a guide to the environmental data coding specification (edcs) final committee draft iso/iec 18025...

A Guide to the Environmental Data Coding Specification (EDCS)

A Guide to the Environmental Data Coding Specification (EDCS)

Final Committee Draft ISO/IEC 18025

Copyright © 2003 SEDRIS™

February 2003 Copyright © 2003 SEDRIS™

Contents

What you will find in this guide An overview of key EDCS concepts Tools for evaluation of the EDCS FCD Submitting comments on EDCS FCD The EDCS Dictionaries

• The nine EDCS Dictionaries

• EDCS Dictionary Entry Fields

The relationships between EDCS Dictionaries Specific things to note about Attributes

• Attribute value types

• Numeric attribute value and interval types

• Attributes: Type specification versus Value instance– Examples of Attributes of type Real, Enumeration, Integer, and Constrained_String

Application to SEDRIS Summary of Key Points


What You Will Find in This Guide

This guide is provided to help you in the review and evaluation of the Final Committee Draft (FCD) of the Environmental Data Coding Specification (EDCS).

This guide provides an overview of EDCS, and briefly describes its major concepts and components.

A description of EDCS dictionaries and their relationships to each other is also provided.

The key aspects of the Attributes dictionary and the variety of attribute types are highlighted.

This guide also highlights some of the tools you can use to make the review of EDCS FCD easier.

A supplemental section is also included that describes the important relationships between the DRM and the EDCS.


After Completing the Material inThis Guide…

You are strongly encouraged to review the Concepts Clause of the EDCS specification.

You are also encouraged to utilize the tools described in this guide. These tools provide an alternative view and access to the material in the specification, and can aid in searching, copying, and sorting the content of the EDCS dictionaries.


An Overview of Key EDCS Concepts

EDCS supports the encoding and communication of qualitative and quantitative information associated with real or virtual environments.

EDCS contains nine dictionaries (see slides 8 and 9 for brief description of each dictionary).• The two primary dictionaries are the Classification and the Attribute dictionaries.

• The other seven dictionaries support the Classification and the Attribute dictionaries.

• Two of the seven, the Group and the Organizational Schema dictionaries, are provided as an aid in locating similar concepts in the Classification and the Attribute dictionaries.

Entries from EDCS dictionaries are used in providing semantics about environmental objects or concepts modeled in exchange formats, software applications, data sets, databases, or data models.

The Definition is the most important part of any EDCS dictionary entry; the next is the entry’s Label.

Specific guidelines are used to construct Definitions and to create Labels (see the sub-clauses 10.2 and 10.3 in the EDCS FCD specification).

Each entry in any EDCS Dictionary defines a single concept and is unique. A Definition may reuse and contain labels from other entries in EDCS in order to best define

the meaning of its concept. Relationship between dictionaries are shown on slides 14-18 (these slides are animated).

EDCS is not a data model. EDCS is not a taxonomy.


Tools for Evaluation of the EDCS FCD [1 of 2]

The EDCS Query Tool - version FCD is a valuable search utility. It can perform complex and powerful text-based searches of the EDCS dictionary entries, which would be otherwise difficult to do with the HTML-based specification alone.

The tool can be used to search the contents of any or all EDCS dictionaries.

The help menu in the tool provides instructions on how to conduct complex searches, and what the tool can do.

The EDCS Query Tool can be used on Win32 and Mac OS X platforms. A current limitation of the EDCS Query Tool is that its displayed content

cannot be copied for pasting to other documents. To select and copy any dictionary entry, you can use the specification itself, or the MS-Excel and MS-Access files (described on next slide) which are also provides as tools.

It is recommended that you use the EDCS Query Tool to perform searches.


In addition to the HTML-based specification and the EDCS Query Tool, the EDCS dictionaries are also provided in two other forms:

• MS-Excel workbook/spreadsheet, and

• MS-Access database. These files can be used to sort, copy & paste, and perform other

operations on the EDCS dictionary entries. The contents of the EDCS Query Tool, the MS-Excel, and the MS-

Access files reflect the EDCS FCD and contain the same exact dictionary entries. However, their presentation approaches are different.

When making comments on the EDCS FCD, please ensure that your comments are not regarding how these tools operate or display the EDCS content, but rather the comments must be based on the content and presentation of the EDCS FCD specification.

Tools for Evaluation of the EDCS FCD [2 of 2]


Submitting Comments on the EDCS FCD

Before generating any comments on the EDCS FCD, you are strongly encouraged to read the two MS-Word documents listed below (these are made available to you through your National Body or Liaison Organization):• Guidelines for submitting comments on EDCS FCD

• Considerations on preparing comments on dictionary entries

It is important that your comments adhere to these guidelines.

The “Guidelines” and the “Considerations” documents also provide valuable information that will help you in organizing and preparing your comments.

Comments that do not adhere to these guidelines and considerations may be returned or rejected.


The EDCS Dictionaries

The EDCS contains nine dictionaries. A brief description of each dictionary is provided in the

subsequent slide. Each dictionary consists of one or more entries. Each entry consists of several fields, depending on the

dictionary. The fields common to all dictionary entries are described in

the subsequent slides. Following the description of common fields, the relationships

of dictionaries to each other is presented in a graphical form. Entries in the Attributes Dictionary can be based on one of

ten data types. Brief descriptions and examples for each type are also included in this section.


EDCS Dictionaries

• EC-classifications: specify the type of environmental objects,

• EA-attributes: specify the state of environmental objects,

• EV-attribute value characteristics: specify information concerning the state of values of EA attributes,

• EE-attribute enumerants: specify the allowable values for the state of an enumerated EA attribute,

• EU-units: specify quantitative measures of the state of real valued EA attributes,

• ES-unit scales: scales for EU units allow a wide range of numerical values to be stated,

• EQ-unit equivalence classes: specify sets of EU units that are mutually comparable and convertible,

• EO-organizational schemas: useful for locating classifications and attributes sharing a common context by EG group, and

• EG-groups: into which concepts sharing a common context are collected.


EDCS Dictionary Entry Fields

Each EDCS entry is composed of several common fields• Definition Field

• Label Field

• Code Field

• Reference and Reference Type Fields

Each of these common fields is briefly described in the following slides• For additional information see sub-clause 4.3 of the EDCS FCD

specification

There are also specific dictionary-dependent fields,• including references to entries in other dictionaries by entry label.

• The specific fields for each EDCS dictionary can be found in their respective Clauses (see Clauses 5, 6, 7, and 8 for additional information on specific fields of each EDCS dictionary).


Common EDCS Dictionary Entry Fields(1 of 3)

Definition Field• A definition of the concept in clear and concise International

English.

• May use “structured references” to concepts in the EC and EA dictionaries.

– EC notation: <label>– EA notation: <<label>>

• Example: reference to EC concept TERRAIN– “A natural subterranean chamber or series of chambers open to the

<TERRAIN>; a cave.”

• Example: reference to EA concept DEWPOINT_TEMPERATURE– “The mean <<DEWPOINT_TEMPERATURE>>, for a defined period of record.”

• An EE entry may also reference another EE entry (for the same EA)

– EE notation <<<label>>>

• Example: reference to RAILWAY_TYPE EE concept MAIN_LINE– “A secondary line of a <RAILWAY>, not the <<<MAIN_LINE>>>; branch line.”



Label Field (ECL, EAL, EVL, EEL, EUL, ESL, EQL, EOL, or EGL)

• A compact and human-readable designator that is used to denote a concept.

• Designator may have multiple components separated by underscore character (“_”).

• Components may be:– English words (e.g.: ECL RIVER_BANK, EAL TERRAIN_ELEVATION)

– Abbreviations from Appendix H (e.g.: EAL ACOUTIC_PWR_LVL_BAND)

– Acronyms from Appendix H (e.g.: ECL ATS_ROUTE, EA SELLAR_RF_FLUX)

– A relational operator ("gt", "lt", "ge", "le", "eq", and "ne") (e.g.: EEL CIRRUS_gt45_ARC_DEGREE)

– A radix delimiter (“r”) (e.g.: EEL BAND_1r25_HZ)

• 59 character limit– Alpha-numeric characters and “_”

– Upper case except relational operators and radix delimiter

• Unique per EDCS dictionary (or EE sub-dictionary)



Code Field (ECC, EAC, EVC, EEC, EUC, ESC, EQC, EOC, or EGC)

• A positive integer• Unique per EDCS Dictionary (or EE sub-dictionary)

Reference Type Field (see sub-clause 4.3.4 of the EDCS FCD

specification for the complete definition of each reference type)

• PR - Prescriptive reference

• AR - Authoritative reference

• DR - Dictionary reference

• IR - Informative reference

Reference Field• One or more citations to:

– Normative references Clause 2 (PR or AR)

– Bibliography (DR or IR)


Dictionary Relationships (1 of 5)

