The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is excited to announce the formation of the OGC GeoDataCube SWG.
The GeoDataCube SWG will improve interoperability between existing datacube solutions, simplify the interaction with different datacubes, and facilitate the integration of data from multiple datacube sources. By following a user-centric approach, the SWG will develop solutions that meet the needs of scientists, application developers, and API integrators.
The goal of the OGC GeoDataCube SWG is to create a new API specifically to serve the core functionalities of GeoDataCubes, such as access and processing, and to define exchange format recommendations, profiles, and a metadata model. The SWG also aims to analyze usability of existing Standards and identify use cases.
Similar to other OGC APIs, the GeoDataCube SWG will create this new standard from existing building blocks, such as existing geospatial Standards, outputs from previous OGC Collaborative Solutions & Innovation Initiatives, and other developer resources in a very use-case driven approach, i.e., with a small core and possible extensions. This will allow for interoperability across future OGC Standards.
With regards to existing and emerging OGC standards, the working group may look specifically at:
- OGC API – Environmental Data Retrieval: A family of lightweight interfaces to access Environmental Data resources.
- OGC API – Coverages: Defining a Web API for accessing coverages that are modeled according to the Coverage Implementation Schema.
- OGC Analysis Ready Data SWG products: proposed Standards to describe specific product types that are often implemented as GeoDataCubes.
- OGC API – Processes: Supporting the wrapping of computational tasks into executable processes that can be offered by a server through a Web API.
- Zarr: An OGC Community Standard for the storage of multi-dimensional arrays of data.
- GeoTIFF and Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF: A format used to share geographic image data.
- Hierarchical Data Format (HDF5): A set of formats designed to store and organize large amounts of data.
The GeoDataCube SWG will follow an agile methodology with the goal to create a first core Standard within the first year. Subsequent iterations may add additional functionality. The GeoDataCube SWG will start with a use case collection and analysis phase that further informs the selection of additional starting points or other work to be considered. The targeted use cases shall reflect real world scenarios, though should allow for a rapid implementation of the GeoDataCube standards without adding unnecessary complexity.
OGC Members interested in staying up to date on the progress of this standard, or contributing to its development, are encouraged to join the GeoDataCube SWG via the OGC Portal. Non-OGC members who would like to know more about participating in this SWG are encouraged to contact the OGC Standards Program.
