Working Group IV (WG IV): Data access and end user support
Background
CGMS Working Group IV was first initiated in 1989 to focus on global issues on satellite systems and telecommunication coordination. In 2001, it evolved to address global data dissemination and it further evolved and changed its focus in 2018 and now addresses data access and end user support.
The current CGMS agency participation in WGIV correspond to China (CMA), Europe (EUMETSAT) India (IMD), Japan (JMA), Republic of Korea (KMA), Russia (ROSHYDROMET), USA (NOAA), and WMO. The working group is open to all CGMS members and invited experts.
WG IV Co-chair: Kotaro BESSHO, JMA / Natalia DONOHO, WMO
WG IV Rapporteur: Simon ELLIOTT, EUMETSAT
Scope of Working Group IV
CGMS WGIV provides a regular forum for CGMS agencies to address topics of interest in areas related to data access in general and the contribution to the WMO Information System. The working group will address issues related to the dissemination systems, data formats and metadata exchange, and will also deal with the user interfaces and data access (WGI addresses direct readout systems).
Objectives of Working Group IV
WGIV has the following objectives:
- To support the user-provider dialogue on regional/global scales;
- To support the implementation and evolution of sustained and coordinated communication satellite broadcast systems (e.g. GEONETCAST related);
- To address global or inter-regional data circulation and access (e.g. WIS 2.0/GTS, academic networks, other terrestrial networks, etc.) in coordination with WMO dedicated expert teams;
- To promote the widening of data access, to new missions/providers as well as for other user communities, considering cloud access, small satellite networks, and additional data sharing technologies;
- To support the coordination of metadata for satellites and instruments;
- To address the user readiness for new satellite systems and the WMO-CGMS Virtual Laboratory (VLab);
- To address the notification of changes (and alerts) in satellite data and/or products impacting users, with the aim of defining best practices;
- To address long term data preservation issues related to data access and interoperability;
- To consider research to operations (R2O) with a view to secure the continuation of high-value observations demonstrated with research satellites in a sustainable way, and to maximise research benefits from operational satellites;
- To address the use of satellite systems to mitigate emergency situations;
- To discuss relevant aspects on the implementation of the global contingency plan (as proposed by WGIII) from Plenary; and
- To address topics from the CGMS High Level Priority Plan within the scope of WGIV.