1. The Standards and Interoperability Forum
S.J.S. Khalsa
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society

2. ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

3. Strawman: A Process for Reaching GEOSS Interoperability Arrangements
A Standards and Interoperability Forum (SIF) will be created
To carry out impartial review and to recommend solutions to GEO interoperability issues.
Membership in the SIF will be open to any GEO member or Contributing Organization.
The process is to be initiated by those who are attempting to implement a particular GEO Task.
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

4. Guiding Principles of the SIF
The SIF will encourage broader use of existing standards as one factor in recommending interoperability arrangements.
The SIF will consider existing international standards organizations and institutes as a focal point for the GEOSS interoperability objectives.
In rare cases where no existing standard fulfills GEOSS needs, the SIF could identify appropriate Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to carry out the standards development process.
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

5. A Process for Reaching GEOSS Interoperability Arrangements
Present interoperability issue
GEO tasks
SIF
Experts, SDOs, Community
Requests input
Input provided
Recommendation
Accept or Reject
Study for possible existing solutions
Register the issues
as “under review”
Register the recommendations, if “accepted”
GEO interoperability registry
Established Standards Specifications
References
A request for assistance with interoperability arrangements is received from a GEO Task
The issue is entered into the Interoperability Registry with identifier "under review.“
The SIF studies the issue, soliciting community input and invites expert opinion as needed.
After weighing all input and reviewing all options, the SIF recommends a solution.
The proposed solution will be forwarded to the submitting parties. If accepted by the submitting parties, the designation in the Registry is changed to "accepted."
If the solution proposed by the SIF is not acceptable to all parties involved, the scope of interoperability for the affected systems may need to be narrowed in order to achieve consensus.
“Initially Identified
Systems” and underlying GEOSS standards
Entered in
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

6. SIF - Outstanding Issues
Contents of Interoperability Registry
Initial “arrangements” mentioned in 10-yr Implementation Plan Ref. Doc., e.g. ISO 19115?
Protocols adhered to by “initially identified systems” that would be available to other GEOSS components?
Or should it be only those “arrangements” agreed to as part of the “Process” in which specific interoperability issues are resolved?
"All interface implementations should be ... verified through interoperability testing and public demonstrations." [Reference Document]
Does this apply to all interoperability arrangements?
Who certifies compliance?
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

7. IEEE CEO Standards Working Group
Working background on standards issues for GEO since May 2005
Will serve as consultative body for the SIF
Completing 3 tasks:
Compilation EO portals
Survey of standards in use by EO systems
Characteristics of SDOs
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

8. ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

9. Standards In Use Survey
Question 1: Data Formats
Question 2: Metadata Standards
Question 3: Catalog Interoperability Standards
Question 4: OGC Standards
Question 5: Data Acquisition Standards
Question 6: Archival Standards
Question 7: Interoperability
Each Question also asks: What factors did your organization consider in choosing these standards?
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

10. ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006
SDO Characterization
Scope of technical activities
Who may participate?
Scope of participation - National, Regional, International
Requirements for initiating a new project
Process for approval of new project
How leaders are appointed or elected
Who may provide proposals or contributions for the standard?
Process for development of consensus
Timeframes for development of a standard
Who may vote (ballot)
Process for approval of the standard
maintenance procedures, review, revision, and reaffirmation
Availability of standard (cost, access, etc.)
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

11. SDOs Characterized by ISWG
ISO
IEEE
W3C
OGC
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006

12. ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006
Future Activities
Based on Portal Survey, suggest models for GEOSS Portal to DA
Make “Standards in Use” survey available via the Web.
Publish SDO characterization on the Web.
Recommend initial content for Interoperability Registry.
ADC Co-Chair Meeting 19 July 2006