

• This version 1.1 is presented in the new template

• Minor edits are proposed in sections 1 and 2

Some edits to the Vision for GSICS in 2020s• The aim of the Global Space-based Inter-calibration System (GSICS) is to organize

coordinate the production of satellite inter-calibration information to enable enabling the use of space-based observations with improved and consistent accuracy among space-based observations worldwide for climate monitoring, weather forecasting and environmental applications(…)

• The focus of this activity is the systematic generation of in-orbit (…)• This production is however part of a comprehensive strategy, which involves a

broad range of activities including:– instrument bias monitoring– Level 1 data quality control and validation – Instrument Level 1 data monitoring– On-In-orbit instrument intercomparison with references and calibration, – Routine generation of intercalibration corrections for near real-time applications– Provision of algorithms Enabling recalibration of archived data,– Traceability to absolute calibration standards, – Metadata provision (provenance, lineage), – Pre-launch instrument characterization– Documenting state-of-the-art calibration techniques.


Some edits to the Vision for GSICS in 2020s• The aim of the Global Space-based Inter-calibration System (GSICS) is to

coordinate the production of satellite inter-calibration information enabling the use of space-based observations with improved and consistent accuracy for climate monitoring, weather forecasting and environmental applications(…)

• The focus of this activity is the systematic generation of in-orbit (…)• This production is however part of a comprehensive strategy,

which involves a broad range of activities including:– Instrument Level 1 data monitoring– In-orbit instrument comparison with references – Routine generation of intercalibration corrections for near real-time

applications– Provision of algorithms enabling recalibration of archived data,– Traceability to absolute calibration standards, – Pre-launch instrument characterization– Documenting state-of-the-art calibration techniques.


Reference Document: Functions & Organization


• This document is proposed to replace the initial «GSICS Implementation Plan»

• Would be used as a reference to define GSICS in the WIGOS Architecture.

GSICS functions and organization (1/4 )

1. Scope of the document– GSICS and WIGOS background

2. Purpose of GSICS– In-orbit calibration information– Calibration strategy– Importance and challenges of in-orbit calibration

3. GSICS functions/deliverables– Intercomparison of space-based instruments with GSICS references,

and operational calibration adjustments – Algorithms for such comparisons or corrections (NRT or archive)– Documentation and information – Measurement references, software tools, data sets, infrastructure– Standard procedures and best practices


4. GSICS usersi. Satellite data user community, NRT or climate applications ii. GSICS Member agencies: capacity building, sharing development

resources and tools, improvement of calibration approaches

5. GSICS in the Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space

6. GSICS structure– CGMS Members: GPRC, CSS– GCC, EP, GRWG, GDWG– Partners



Corrected calibration

Data acquisition(Level 0)

Datasets and tools

Intercalibration procedures

ObservationsEnvironment Operational

calibration(Level 1)

Intercalibration information

Calibration references

7. Calibration references (Needs to be reviewed/expanded)- GIRO/GLOD, development framework

7. GSICS production (Needs to be reviewed)– GSICS principles (community references, common methodologies, international

standards, best practices, traceability, NRT/retrospective, free and open access)– Product Acceptance Procedure– SNO/SCO approach– GSICS Product Categories, Catalogue (Refer to Guide for details)

8. GSICS Data Management Services and Tools– Data servers, plotting tool, download service

9. GSICS User Services– WMO GSICS portal, GCC website, GPRC websites– GSICS User Messaging Service, GSICS Quarterly, GSICS User Workshop



11. List of GSICS Reference Documents – GSICS Documentation Plan– GSICS Functions and Organization– Vision for GSICS in 2020s– GSICS User Requirements– Guide to GSICS Products– Catalogue, Procedures, Standards, Guidelines, Operations Plan

Annexes– Membership: accession, members, observers,– GCC role, implementation– Exec Panel composition, TOR, Chair, expected level of participation– GDWG composition, TOR, Chair, expected level of participation– GRWG composition, TOR, Chair, expected level of participation



NRT Correction

Retrospective correction

Recalibration algorithmMonitored

instrumentReferenc

e instrume

nt

Domain

GEO - LEO IR ● ● ●

GEO - LEO VIS ● ●

GEO - LEO UV ● ●

GEO - GEO IR ● ● ●

LEO - LEO IR ● ● ●

LEO - LEO VIS ● ●

LEO - LEO UV ● ●

LEO - LEO MW ●


Target Categories of GSICS Products (Table 1 in Section 7)

DRAFT ● available ● planned

Reference Document: User Guide to GSICS


• A Guide is needed to give a high-level description of our products for the users who are not familiar with GSICS

• and to illustrate the practical outcome of GSICS activities, for our masters and partners

Issue: Find proper balance between the detailed product user guides and the simple flyer

1. Purpose of the document2. Scope of GSICS

– High-level goals and strategy (like in the Functions and Organization doc)

3. Challenges of satellite calibration(input from the initial GSICS IP)

4.GSICS users5. Deliverables6. Calibration references (like in the Functions and Organization doc)


Proposed outline of a Guide to GSICS (1/2)

7. GSICS intercalibration methodology – GSICS principles, GPPA– SNO/SCO summary ATBD and illustrations– Methodology for solar channels, MW

8. GSICS Product Overview– Product categories – NRT and retrospective corrections– Algorithms for archive recalibration– Summary characteristics of GSICS products

9. Using GSICS products – Access and tools, application examples

10. User information servicesAnnexes: Structure, GCC, contacts, glossary, references


Proposed outline of a Guide to GSICS (2/2)

Reference Doc: User Requirements Document


• A User Requirements Document is needed to clarify which user needs we are aiming to serve

• Essential to justify the resources put in GSICS and the priorities

• To be approved by the EP as a key strategic management element

• Requirements sources?– User Workshops, surveys– «Beta users» reports– Formal statement of needs

• Include examples of impact?

Summary of points for EP decision

• Endorse the overall documentation approach and the GSICS Document plan with the understanding that it may be updated when a doc management procedure will be defined by GCC

• Endorse minor edits to the first page of the Vision• Provide feedback on the structure of «GSICS Functions and Organization»

and on its content with the understanding that:– Definition of GSICS products to be discussed under item 7– Architecture for climate monitoring to be discussed under item 11– Terms of Reference to be discussed under Item 14

• Consider suggestion to develop– User Requirements document (to be discussed under item 11)– User Guide to GSICS
