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Upgrade of the CDI metadata format 

The Common Data Index (CDI) metadata format is a profile of the ISO19115 standard. The Geo-Seas analysis highlighted the need for a number of extensions. This has resulted in an upgraded CDI format  with the following extensions:

  • GML objects to support tracks and polygons next to points
  • Service bindings for extra services (e.g. previewing)
  • Resolution (spatial / temporal)
  • Multiple instruments (to be able to include the positioning systems adjacent to the primary measuring device)

The MIKADO metadata editor tool, available to all partners for the creation of the metadata for their local datasets, has also been upgraded to stay compatible with the upgraded CDI schema.

In addition the CDI portal applications for import, retrieval and presentation have been upgraded to support the format extensions and extra functionality:

  • Inclusion of OGC WMS compliance and support for the CDI mapping services. This makes it possible to add map layers from other WMS services into the CDI interface.
  • The CDI records included in the Geo-Seas portal are now available as a web map service (WMS) and web feature service (WFS) with map layers for points, tracks and polygons and WFS functionality to retrieve the associated metadata. This makes it possible to deliver the CDI map layers along with the CDI records via other WMS clients using the OGC protocol. For example it allows  the locations of CDI records to be displayed as an overlay to the EMODnet Geology map products and facilitate the retrieval of the associated CDI metadata for the geological and geophysical datasets.
  • The identification of CDI entries in the CDI mapping interface has been improved to support the differentiation of single tracks and polygons which are adjacent to points.
  • Inclusion in the CDI user interface of the facility for the storage of personalised search profiles by means of bookmarking in the users browser. The search profiles, including mapping configuration, can be stored in browser favourites.
  • Inclusion of an active summary in the CDI user interface. Users could already prepare a summary of CDI search results but this has been extended so that it is now possible to make an additional search from the summary.
  • The RSM administration tool is used by users to get an overview of their personal data requests and the status of these requests. It is also used by each data provider to get an overview of the users and their requests for the data sets managed by a specific data provider. This has been extended with a reporting functionality which allows data providers to do specific queries on their transaction metadata and then export the results to a .csv file for further analysis in MS Excel. It also includes a summary function which can be used to generate a quantitative and qualitative overview of the transactions that fulfil specific criteria.

An important extension is the inclusion of GML objects in order to describe  the geographical location of tracks and polygons, for example for bathymetric surveys. Tracks and polygons are described as a series of GML objects, each with a maximum of 250 coordinate pairs, which provide a reduced set of coordinates for discovery purposes. Detailed navigation files can be delivered together with the data files. To reduce the number of coordinate pairs one make use of software tools. As part of Geo-Seas the Ends & Bends Java software tool has been upgraded and it now supports UKOOA navigation files.