The research proposed in this contract concerning investigations of existing and planned Earth Science and Applications Division (ESAD) data management systems and research into utilities for the access and display of scientific data products was completed. A summary of this work is provided

Conover, Helen

Graves, Sara J.

Hardin, Danny M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

FINAL REPORT OF WORK
PERFORMED UNDER NAS8-36955
DELIVERY ORDER 137
Submitted to:
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, ALABAMA
Submitted by:
SCIENTIFIC DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LABORATORY
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
LABORATORY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
Dr. Sara J. Graves
Principal Investigator
July 12, 1992
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1. Introduction
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has completed the
research proposed under contract NAS8-36955. The research addressed the
problems of accessing and utilizing the ever increasing volume of Earth System
Science information available today and projected for the future. Scientists must
be given increased capabilities to rapidly determine the contents of data
inventories, browse data sets of potential interest, and select those desired for
detailed study to efficiently do science in this environment.
The research reported here was done within the scope of existing, and
planned, Earth Science and Applications Division (ESAD) data management
resources, and with the particular needs of ESAD scientists in mind. The
existing Interactive Data Integration and Management System (IDIMS) was
used as the baseline for this work. Extensions were made to allow study of data
set selection methods, graphical user's interface techniques and data inventory
organization approaches. As a result of this research a new IDIMS prototype,
which runs on the ubiquitous UNIX operating system, was begun. The major
tasks which made up this effort are summarized in the following sections.
2. Mainframe IDIMS
IDIMS was originally developed on an MSFC institutional IBM 3090 and
continues to support the ESAD data inventory there. During the progress of
research under this contract the existing capability (Mainframe IDIMS) had to be
maintained. Several software changes were incorporated into this system that
enabled ESAD scientists to better manage and access their data during the
course of this contract. In particular the possibility arose of moving the
underlying database management software from the Engineering Analysis and
Data System (EADS) 3090 to the MIS 3090. A study was performed to
determine the impact of such an action on the Division's day to day operation.
Ultimately this led to the decision not to make the proposed move.
The University of Alabama In Huntsville 1
3. UNIX/IDIMS
Two major parts of this contract's effort were research into data set
selection techniques and visual cueing approaches, and their application to
ESAD data management systems. The UNIX IDIMS prototype was the
centerpiece of this effort. Progress was made from early planning, to conceptual
design and finally to an early prototype.
The original IDIMS system was a text oriented menu system that
executed on the EADS IBM 3090 computer system. To investigate graphical
approaches for more efficient data set selection, a graphical user's interface
(GUI) was desired. The software to support such an interface (UIM/X) ran only
on UNIX workstations. Thus, IDIMS was extended to execute on UNIX
platforms.
Prior to development of actual GUI screens, sample layouts were
produced on paper and presented to division scientists for review. Using the
resulting suggestions initial GUI screens were developed on the UNIX
workstation and once again presented to division scientists. Through this
approach a system of GUI windows was designed and prototyped. The result
was a graphical tool which allowed scientists to enter many different search
criteria at a single screen, without having to navigate through lots of menu
levels. By working closely with the scientists we were able to produce an
interface which better matched their desires and would decrease their data set
selection time.
Designs were also produced for rectilinear and polar map projections
which would allow specification of geographical areas of interest through
simple mouse manipulations. This feature will provide scientists with a quick
natural technique (drawing a box) for defining an area of interest. UNIX IDIMS
will automatically place the latitude and longitude ranges into the data base
query. Designs were produced for a zoom function that would enlarge
geographic areas so that a more precise selection could be made.
The University of Alabama In Huntsville 2
In addition to the graphical user's interface, research was also done on a
system to provide a visual display of reduced resolution images. These browse
images can give scientists a better feel for the content of a data set before the
full resolution data is accessed. This kind of feature will allow scientists to more
precisely select data products for research and potentially reduce the amount of
time spent in initial investigations since bad data products could be visually
isolated and omitted from consideration. Our research concentrated on
techniques for displaying the images, including still frames, movie loops
