The specialty area tutorials described below were intended for scientists, engineers, and environmental modelers who are interested in focused and in-depth treatment of technology topics.

These tutorials were designed to impart insights into the design, techniques, and strategies used in implementation of the EDCS and SRM, as well as provide a better understanding of how the DRM could be used in terrain, ocean, and atmosphere modeling domains.

Quick Scroll To:

• Environmental Data Coding Specification (EDCS)
• Introduction to the SEDRIS Spatial Reference Model (SRM)
• Using SEDRIS in Modeling Domains

The EDCS is the means for identifying the classification and characteristics of environmental objects. Designed as a standalone technology, it unifies the characterization of environmental "things" regardless of the method by which such "things" are represented (e.g., as surfaces, features, etc) or whether they are cast as individual primitives or structured collections. This tutorial introduced the concept of a coding specification, how it is applied to environmental data, and the major environmental coding systems currently in use. It reviewed how the structure and function of the EDCS standard covers all domains of the environment, and how EDCS relates to other coding systems. Examples from various environmental domains were provided. The use of the International System of Units (SI) for specifying measures in the EDCS was discussed. Use of EDCS within the SEDRIS Data Representation Model was described, and mappings between the EDCS and external environmental coding specifications were examined.

This tutorial was for those desiring to define the semantics of environmental data (the environmental "things" and what they "mean"), either as data providers or data consumers or both. Knowledge of other existing taxonomies or standards on environmental classification and attribution was useful, but was not a prerequisite. Prior knowledge of other SEDRIS technologies was not required, however, knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM) was helpful. Both project managers and technical implementers benefited from this tutorial.

The attendee learned about both the current implementation, and the target standardization, of the EDCS. Related standards and coding conventions were discussed as a starting point, providing a reference for mapping to/from other coding systems. Current EDCS shortfalls and planned developments were addressed in order to assist the attendee in preparing to use the EDCS within their domain, and ensuring that ongoing EDCS developments can be taken into account in project planning. Mechanisms for elaborating the EDCS were defined and attendees were encouraged to get involved in extending the EDCS to meet their application requirements.

Presenters:

The SRM is a unified approach for the representation and use of spatial location information. Designed as a standalone technology, the SRM provides a complete and concise treatment of the different descriptions of spatial location, and precisely defines the relationship between various spatial reference frames. These reference frames include inertial, quasi-inertial, geo-based, and non-geo-based systems. The SRM's highly powerful, efficient, and accurate transformation and conversion algorithms complement its strong conceptual foundation with practical coordinate operations. This tutorial provided a detailed review of the SRM capabilities, concepts, and requirements. Significant discussion of earth reference models, map projections, coordinate systems, and spatial reference frames were included, and how and why modelers use coordinate systems (and the many issues that must be addressed in order to insure interoperability) were addressed. Challenges and issues in implementing precise and efficient coordinate transformations were discussed, and an overview of the SRM reference implementation software, and its API, were provided.

This tutorial was for anyone interested in gaining a more complete understanding of the SRM, and plans to use it as a stand-alone component, or as part of a SEDRIS-based application development project. Prior knowledge of other SEDRIS technologies was not required, however, some knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM) was helpful.

At completion, the attendee gained an appreciation for the complexities involved with the use and accurate description of coordinate systems. Topics such as earth reference models, horizonal and vertical datums, geoid, ellipsoids, and augmented map projections, among others, were covered.

Presenters:

SEDRIS fulfills the need for a common environmental architecture that can bring multiple domains (terrain, ocean, air and space) together. This also includes a variety of markets that deal with environmental data. Anyone interested in describing, interchanging, modeling, or specifying environmental data will benefit from the powerful techniques offered by SEDRIS. This tutorial covered how various environmental domains can and have been utilizing SEDRIS. Each part of the tutorial was designed to focus on a particular domain (e.g., terrain, ocean, etc.), allowing an attendee to participate in a particular area of interest. In each part, domain-specific modeling topics were covered, and examples were provided. Such topics as handling tabular data, gridded data, ocean features, air/atmosphere features, hierarchy and classification, attribution of effects, raster and vector data, terrain features, along with examples were covered.

This tutorial was for environmental modelers who are interested in using the DRM to capture their domain-specific data sets using SEDRIS. Prior knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM), or attending the DRM tutorial, was a prerequisite.

Based on the case examples provided, the attendee gained a working understanding of the various techniques for use of the DRM in modeling or converting domain-specific data sets into SEDRIS.

Presenter:

This part of the tutorial provided a translation from traditional digital terrain terminology to SEDRIS. It reviewed the traditional types of digital terrain data: raster, gridded, vector, and polygonal. It addressed where and how each type can be represented within a SEDRIS transmittal -- where to put it if you're a producer, and where to look for it if you're a consumer. Also discussed was that multiple representations of terrain included in a SEDRIS transmittal can be organized and associated with one another.

This part of the tutorial was for those new to terrain data, and those who are experienced with one or more of the traditional types of digital terrain data. Prior knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM), or attending the DRM tutorial, was a prerequisite. Familiarity with some vector data format (e.g., DFAD) was useful.

Those new to terrain data received an overview of the traditional terrain data representations and sources, while more experienced attendees received a "translation table" from the terminology that they're already familiar with, to SEDRIS-speak. Those that were already at least somewhat familiar with vector data (e.g., DFAD) benefited the most from the section on topology.

Presenter:

Much oceanographic data is either tabular or gridded over geographic regions. In this tutorial the SEDRIS representation of tabular and gridded data was reviewed using oceanographic data examples. The modeling of other oceanographic "features" such as fish schools, sea mounts, and rain squalls were also discussed.

This part of the tutorial was for data users and data modelers of oceanographic and atmospheric data, as well as those interested in physics-based modeling. Prior knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM), or attending the DRM tutorial, was a prerequisite.

The attendee gained an understanding of the power and flexibility of SEDRIS Data Table constructs in the setting of the larger Data Representation Model.

Presenter:

The atmospheric portion of the tutorial focused on using the SEDRIS DRM to represent atmospheric data, with primary emphasis on gridded data sets and observation data sets. Example mappings were also presented and discussed.

This part of the tutorial was for those who want to put atmospheric data into an STF, or to retrieve atmospheric information from an STF. Prior knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM), or attending the DRM tutorial, was a prerequisite.

Based on the case examples provided, the attendee gained a working understanding of the various techniques for use of the DRM in modeling, or converting atmospheric data sets into SEDRIS. A mapping for gridded atmospheric data was presented, as well as a preliminary mapping for atmospheric point data.

Presenter: