ASPCS
 
Back to Volume
Paper: Evolution of the IVOA Characterisation Data Model
Volume: 461, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems XXI
Page: 299
Authors: Bonnarel, F.; Louys, M.; Chilingarian, I.
Abstract: The Characterisation data model (Louys et al. 2011a) is a standard of the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) that describes observational datasets in the multi-dimensional parameter space. Defining three properties: coverage, resolution, and sampling along different physical axes (e.g. spatial, spectral, flux) with variable level of details for the description, this model has been used in several IVOA contexts: Simple Spectral Access Protocol, Spectrum Data Model, ObsTAP (Table Access Protocol for the Core Components of the Observation Data Model (Louys et al. 2011b). Here we propose a new version which addresses more completely the most detailed level of description (level 4) dealing with variation maps of coverage, resolution, and sampling. It also introduces new specific axes in order to cover various photometric measurements, velocity and polarimetry. Special care is given for composed data sets. These improvements and add-ons follow the evolution of needs expressed to the uptake of VO tools in various observation domains for data discovery but also for data analysis requirements. This is also introduced to tackle use-cases designed to analyse scientifically datasets in the VO context together with calibration/provenance information.
Back to Volume