EC

Classifications

Structured Reference

Clause 2: NormativeReferences

Bibliography

Dictionary or Informative Reference

Prescriptive or Authoritative Reference

Citations

makes a reference by label

may make a reference citation

may make a structured reference

EG

Groups

Member of



EGEO

OrganizationalSchema Groups


Attributes

EA

Membership

Classifications

EC

Membership

Composed of /component of





Bibliography

Citations





EA

Attributes


EC

Classifications

EE

AttributeEnumerations

EQ

Unit Equivalence Classes

Rea

lEnumeration

EV

Value Characteristics*

EG

Groups

Member of

*Note:Used with attribute value instances





Bibliography

Citations





EE

AttributeEnumerations

EA

Attributes

Scoped by


EC

Classifications





Bibliography

Citations



The EE dictionary entries are partitioned into sub–dictionaries by enumerated EAs that scope the corresponding entries.

EE entry definitions can make structured references to other EE entries in the same sub–dictionary.



EUES

Scale* Units*

EQ

Unit Equivalence Classes

EA

Attributes

Real

*Note: Used with attribute real value instances

Membership /

Member of





BibliographyCitations




EDCS Attribute Value Types(from Table 4.3, Clause 4)

REAL A real value or a real value interval

INTEGER An integer or an integer interval.

COUNT A cardinal number, an ordinal number, a cardinal number interval, or an ordinal number interval.

INDEX An integer used for identification.

STRING A character string.

CONSTRAINED-_STRING

A STRING whose format and/or values are constrained by an associated scheme identifying the rules comprising the constraint.

KEY A STRING used for identification.

ENUMERATION One of a finite set of mutually exclusive values.

BOOLEAN An ENUMERATION with two values, with values FALSE (1) and TRUE (2), representing the false and true values in a two-valued logic system.

NULL An ENUMERATION with one value, NULL (1), representing no information.

Num

eric

type

sN

umer

ic ty

pes


Numeric Value and Value Interval Types (from Table 4.4, Clause 4)

EDCS attribute value and value interval types Table

EDCS attribute value / value interval type

Definition Code

SINGLE_VALUE A single numeric value. 1

OPEN_INTERVAL The bounded open interval (a, b). 2

GE_LT_INTERVAL The bounded interval [a, b). 3

GT_LE_INTERVAL The bounded interval (a, b]. 4

CLOSED_INTERVAL The bounded interval [a, b]. 5

GT_SEMI_INTERVAL The unbounded interval (a, +infinity). 6

GE_SEMI_INTERVAL The unbounded interval [a, +infinity). 7

LT_SEMI_INTERVAL The unbounded interval (-infinity, b). 8

LE_SEMI_INTERVAL The unbounded interval (-infinity, b]. 9

Interval Types for REAL, INTEGER or COUNT


EA Real Type versus EA Real Value (1 of 4)

Specification of a Real Attribute Type requires:• EAL

• Definition

• EAC

• Value Type = REAL

• EQL

• EGLs, Reference type, citations

Specification of a Real Attribute Value requires :• EA

• EU

• ES

• Storage type, Interval type

• Real Value or Real Interval or EV

EQ replaced by EU+ES

Value Typereplaced by Storage Type +Value

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance



Example Real Attribute Type:• EAL = WATER_CURRENT_SPEED

• Definition = The speed of a <WATER_CURRENT>.

• EAC = 1572

• Value Type = REAL• EQL = SPEED {KM_PER_HOUR, KNOT, METRE_PER_HOUR, METRE_PER_SEC, MILE_PER_HOUR}


Example 1: Real Attribute Value• EA = EAL WATER_CURRENT_SPEED or EAC 1572

• EU = EUL METRE_PER_SEC or EUC 146

• ES = ESL DECI or ESC 12

• Storage type = IEEE Float32, SINGLE_VALUE

• Value = 5.4

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance



Instance Example 2: Interval Real Value• Water current speeds greater than 0.5 m/s and less than or

equal to 1.0 m/s

Encoded as: Real Attribute Value• EA = EAL WATER_CURRENT_SPEED or EAC 1572



• Storage type = IEEE Float32, GT_LE_INTERVAL

• Value = 5, 10



Instance Example 3: EV Value• Water current speed: The value is withheld.

