Proposal for unified handling of ADCP data from ocean data collection projects. Includes the development of standardized data formats and software converters
Abstract
Today, ADCPs (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers) capabilities and prevalence have increased tremendously and most users emphasis has shifted beyond just basic current measurement. A growing number of science projects have broader scope and participation spanning scientific disciplines, marine institutions, and distant nations. ADCPs also see increasing use in supporting production, operational, and military applications rather thantraditional scientific research. In particular, a growing community of secondary data users want to reuse ADCP data to resolve different problems than those for which the data was originally collected. The proposed project will improve access to ADCP velocity data both for those who have collected the data and for those who seek to reuse data that has been collected by others. To achieve this goal, we will first seek to develop a common data format that allows any existing Teledyne RDI or Nortek ADCP data file to be converted into the new format. The work willinclude agreement and documentation of common engineering units, common interpretation of orientation sensors, and common mapping of non-linear variables. To simplify the use of thirdparty post processing software, we will pick a commonly accessible data format, of which NetCDF is a natural candidate. As part of the proposed project, we will also document the use of new and existing QA/QC procedures as they should be interpreted relative to the new dataformat. In phase II, we propose to write a web accessible software application that takes any existing ADCP file, apply user-selectable QA/QC procedures and rewrites the clean data to the new data format. This software will be accessible as a public service, jointly owned by the proposers. We believe the proposed work will be of great help to the community at large and to the Navy in particular. It has the potential to be a first step on a path to the use and reuse of data that represents decades of large-scale financial and scientific investments. As such, the benefit of the work will be significant relative to the cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012565
Entities
People
- Atle Lohrmann
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy