CEOS ANALYSIS READY DATA


CEOS Analysis Ready Data (CEOS-ARD) are satellite data that have been processed to a minimum set of requirements and organized into a form that allows immediate analysis with a minimum of additional user effort and interoperability both through time and with other datasets.

CEOS-ARD Strategy 2024

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CEOS-ARD Datasets



Information for:

producersData Producers

distributorsData Distributors

usersData Users

CEOS-ARD Framework


Many satellite data users lack the expertise, infrastructure and internet bandwidth to efficiently and effectively access, preprocess, and utilize the growing volume of space-based data for local, regional, and national decision-making. Furthermore, even sophisticated users of EO data typically invest a large proportion of their effort into data preparation. This is a major barrier to full and successful utilization of space-based data, and threatens the success of major global and regional initiatives supported by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). As data volumes grow, this barrier is becoming more significant for all users.

Countries and international organizations have expressed a desire for support from CEOS to facilitate access to and processing of satellite data into CEOS Analysis Ready Data (CEOS-ARD) products. Systematic and regular provision of CEOS-ARD will greatly reduce the burden on global satellite data users.

The CEOS-ARD Governance Framework covers:

Definition


The definition of CEOS-ARD is not exclusive or prescriptive. The definition of CEOS-ARD reflects the attributes of fundamental measurement products for the majority of global remote sensing users with land imaging applications, and are the minimum level required to support time series analysis and data interoperability.

Product Family Specs


Detail specific 'Threshold' and 'Goal' requirements for:

– General Metadata
– Per-pixel Metadata
– Radiometric and Atmospheric Corrections
– Geometric Corrections

A Product Family Specification Template has been developed to provide a starting point for future PFS, to ensure commonality in layout, general structure, interpretation and approach. It provides a foundation and common suite of assessment factors for all PFS.

Product Assessments


Assess how well the specific product complies with each of the metadata and calibration criteria in the Product Family Specification. Includes a description of ‘how’ it complies.

The CEOS Working Group on Calibration & Validation (WGCV) has defined formal processes for how these assessments will be carried out, including the peer reviews that will be undertaken by the WGCV.

Guide to CEOS-ARD Self-Assessments   

Current Product Family Specifications


PFS Type Version Download Metadata Spec Last Updated
Surface Reflectance Optical 5.0.1 PDF | Word
6 December 2023
Surface Temperature Optical 5.0 PDF | Word 8 June 2020
Aquatic Reflectance Optical 1.0 PDF | Word 23 February 2022
Nighttime Lights Surface Radiance Optical 1.0 PDF | Word 2 October 2022
Combined CEOS-ARD for Synthetic Aperture Radar

(Normalised Radar Backscatter [NRB], Polarimetric Radar [POL],
Ocean Radar Backscatter [ORB], Geocoded Single-Look Complex [GSLC])

Radar 1.1 PDF | Word XLSX 23 July 2024

In-progress Product Family Specifications


PFS Type ETA
Interferometric Radar (INSAR) Radar 2024
LiDAR Terrain and Canopy Top Height Optical 2023

CEOS Analysis-Ready Datasets


The following table summarises all of the satellite EO datasets that have been assessed as CEOS Analysis Ready Data (CEOS-ARD) or which are working towards it (either under development or at the peer review stage). DOI links are provided for access, along with links to further information, sample products, and the completed CEOS-ARD self-assessment and peer review outcome documents.


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