Translation encoding for OGC services

Abstract

Schema translation is an approach to achieve (geospatial) data harmonization. It affords a mechanism to make data described in one specific schema interoperate with others in heterogeneous schemas. Moreover, schema translation has been considered as an alternative to handle legacy (geospatial) data through translating original data into required ones. Schema translation therefore is also considered as a central role in context of INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe). To achieve computer controllable schema translation, a variety of software products have already been developed based on different technologies. However, diversities in technologies and interfaces caused difficulties in the interoperation of schema translation in two levels: 1. Interoperation amongst existing schema translation solutions. 2. Interoperation between schema translation processing and standard OGC services. Aiming at interoperations in these two levels, our objective is to present a comprehensively acceptable standard manner for application of schema translation. We propose a new concept Translation Encoding, which focuses on advancing an implementation specification and an encoding language for applying schema translation with standard OGC services. We analyze three kinds of scenarios for translation encoding and decide Provider-Translation as our best practice for Translation Encoding implementation. To interpret translation contents into computer, we present an encoding language: Translation Expression and a corresponding software system design. At last, we develop a prototype to test our conceptual design. According to performance of the prototype, we conclude that our Translation Encoding solution achieves interoperating schema translation with OGC services.