GPS TOOLBOX GPS interactive time series analysis software

Abstract Time series analysis is an important part of geodetic and geodynamic studies, especially when continuous GPS observations are used to explore areas with a low rate of deformation. In this domain, having precise and robust tools for processing and analyzing position time series is a prerequisite. To meet this requirement, a new software package called GPS Interactive Time Series Analysis was developed using the MATLAB language. Along with calculating basic statistics and quality parameters such as mean and variance, the software is capable of importing and visualizing different time series formats, determining and removing jumps and outliers, interpolating data, and producing numerical and publication quality graphical outputs. Furthermore, bivariate statistical analysis (such as correlation coefficients, curvilinear and nonlinear regression), residual analysis, and spectral analysis (such as auto-spectrum, Lomb-Scargle spectrum, evolutionary power spectrum, and wavelet power spectrum) form the main analysis features of the software

Geospatial Data Infrastructure: The Problem of Developing Metadata For . . .

We live in an age of instant information gratification, where increasingly the public in Africa views access to information as a key to their ability to understand and make the right decision. But as has been pointed out repeatedly, there is no guarantee that the quality of information is sufficient in theory or practice to guide decision making, and that the data as presented can be understood without establishing any context to it. Quite often, planning without facts is common; poor decision is familiar because the people who have to make it are ill informed or unaware of who holds the information or how to get hold of it. Even if they have identified what they want, the information cannot be cross- referenced and combined because the data does not use common references for geographical or administrative areas. The need to provide the Geographic Information System (GIS) community with fast, reliable, and up-to-date information has become a challenge for all geoinformation producers and users in Africa. These emphasize the need for geospatial data infrastructure (GDI) in Africa. Developing a proper metadata is the cornerstone of any GDI. In this paper, some of the problems envisaged into the development of the metadata in Africa are outlined and discussed