Sensor management

The sensor management system (https://sms.atmohub.kit.edu/) is an innovative tool for the management of sensors and associated metadata. It arose from the Datahub initiative of the Helmholtz association and was initially developed by GFZ Potsdam and the Research Data Management group (RDM) of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig (UFZ). Meanwhile, the Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), research filed Earth and Environment also support the operation and the further development.
The system enables scientists a structured acquisition and management of metadata about devices, platforms and campaigns. In addition to general information like manufacturer, device type, and measured quantities, the calibration history as well as the complete life cycle of the instrument including operation times, maintenance, and repair are also documented.
To ensure the standardization of metadata, a curation process is conducted by the associated Helmholtz centres. This process ensures a consistent subject-specific vocabulary.
Additionally, all sensors get an persistent identifier (PID) through connection to the EUDAT-Service B2INST (https://b2inst.gwdg.de/). PIDs are associated with the respective sensor and enable a worldwide clear referencing.

 

Anemometer im Windkanal Stephan Kraut
Sensors have to be calibrated regulary. Here, an anemometer in the wind tunnel is shown. The calibration history of a sensor is documented in the sensor management system.