Encoded as: Real Attribute Value• EA = EAL WATER_CURRENT_SPEED or EAC 1572



• Storage type = EV Enumeration

• Value = VALUE_WITHHELD


EA Enumerant Type versus EA Enumerant Value (1 of 2)

Specification of an Enumerated Attribute Type requires :• EAL

• Definition

• EAC

• Value Type = Enumeration

• EE sub-dictionary


Specification of an Enumerated Attribute Value requires :• EA

• EE or EV

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance

EE sub-dictionary replaced by single EE dictionary entry or EV


EA Enumerant Type versus EA Enumerant Value (2 of 2)

Example Enumerated Attribute Type:• EAL = BUILDING_FUNCTION

• Definition = The type or purpose of a <BUILDING>; building function.

• EAC = 206

• Value Type = Enumeration• EE sub-dictionary: ADMINISTRATION, AERATION, AERODROME_TERMINAL, …


Example Enumerated Attribute Value:• EA = EAL BUILDING_FUNCTION or EAC = 206

• EE = EEL LIGHT_HOUSE or EEC = 89

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance


EA Integer Type versus EA Integer Value(1 of 2)

Specification of an Integer Attribute Type requires :• EAL

• Definition

• EAC

• Value Type = Integer


Specification of an Integer Attribute Value requires :• EA

• Storage type, Interval type

• Integer Value or Integer Interval or EV

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance Value Type Integer replaced by

Storage and Interval types


EA Integer Type versus EA Integer Value(2 of 2)

Example: Integer Attribute Type• EAL = YEAR_COMMON_ERA• Definition = The time period as measured by the Gregorian calendar

in whole years since the beginning of the Common Era.• EAC = 1654

• Value Type = Integer• EGLs, Reference type, citations

Example 1: Integer Attribute Value• EA: EAL = YEAR_COMMON_ERA or EAC = 1654

• Storage type = Long_Integer, SINGLE_VALUE

• Value = 2002 Example 2: Integer Attribute Value

• EA: EAL = YEAR_COMMON_ERA or EAC = 1654

• Storage type = Long_Integer, CLOSED_INTERVAL

• Value = 1940, 1945

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance

Inst

ance

Inst

ance


Constrained_String:EA Type versus EA Value (1 of 2)

Specification of a Constrained_String Attribute Type requires :• EAL

• Definition specifying constraint types

• EAC

• Value Type = Constrained_String


Specification of a Constrained_String Attribute Value requires :• EA

• Constraint instance value

• String Value or EV

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance


Constrained_String:EA Type versus EA Value (2 of 2)

Example: Constrained_String Attribute Type• EAL = MARINER_NOTICE_DATE

• Definition = The publication date of a Notice To Mariners; formatted as specified by <<DATE_FORMAT>> or by <<DATE_TIME_FORMAT>>.

• EAC = 669

• Value Type = Constrained_String


Example: of a Constrained_String Attribute Value• EA: EAL = MARINER_NOTICE_DATE or EAC = 669

• Constraint value: { EA = DATE_FORMAT, EE = CCYY_MM_DD }

• String Value = { 2, ‘en’, 10, ‘2002-07-30’}

Spe

cifi

cati

onS

peci

fica

tion

Inst

ance

Inst

ance


Application to SEDRIS

The Use of EDCS

in the

SEDRIS DRM

This section illustrates how EDCS can be applied in practice. The following slides demonstrate how EDCS is used in conjunction with the SEDRIS DRM. The concepts highlighted in this section are applicable to EDCS FCD, however the actual Labels and Codes used are based on the SEDRIS SDK release 3.1 implementation, which corresponds to the EDCS CD.


Classification and Property Classes

Hierarchyor

PrimitiveClass

Property Value

EDCS Classification codeto say what concept is being represented

Classification Data

Zero or more components

EDCS Attribute instanceto give information about the state ofthe concept is being represented

*


<Property> Subclasses

See DRM sheet 6PropertySE_Element_Type meaning;

EDCS_Unit_Code value_unit;

EDCS_Scale_Code value_scale;

Table Property DescriptionSE_Property_Data_Value_Type value_type;

EDCS_Classification_Code component_data_table_ecc;

Property CharacteristicEDCS_Metadata_Code meaning;SE_Property_Data_Value characteristic_value;

Property ValueSE_Property_Data_Value value;

Property Description

*

*

What theattribute is

Scale and Unitsfor REAL attributes

otherwise EUC_UNITLESS

and ESC_UNI

How it is stored

Storage type and value

Qualifyingvalues


<Property Value>

Property ValueSE_Element_Type meaning;



SE_Property_Data_Value value;

meaning.code_type Selects EDCS code or DRM index or variablemeaning.attribute EAC when code_type is SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTEvalue_unit EUC when EA is Real otherwise EUC_UNITLESSvalue_scale ESC when EA is Real otherwise EUC_UNIvalue.value_type Value storage typevalue.u.value_specific Value field corresponding storage type

