The HDF-EOS Support Group has developed crosswalks (mappings) for Earth Science Metadata and standards. In doing so, several themes emerged that are applicable to any type of metadata. Some themes are specific within a set of metadata and others are associated with the mapping of one set to another or to a standard. This presentation will discuss these themes and possible methods to address them.

1. Lessons Learned in Generating
Crosswalks for Earth Science
Metadata
http://hdfeos.gsfc.nasa.gov/datamapping/index.cfm
Lori J. Tyahla
&
Weijun Su
Global Science & Technology, Inc.
Richard Ullman
NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center
HDF/HDF-EOS Workshop VIII
Aurora, CO, 10/27/2004

2. Overview
The Goal: Interoperability among data systems
The Challenge: Automated translation of metadata
The Method: Develop and maintain crosswalks for translation
The Lessons:
• Definitions need to be complete, unambiguous, further clarified
using examples, and written for a wider audience.
• Automated mapping of a generalized attribute in one system
or standard to more specific attributes in another is not
straightforward.
• Ongoing, diligent human input is required.
HDF/HDF-EOS Workshop VIII
Aurora, CO, 10/27/2004

3. Systems and Standards
The Systems:
•
Earth Observing System Data and Information System
(EOSDIS) Core System (ECS)
•
Earth Observing System (EOS) Clearing House (ECHO)
•
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
The Standards:
•
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, Federal
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
•
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: Extensions for
Remote Sensing Data, Federal Geographic Data Committee
(FGDC-STD-012-2002)
HDF/HDF-EOS Workshop VIII
Aurora, CO, 10/27/2004

4. Steps Toward Reaching Goal
• Write documentation with a wider audience in mind. Provide
clear, complete definitions supported by examples for all classes
and attributes.
• Use valids to help constrain the problem of mapping generalized
attributes on one system to specific ones in another system.
• Designate one person only to develop the crosswalk if possible
to reduce mapping inconsistency due to the subjectivity of the
human element.
HDF/HDF-EOS Workshop VIII
Aurora, CO, 10/27/2004