Integration of QARTOD Tests Within a Sensor: Considerations for Sensor Manufacturers

摘要

Real-time quality control (QC) of oceanographic data is usually accomplished by testing data points against a variety of conditions to identify the quality of the data. Since 2012, the U.S. Integrated Observing System (U.S IOOS) Program Office Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Real-Time Oceanographic Data (QARTOD) Project has worked with the ocean-observing community both nationally and internationally to identify and document standard QC tests. The resulting manuals have sufficient detail for data providers (operators) to program code and implement the tests. Sensor manufacturers are a part of the QARTOD effort, and their input is critical to the development of the QC tests. Some have seen their existing measures of quality control, derived by their instruments, implemented within QARTOD manuals. As they see clients embrace the QARTOD test standards, several have considered implementing some of the tests within the sensor/system itself. This paper examines how some QARTOD tests potentially can be embedded within the sensor firmware and considers the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of doing so. Embedding QC tests is desirable for the operators because it reduces the amount of work required to ensure high quality data. It can also speed the detection of a system failure and subsequent repair, potentially improving data return and reducing costs. The downside of embedded QC includes the cost of software development by manufacturers, who hope that stable standards are in place. The standards documented by the QARTOD Project are developed by the relevant communities, with substantial input from manufacturers. As such, they represent the latest thinking, while also retaining successful practices already in place. However, they are certainly not the only QC standards; if manufacturers choose to proceed with embedded QC processes, they will need to choose which standards to adopt. This can be challenging, given the broad range of accuracies and precisions desired by their customers. The integration of QC tests within sensors is an emerging idea that will be considered by manufacturers and sensor operators alike. The advantages and disadvantages, including costs, accuracy, and other considerations, will be weighed over the next few years. QARTOD will play an important role in keeping the dialogue open about the impact and feasibility of manufacturer-embedded technology that performs certain QC tests.