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CONTENTSReport from CEOS Workshop on Developing Country Activties
Activities of CEOS Ad Hoc Working Group on Networks---This page
Second CEOS User Requirements Workshop
FAO Contribution to Developing Countries
Fourth CEOS Ad Hoc Data Policy Meeting
The International Directory Network (IDN)
Report from CEOS Workshop on Developing Country Activities
CEOS Activities in 1994/News Highlights/CEOS Meeting Calendar
Activities of CEOS Ad Hoc Working Group on Networks
Robert WittyEC/Joint Research Center, Italy
Hiroshi Kikuchi
Earth Observation Planning Dept,
National Space Development Agency of Japan
It is remarkable to see the recent developments in information technology. The computer and communications are changing our world very rapidly. Earth Observation is no exception. The network will bring about a new, revolutionary interaction of users with Earth observation data.
- The user will be able to directly access data from anywhere and at
any time. In the light of the network importance, the Science and Technology
Agency (STA)/National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) proposed
a global network and establishment of a Working Group on Networks at the
CEOS 1993 Plenary. The CEOS Plenary acknowledged the utmost importance
of networks and established the Ad Hoc Working Group on Networks (AHWGN).
AHWGN represents the Preparatory/Definition Phase, and may lead to establishment
of a full CEOS working group. AHWGN is co-chaired by Dr. R. Witty (EC)
and Mr. H. Kikuchi (NASDA) and consists of a reduced tri-partite core of
Europe (ESA/EC), Japan (STA/NASDA) and US (NASA/NOAA). AHWGN has been mandated
with the following tasks.
a) Review the high level requirements for network connectivity and interoperability,
b) Examine existing and emerging network capabilities,
c) Prepare guidelines for the future development of members' network services, and
d) Develop an implementation plan and coordinate the CEOS approach to a global network system. @AHWGN will prepare a final report on its initial work program for the 1994 CEOS Plenary. This article describes the activities of AHWGN and summarizes the progress to date.
Requirements for global networks
AHWGN has been trying to develop a clear understanding of the need for
international networks related to Earth observation activities - both internal
networks (utilized by space agencies for data management and transfer)
and external networks (for user access and support). Efforts were made
to estimate the scale of the international data transfer requirements associated
with future (1998) missions of the AHWGN member agencies - to enable comparison
with the projected network capacity and connectivity, Initial results indicate
significant requirements from the users in Europe, Japan, and USA to share
and exchange the data products and information services from each other's
future missions.
AHWGN also studied the requirements for network services which will
be made available through either internal or external networks. These network
services include.
a) Receive and transfer data to support production of global datasets,
b) Exchange mission information (e.g., planned scheduling),
c) Provide command and control support for cooperative international
missions,
d) Provide user access to international datasets, and
e) Support collaboration services among users.
Existing and emerging network capabilities
AHWGN has been attempting to define an overview of current and future
network capabilities, based upon capability information supplied by individual
countries and agencies with assistance of the Network Subgroup of the Working
Group on Data (WGD). It revealed that numerous activities are being undertaken
to develop network capabilities on national, regional and global scales.
AHWGN also studied network sevices planned in support of future missions.
It is apparent that data networks are already an integral part of the data
management and supply activities of the agencies. Networks will play a
central role in managing and distributing the datasets from future Earth
observation missions, particularly in satisfying the increasing demand
for near-real time data transfer and on-line information service for users.
Concept for global network services
AHWGN has been developing a description of its concept for global network
systems and services with assistance of the Network Subgroup of WGD. AHWGN
has discussed a vision for the future in which the application of network
technology makes possible new levels of cooperation between international
partners in managing data from Earth observation satellites. It also introduced
new concepts for interfacing with users worldwide. This vision revolutionizes
the way in which Earth science data is accessed and utilized.
AHWGN members have agreed that the best way to deveop a global network
concept is in terms of future international network services, based on
the data and information system of the individual international partners
and made interoperable through the adoption of standards, common technology
and coordination in development. This concept is based upon the principle
of maximizing existing resources of individual members through coordination
of network connectivity and service interoperability.
Future works
The AHWGN considers that the immediate approach for CEOS to develop
global network systems and services is to undertake a program of pilot
projects and prototyping to
- Demonstrate connectivity and interoperability between the services
of international @partners and
- Help to evolve user requirements
AHWGN is preparing a proposal for CEOS to address global networks and
network services.
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