A Framework for Integrated Oceanographic Information Systems

The accelerated power of PCs and Unix workstations is encouraging a new generation of advanced oceanographic analysis and forecast tools for both basin and mesoscale problems. However, greater "associatively" (i.e. workflow integration), is required to take full advantage of available tools and data. Workflow integration is needed so that "raw" satellite sensor data can be processed and integrated with other oceanographic data, models and simulations. The goal is to create a seamless framework that automates the processing of data from different types of sensors, transforms them to different coordinate and time reference frames, applies any necessary model-based corrections or imaging enhancements, and then feeds them to anyone of several model-based simulations or forecasting programs. The Phase I approach addresses three major areas: 1. Oceanographic Data Interoperability: uniform access to oceanographic data across different data formats, data models and vendor platforms. 2. Oceanographic Tool Interoperability: ability to communicate with and control existing oceanographic tools and databases. 3. Oceanographic Database Management: ability to manage and share large amounts of data.