Working Group IV

Background

The current membership of WGIV is EUMETSAT, China (CMA), India (IMD), Japan (JMA), Korea (KMA), USA (NOAA), Russia (ROSHYDROMET) and WMO.

 In recent years one of the key topics addressed in Working Group IV is the evolution of GEONETCast, a low cost global environment information delivery system which transmits and exchanges data, derived products and services from CGMS satellite systems and other ground-based systems to users worldwide, offering near global coverage (much of Asia, Europe, the Americas). The systems currently making up GEONETCast are the Chinese FENGYUNCast – operated by CMA, EUMETCast – operated by EUMETSAT and GEONETCast Americas – operated by NOAA.

Another key topic is the facilitation of exchange and rebroadcast of satellite data and products between CGMS member agencies. Over the years the Working Group has fostered discussions resulting in the setting up of a growing number of bilateral arrangements allowing access and use of satellite information from satellite systems operating in other parts of the world, not normally “visible” to the user via direct broadcast.

The Working Group also realised that effective data exchange also requires a certain level of standardisation of data formats across CGMS satellite operators, and this too has been a major achievement of recent years.

Objectives of Working Group IV

• To ensure long-term data provision worldwide;
• To ensure continuity of meteorological and other environmental satellite data dissemination;
• To promote low cost data and product exchange services for users allowing easy access to the data.

Working by consensus, WG IV proposes actions and recommendations which are reported to CGMS Plenary sessions. It is then the prerogative of the CGMS Plenary to review the WG IV report and to endorse, or decide differently, on the actions and recommendations made.

 Future Plans

• Support the timely implementation of the Integrated Global Data Dissemination Service (IGDDS) by CGMS Members;
• Further enhancement of Regional ATOVS Retransmission Services (RARS) initiatives;
•  Support the implementation of a Digital Video Broadcast by Satellite (DVB-S) South America service;
•  Achieve full standardisation and coordination of satellite data transmission codes; 

Benefits

• Low cost, easy access to satellite data by a global user community;
• Secured, long-term provision of global standardised services;
• Provision of information on current and future satellite data dissemination systems to users worldwide.