containing several frames and functions for manipulating the movie loops.
Designs were produced and initial implementation was begun.
The prototype of the UNIX IDIMS system was demonstrated to division
scientists, several visiting scientists and representatives from NASA
Headquarters.
4. ORACLE Testing
UNIX IDIMS interfaces with a commercial data base management system
for the access of data set inventory information. During the period of this
research a new version of ORACLE was released. The utility of the new version
was investigated to ascertain its impact on, and to identify any new capabilities
that could be incorporated into the prototype. Plans were made for the
integration of the UNIX IDIMS interface with underlying metadata contained in
ORACLE.
5. Planning For Weather Services Incorporated Data
Archival
Initial plans were made for an automated archival capability for Weather
Services Incorporated (WSI) composite radar data. This data was being
ingested into MclDAS on the EADS 3090 computer system. The automated
system would transfer the MclDAS images to EADS mass storage files, and
inventory the files under IDIMS.
6. Data Inventory Organization
The current data inventory organization, used in mainframe IDIMS, was
studied under this contract, in order to suggest expanded metadata and more
The University of Alabama In Huntsville 3
kefficient database organization for use with UNIX IDIMS. Additional metadata
fields suggested for future ESAD inventories include geographic coordinates
and data parameter keywords to be associated with the various data files. As
part of this study a list of keywords was presented to all ESAD scientists to be
used in cataloging data under UNIX tDIMS. Their comments were incorporated
and a revised list was formed. The keywords list, which reflects planned data
base organization, interrelates data source, sensor and parameter measured.
Information was also collected from ESAD scientists describing division data
kept in off-line tape libraries. These tape libraries are cataloged in IDIMS and
UNIX IDIMS, along with data kept on-line or near-line on the EADS computer
system.
The use of the Directory Interchange Format (DIF) for directory metadata
provides a consistent organization over a wide range of data sets. DIF
information was collected from various division scientists for entry of selected
data sets into the international Global Change Master Directory.
7. Conclusions and Recommendations
Due to the short 800 hour period of this contract we were able to study
only a few of many options for improving ESAD data management systems.
However, the research described above has shown that the use of graphical
techniques coupled with visual representations of geographic regions,
supported by a common data organization can enhance the productivity of
scientists. An equally important factor demonstrated in this effort was the ability
to incorporate the comments, ideas and desires of ESAD scientists into the
research while it was in progress. This mutual cooperation was vital to the
project and ensured that the issues addressed were those of the scientists who
will ultimately benefit from this work.
The UNIX IDIMS prototype begun in this study is a vehicle which can be
used for continued research in data management. It is only a beginning,
however. The issues touched on in this study need further consideration. The
capabilities prototyped represent only the first step in a series of actions that
ultimately produce quality research data. The data selection methods need to
be extended to produce data base queries. Organizational methods for ESAD
The University of Alabama In Huntsville 4
data sets need to be studied furthe.( and issues related to the production,
transmission, storage and display of browse products investigated. We
recommend that such research continue into these issues and others so that
ESAD scientists can continue to conduct their work in an environment which
provides them with the necessary tools and techniques for meeting the
challenges of Earth System Science Research.
The University of Alabama In Huntsville 5
. v
NASA
ii.i
Report DOcumentation Page.,
1 Report NO
g
4 Title and Subtitle
2 Government Accession No 3 Recipients Catalog NO
5. Report Date
June 12, 1992
Earth Science Data Study
7 Author(s)
Danny M. Hardin
Helen Conover
9 Performing Organization Report No.
The University of Alabama In Huntsville
Computer Science Department
Huntsville, Alabama 35899
_2. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama 35812
15, Supplementary Notes
6 PerformlngOrganlzation Code
8 Performing Org Report No
i0 work Unit No
1 I Contract or Grant No
NAS8-36955 D.O. 137
3 T./#e of Report and Period
Final 9/13/91 to 7/12/92
14 Sponsoring Agency Code
16 AbStract
The research proposed on this contract concerning investigations of
existing and planned Earth Science and Applications Division (ESAD) data
management systems and research into utilities for the access and
display of scientific data products has been completed. Asummary of
this work is provided in the attached report.
i 7 Key Words iSuggested by Authors)
UNIX, IMS, Browse, EADS
i8 Distribution Statement
Unclassified- Unlimited
9 Security Classif (of this reoort
Unclassified
20 Security Classif (of this page)
Unclassified
2i No of Pages
7
22 Price
NASA FORM 1626 Oct 86


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