From Ruth Fri Nov 19 20:23:44 1993 From: Ruth (Ruth) Date: 19 NOV 1993 20:23:44 Subject: [IGSMAIL-374] Network Operations Workshop Message-ID: *********************************************************************** IGS Electronic Mail 19-NOV-1993 20:23:44 Message Number 374 *********************************************************************** >From: Ruth Neilan Subj: Network Operations Workshop ------------------------------------ >From: Ruth Neilan Subject: Time:6:28 PM OFFICE MEMO Network Operations Workshop Summary Date:11/18/93 =*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*= Summary Recommendations of the Network Operations Workshop October 118-20, 1993, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Submitted by the IGS Central Bureau (Neilan and Zumberge) and With assistance from Dow, Noll, Chin, Mader =*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*==*=*=*= The IGS Network Operations Workshop was held at the NOAA facilities in Silver Spring, Maryland from October 18 - 20. On the final day of the workshop, summary resolutions were completed and are listed below. Many thanks to John Dow, Carey Noll, Miranda Chin, Gerry Mader, and Werner Gurtner for their assistance in guiding the sessions and focusing on the key issues. IGS STATIONS: Much discussion was generated concerning what is the definition of an IGS station and how to coordinate the data flow of all IGS stations so that the data is easily available to everyone. In terms of the amount of data that is currently flowing to the Global Data Centers, a scheme is being developed to direct the flow of data to an appropriate data center and to list the location of all IGS data as a distributed data archive system. The group also responded to the Analysis Workshop request for data delivery to the Data Centers within one day after observation. There was discussion as to why the data was needed in such a short time if the Analysis Centers still had up to two weeks to process the data. However, it was agreed that this request would be approved wherever possible, especially for the list of stations prepared by the Analysis Centers (see Analysis Center Workshop Summary notes.). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 1: IGS STATION LISTS and DATA HOLDINGS The Global Data Centers must contain as a MINIMUM the data from the following list of stations. This station list was determined according to three criteria: 1) Current use by the IGS Analysis Centers 2) Redundancy of the Network 3) Geographic distribution The following 28 stations must be maintained at an IGS Global Data Center: * Algonquin * x Fairbanks * x Goldstone * x Hartebeesthoek Hobart JPL * x Kokee * Kootwijk Kourou * x Madrid Mas Palomas Matera McMurdo Metsahovi Onsala * x Pamatai Penticton Richmond * x Santiago St. John's Taiwan * Tidbinbilla * Tromso Usuda Westford * Wettzell * Yarragadee * Yellowknife * designated stations that are 'fixed' or constrained by four or more analysis centers. x Station information reports from these stations are requested to be submitted as soon as possible. Data must be held on line for a MINIMUM of 30 days. The list will be reviewed as new stations are implemented and/or at least twice yearly. New IGS stations will be assigned which data center to send their data to by the Central Bureau. The Central Bureau in turn will list the location of each station, the location(s) of the data for the stations, and the contact agency and person responsible for each IGS station. A catalog of all holdings of data will be developed to ensure access to interested parties. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 2: STATION REPORT FORMS AND REPORTING Station Report forms must be submitted documenting the CURRENT status by December 15, 1993. It is important to track past configuration changes of the stations, directions on how to do this will follow in the future. ANY CHANGE IN STATION CONFIGURATION SHOULD BE NOTED AND AN ADVISORY MUST BE TRANSMITTED BY IGSMAIL TO ALERT THE CB, DATA AND ANALYSIS CENTERS TO THE CHANGE OR PROBLEM (e.g., receiver change, antenna relocation, receiver failure , etc.) New stations must submit the station information reports to the Central Bureau at the time they propose to submit the data to the IGS. Requested hardcopy information for the station book is due by January 1, 1994. This includes,: picture of the monument, pictures from the monument of the surrounding facilities, map of station and area, horizon mask plot, These will be duplicated (including color copies of the photos) and distributed as an IGS publication, the IGS Station Information Book. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 3: RINEX 2 COMPLIANCE Summary of RINEX conventions and missing information was sent to each agency by Werner Gurtner. It was agreed that Gurtner would monitor the compliance of the data exchange format for the IGS Central Bureau. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 4: RINEX QUALITY CHECKS Analysis Centers continue to discover problems with the data that should be discovered at the operational centers or at the stations. It was agreed that a common program would be developed that would use the RINEX files as input to determining the quality of the data and the health of the stations. The results of such a program must serve two ways: 1) Feed-back to the stations concerning the status of the receivers and tracking data 2) Alerts and advisories to the analysis centers to assist in improving the efficiency of data processing. It was recognized that all Operational Centers have some method for quality assurance and the measures used and existing program will be exchanged and evaluated to develop this common software. Analysis Centers and Operational Centers have been requested to submit their ideas on this point to Werner Gurtner. Please do so as soon as possible. Specific directions will follow in the near future. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 5: NET OPS CENTER ISSUES Automation of the data downloading, RINEXING, checking and transmission of data to data centers must be implemented. Techniques and procedures will be documented for each center. Network configuration will be documented (also see Resolution 6 below). Formatted summary reports (daily, weekly, monthly, ...) will be developed for the operations. It is necessary to reduce the duplication in data flow, but yet allow for back-up routing of data in the event of a problem at an operational center. Only ONE agency will be responsible for RINEXing a given stations data. Alternative communication links must be studied (Internet, X.25, INMARSAT, Iridium, etc.) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 6: DATA CENTER ISSUES IGS must continue to optimize data flow from the station to the Global Data Center: NOAA will cease delivery of the European data to the CDDIS. This data will be transferred to the CDDIS through the IGN Global Data Center in France. Replacement data must be clearly identified to analysis centers as well as to data centers. E-MAIL WILL BE ISSUED BY THE OPERATIONAL CENTER TO IGSMAIL WHEN RE-SUBMITTING DATA. This procedure may be reviewed in the future. Automation in all areas is necessary. Data Centers will implement (when practical) execution of data processing routines every 6 hours. Back-up data flow capabilities need to be developed and tested. A table (diagram) detailing flow of data from each station to the operational, regional and global data centers will be developed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolution 7: DATA AND PRODUCT HOLDINGS Products must be held on line for a MINIMUM of 12 months will be in the following formats: 1) in standard SP3 files for a MINIMUM of 6 months. 2) in compressed OR standard SP3 format for data more than 6 months old. Note that these are MINIMUM standards, data centers can hold as much data as they can maintain, but must follow at least these minimum guidelines.