The GEOSS Architecture

2 Three perceptions of “A System of Systems” A System for Converging Observation Systems Worldwide A System for Integrating Observation, Modeling, and Data Management Systems A System for Coordinating the Nine Socio Benefit Areas DisasterHealthEnergy Climate Water EcosystemAgriculture Weather Biodiversity

3 Definition:Definition: A System-of-Systems (SoS) is a “super-system” comprised of elements that are themselves complex, independent systems which interact to achieve a common goal. –Component systems, functions, and behaviors may be added or removed during its use –It exhibits behavior, including emergent behavior, not achievable by the component systems acting independently –The components systems are managed in large part for their own purposes rather than the purposes of the whole Common Characteristics:Common Characteristics: –The component systems achieve well-substantiated purposes in their own right even if detached from the overall system Not just a large, complex system Constructed of Independent systems Value of the synergy Dynamic, open environment What is a “System of Systems?”

4 SoS Example - Weather Ocean and First Responders Systems Satellite Radiosonde Radar Profiler Weather Systems Ocean State Systems Integrated Storm Impact & Response Measurements & Analysis System Products Responders’ Information California Pictures

5 What is a system of systems Unanticipated benefits of SoS extension beyond MP3 player (Blogs, PODCAST) or Internet purchases Freeways Retail businesses Aircraft IPOD Transportation SoS: Roads +GPS+ ONSTAR

6 Architecture The structure of components, their relationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time.

7 The GEOSS architecture describes how components fit together to produce an overall system capable of providing data and information that will better satisfy requirements than the individual components or systems of which it is composed. The GEOSS architecture links together strategies and systems to facilitate Earth observations in a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained manner. NEEDS

8 GEOSS Challenges Interoperability – what is it and how do we address it Integration of Human factors – broader influence means more impacts Dynamic participation End to end integration – what does it mean?? Multiple ownership/prioritization SOSA understanding

9 Challenges Systems Uniformity of objectives Single corporate direction Cultural uniformity Common Technology Data standards and quality established Process for encouraging or enforcing participation GEOSS Disparate motivations Competing agendas Diverse backgrounds Varying technology levels Multiple views of data standards and quality

10 Interoperability Objective What few things must be the same so that everything else can be different?

11 "The success of GEOSS will depend on data and information providers accepting and implementing a set of interoperability arrangements, including technical specifications for collecting, processing, storing, and disseminating shared data, metadata, and products." GEOSS Architecture - Basic Standards and Services from GEOSS Implementation Plan, 5.3 Architecture and Interoperability

12 Facts for Implementation (1/4) Variety of users : governments, private sector, academic, science,… Users’ requirements and expectations vary a lot. –Users to be closely associated to any design and implementation process Various communities with their own cultures: data & information providers / users with specific system interfaces & data formats, own ways of processing information,.. –No revolution imposed on work habits Seattle Puget Sound WA Canada

13 Facts for Implementation (2/4) Distributed System : Heterogeneous sets of world-wide distributed systems. Different technologies based on multitude of standards, proprietary solutions, … –No new single architecture imposed to everyone., –Preserve the existing infrastructures as much as possible, –Simple and robust interfaces and formats (based on common, open, and widely used standards). –Progressive integration of thematic systems Fusion of sources: Increasing user request for combined use of space and non-space data e.g. multi satellite missions with in-situ observation data

14 Facts for Implementation (3/4) Dynamic, Open system: the SoS should be able to grow & attract third-party data & service providers and accept intermittent participation with disconnected/connected modes without disruption. Comprehensive information flow: end to end - product order, planning, acquisition, processing, archiving and distribution – for data and information

15 Facts for Implementation (4/4) User Interface: Increase demand from users for enhanced quality of geo-spatial data, information and services with more user- friendly, faster, easier and transparent access Dependency between GEO tasks: risks that optimum solutions (technical, programmatic, data policy,..) for a given task are sometimes incompatible across-tasks

16 Build upon existing systems and historical data, as well as existing documentation describing observational needs in various domains The 10-year implementation plan must address cost effectiveness, technical feasibility and institutional feasibility To be sustained over a long period of time, GEOSS needs to be adjustable, flexible, adaptable, and responsive to changing needs Approach

17 Needs-driven - driven by user needs, supports a broad range of implementation options Scope - addresses all observations required for participants to make products, forecasts and related decisions Capabilities - includes observing, processing, and dissemination capabilities, provided by national, regional or international agencies subscribing to GEOSS while retaining their ownership and operational responsibility Principles

18 Data and its exchange and dissemination - observations and products are to be observed, recorded and stored in clearly defined formats Operation - secures the future continuity of observations Catalogue - members and participating organizations and the components they support will be documented in a catalogue that is publicly accessible, network distributed, and interoperable with major Earth observations catalogues Principles

19 Build a flexible architecture and Integration framework on a set of reusable components Leverage existing external and internal standards, architectures, and models Capture future capabilities through open architecture Support wide range of business processes and environments Enable disconnected/connected modes for all implementations Integrate efforts for SoS development from distributed teams Architecture and Interoperability Summary SOA is configurable and scalable to customer needs and leverages robust systems and processes for global interoperability SOA is configurable and scalable to customer needs and leverages robust systems and processes for global interoperability