Example:Property Valuemeaning.code_type = SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTE

meaning.code.attribute = EAC_BUILDING_FUNCTION_TYPE

value_unit =EUC_UNITLESS

value_scale = ESC_UNI

value.value_type = SE_PDV_ENUMERATION

value.u.ee_code = EEC_BLDGFN_LIGHTHOUSE


<Property Value> Examples

Property Valuemeaning.code_type = SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTE

meaning.code.attribute = EAC_WATER_CURRENT_SPEED

value_unit =EUC_METRE_PER_SEC

value_scale = ESC_DECI

value.value_type = SE_PDV_FLOAT

value.u.float_value = 5.4


meaning.code.attribute = EAC_WATER_CURRENT_SPEED

value_unit =EUC_METRE_PER_SEC

value_scale = ESC_DECI

value.value_type = SE_PDV_FLOAT_INTERVAL

value.u.float_interval_value.type = EDCS_INTRVL_TYP_UPPER_CLOSED_LOWER_OPEN

value.u.float_interval_value.upper_bound = 10.0

value.u.float_interval_value.lower_bound = 5.0

Water current speeds greater than 0.5 m/s and less than or equal to 1.0 m/s

Water current speed 0.54 m/s


Qualified <Property Value>


meaning.code.attribute = EAC_FREQUENCY

value_unit = EUC_HERTZ

value_scale = ESC_KILO



Property Descriptionmeaning.code_type = SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTE;

meaning.code.attribute = EAC_ACOUSTIC_PWR_LVL_SPECTRUM;

value_unit = EUC_DECIBEL


AggregateInstance

Hierarchyor

PrimitiveInstance


meaning.code.attribute = EAC_ACOUSTIC_PWR_LVL_SPECTRUM

value_unit = EUC_DECIBEL




This attribute is scoped by a matching <Property Description>so this <Property Value> is qualified by FREQUENCY = 5.7 KiloHertz


Property ValueSE_Element_Type meaning;



SE_Property_Data_Value value;

*

Classification DataEDCS_Classification_Code meaning;

Elaborating Value(s)

Classification Datameaning = ECC_ATMOSPHERE_PROPERTY_SET

“Atmospheric Property Set”

Example:

Classification


Property Valuemeaning.code_type = SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTEmeaning.code.attribute = EAC_PROPERTY_SET_DATA_SOURCEvalue_unit = EUC_UNITLESS value_scale = ESC_UNI value.value_type = SE_PDV_ENUMERANT_CODEvalue.ee_code = EEC_PRPSETDATSRC_FORECAST

Property Valuemeaning.code_type = SE_ELEM_CODE_TYP_ATTRIBUTEmeaning.code.attribute = EAC_PROPERTY_SET_SPATIAL_DOMAINvalue_unit = EUC_UNITLESS value_scale = ESC_UNI value.value_type = SE_PDV_ENUMERANT_CODEvalue.ee_code = EEC_PRPSETSPATDMN_VOLUME

Classification Datameaning = ECC_ATMOSPHERE_PROPERTY_SET

“Atmospheric Volume Forecast Property Set”

Elaborated Classification


Summary of Key Points

Keep this guide handy when reviewing the EDCS FCD specification. Before reviewing any entries in any of the dictionaries

• Study the Concepts Clause of the EDCS FCD.• Review the rules and guidelines in sub-clauses 10.2 and 10.3 of the EDCS FCD

on how definitions and labels are created. Use the EDCS Query Tool to search for specific entries that meet a desired

criterion (for more information, see the help menu in the tool). Use the Excel and Access tools to sort, copy, generate reports, etc. based

on the EDCS dictionary entries. Before submitting comments, consult and adhere to the information in

“Guidelines for submitting comments” and Considerations on preparing comments on dictionary entries” documents.

Do not submit comments that pertain to any of the tools. Comments should pertain only to the EDCS FCD specification.

To avoid submitting duplicate comments, consult with your National Body, or Liaison Organization, representatives.

Your National Body, or Liaison Organization, representatives may be able to offer additional material, provide help, or answer your questions in the review of the EDCS FCD.

a guide to the environmental data coding specification (edcs) final committee draft iso/iec 18025...

Documents

edcs specification

overview of edcs

edcs fcd specification

attribute dictionaries

edcs fcdsubmitting comments

review of edcs fcd easier

primary dictionaries

type specification