Data Resolution
 
Definition

The <Data_Resolution> field specifies the resolution of the data, which is the difference between two adjacent geographic, vertical, or temporal values. Controlled keywords representing horizontal, vertical and temporal data resolution ranges can be selected. Selection of data resolution ranges will assist users in refining their search for data within specific resolution ranges.

  • <Latitude_Resolution> is the minimum difference between two adjacent latitude values. For example, <Latitude_Resolution>2.5 degrees </Latitude_Resolution>
  • <Longitude_Resolution> is the minimum difference between two adjacent longitude values. For example, <Longitude_Resolution> 0.5 degree </Longitude_Resolution>.
  • <Horizontal_Resolution_Range> is a controlled list of  latitude/longitude resolution ranges.  The range should be selected based on the <Latitude_Resolution> and <Longitude_Resolution>. For example: <Horizontal_Resolution_Range>30 meters -< 100 meters </Horizontal_Resolution_Range>
  • <Vertical_Resolution> is the minimum difference possible between two adjacent vertical values. For example, <Vertical_Resolution> 2 m </Vertical_Resolution>.
  • <Vertical_Resolution_Range> is a controlled list of vertical resolution ranges. The range should be selected based on the specified <Vertical_Resolution>. For example: <Vertical_Resolution_Range> < 1 meter </Vertical_Resolution_Range>.
  • <Temporal_Resolution> is the frequency of data sampled. For example, <Temporal_Resolution> Daily </Temporal_Resolution>.
  • <Temporal_Resolution_Range> is a controlled list of temporal resolution ranges. The range should be selected based on the specified <Temporal_Resolution>. For example: <Temporal_Resolution_Range> Daily -< Weekly </Temporal_Resolution_Range>.
 
Syntax

<Data_Resolution>
    <Latitude_Resolution> Text, including units </Latitude_Resolution>
    <Longitude_Resolution> Text, including units     </Longitude_Resolution>
    <Horizontal_Resolution_Range> controlled horizontal resolution     range keyword </Horizontal_Resolution_Range>
    <Vertical_Resolution> Text, including units </Vertical_Resolution>
    <Vertical_Resolution_Range> controlled vertical resolution range     keyword</Vertical_Resolution_Range
    <Temporal_Resolution> Text, including units      </Temporal_Resolution>
    <Temporal_Resolution_Range> controlled temporal resolution     range keyword </Temporal_Resolution_Range>
</Data_Resolution>

  • All fields may contain 1 to 80 characters of the printable ASCII character set.
 
Usage
  • The <Data_Resolution> field is optional, but strongly recommended, especially for describing remote sensing data sets.
  • The <Data_Resolution> field may be repeated.
  • The <Data_Resolution> subfields are optional may not be repeated within <Data_Resolution>.
  • The author may enter precise horizontal and vertical spatial resolutions, as well as temporal resolutions.
  • The <Horizontal_Resolution_Range>, <Vertical_Resolution_Range> and the <Temporal_Resolution_Range> keywords should be selected from the set of data resolution keywords.
  • Units can be specified in the <Data_Resolution> text fields. Some suggested units are: m (meters), km (kilometers), degree, hourly, daily, weekly, and month.

 

Example

<Data_Resolution>
    <Latitude_Resolution>10 km</Latitude_Resolution>
    <Longitude_Resolution>10 km</Longitude_Resolution>
    <Horizontal_Resolution_Range>10 km - < 50 km or approximately     .09 degree - < .5 degree</Horizontal_Resolution_Range>
     <Vertical_Resolution> 100 m </Vertical_Resolution>
     <Vertical_Resolution_Range>30 m -< 100 m      </Vertical_Resolution_Range>
    <Temporal_Resolution>Two day repeat observations with a repeat     orbit pattern every 16 days.</Temporal_Resolution>
    <Temporal_Resolution_Range>Daily - <     Weekly</Temporal_Resolution_Range>
  </Data_Resolution>

 

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This document should be cited as:
Directory Interchange Format (DIF) Writer's Guide, 2007.
Global Change Master Directory. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. [http://gcmd.nasa.gov/User/difguide/].