Work

Adapting OGC's SensorThings API and data model to support data management and sharing for environmental sensors

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Software is critical in managing environmental sensor data. The Open Geospatial Consortium developed the SensorThings standard to address variability across sensors, observed variables, platforms, and protocols, facilitating easier development of sensing and Internet of Things applications. This paper details a Python/Django implementation of the SensorThings application programming interface (API) and a PostgreSQL/Timescale implementation of the SensorThings data model, enhancing availability of robust software for management and sharing of environmental sensor data. The SensorThings API offers a RESTful interface with JSON data encoding, aligning with modern development patterns and facilitating interoperability. Integration of metadata from the Observations Data Model ensures data can be adequately described and interpreted. The API's flexibility allows lightweight query responses or comprehensive metadata inclusion, and a complementary data management API enhances use of SensorThings within multi-user systems. Open-source code and deployment instructions in GitHub enable standalone or cloud deployments, enhancing accessibility and usability for researchers and practitioners.

Source: Environmental Modelling & Software

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106241

Authors: Jeffery S. Horsburgh, Kenneth Lippold, Daniel L. Slaugh

Institution: Utah State University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Monitoring and Data Management

Subfield: Geology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400

Funder: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration