WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

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REGIONAL ASSOCIATION V

 

 IMPLEMENTATION - COORDINATION  MEETING ON THE GTS AND ISS IN RA V

 

WELLINGTON,  8 - 12  DECEMBER 2003

 

 

 

RA V/ICM-GTS 2003/Doc. 1.3(2)

(9.X.2003)

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ITEM  1.3

 

 

ENGLISH only

 

 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

 

1.  ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING

 

1.1     Opening of the meeting

The meeting will open at 9.30 a.m. on Monday 8th December 2003 at the offices of the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService), 30 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington.

1.2         Election of the chairperson

1.3         Adoption of the agenda

1.4         Working arrangements

Pre-session and in-session documentation will be in English only.

Participants in the meeting are invited to submit documents related to the various items of the provisional agenda.  Documents should be sent to the Secretariat preferably by electronic mail in MS Word to jmrainer@wmo.int  or be transferred into the WMO FTP server (www.wmo.int) under the sub-directory In-box/To-www/TEM/icmra5.

The WMO Secretariat provides all the available documents, including a documentation plan, in the WMO WEB server under http://www.wmo.int/web/www/TEM/ICM-RA5/documents.htm .

 

2.  REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL METEOROLOGICAL TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK

 

2.1     Status of implementation of RTHs, NMCs, MTN, inter-regional and regional links

2.2     Status of implementation of data-distribution systems via satellite and radio-broadcasts

Under the various sub-items, the meeting will review the status of implementation and operation of the different components of the RMTN, including point-to-point circuits, data distribution systems based on telecommunication services via satellite, satellite-based data collection systems (DCPs) and GTS facilities of RTHs and NMCs.  The meeting will also review the status of operation of other telecommunication systems or services in the Region, including fax and RTT radio-broadcasts, collection of reports from oceanic areas through INMARSAT and coast telecommunication stations, and also usage of telecommunication and data-communication networks and services (e.g. PSPDN, PSTN).  The use of the Internet will be considered under item 4.1. 

All participants are invited to submit a contribution on this matter as regards his/her own RTH and the associated NMCs.

 

2.3     Review of the exchange of observational data and products

The meeting will review the operational aspects of the collection of observational data, and the status of the distribution of observational data and of processed information in the Region, including transmission programmes.  The meeting is expected to identify the deficiencies and to formulate recommendations with a view to improving the exchange and availability of data and products within the Region as well as with other neighbouring Regions. 

Participants are invited to submit views and contributions.

 

 

3.  IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONAL METEOROLOGICAL TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK

 

3.1     Data communication techniques and procedures

3.2     Operational procedures and information

The meeting will review data communication techniques and protocols (e.g. TCP/IP and related protocols), as well as operational procedures applicable to the RMTN, including operational information (Pub.9 Vol. C1 and C2 and RTH routeing catalogues), taking into account the related outcome of CBS and RA V.  It will develop recommendations for implementation as appropriate.

3.3     FWIS overview

The meeting will be informed of the current development of the Future WMO Information System concept.

3.4     RMTN development planning, (including data distribution systems)

The meeting will develop co-ordinated planning and implementation guidelines for the further development, strengthening and upgrade of the GTS in Region V, taking benefit of new telecommunication techniques and services, including TCP/IP based services (FTP, Web), Frame Relay and managed data communication network services. The meeting is expected to review implementation plans for systems based on multipoint telecommunication services via satellite (e.g. EMWIN), including coordination aspects related to the ICAO/WAFS satellite-based telecommunication system (SADIS and ISCS).  The meeting will review plans as regard radiobroadcasts and the possible introduction of new satellite-based systems (DVB and DAB).  The meeting will review technical and operational guidance to NMHSs for the use of telecommunication and data-communication networks and services.

 Participants and, in particular, Mr Kevin Alder (New Zealand) Coordinator on regional aspects of information systems and services, are invited to submit proposals.

 

3.5     National GTS components (national centres and networks)

The meeting will review data-communication techniques, equipment and services applicable to NMCs and RTHs and to national meteorological telecommunication networks with a view to providing guidance for a cost-effective implementation and strengthening of the GTS at the national level in RA V, particularly with respect to national data-collection.  It may also wish to consider possible back-up arrangements at NMCs in case of natural disasters.

Participants are invited to submit proposals. 

 

4.  OTHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SERVICES ISSUES

 

4.1     Utilization of the Internet

Through a one-day workshop held jointly with an Expert meeting on enhanced use of data-communication services, the meeting will review the utilization of the Internet by NMHSs for the exchange of meteorological and related information.  It will assess the experience gained and identify relevant technical and/or operational issues, taking into account the guidance developed by CBS.

Participants are invited to submit proposals. 

 

4.2     Data representation and codes

The meeting will review data representation and codes, taking account the related conclusions and recommendations of CBS.  It will consider possible regional issues.

Participants are invited to submit proposals. 

 

4.3     Migration to table-driven code forms

The meeting will review the plan for migration to table-driven code forms as developed by CBS and endorsed by Cg-XIV, and will consider its regional implications.

 

 

 

 

5.  IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

 

Taking into account implementation plans developed under item 3, the meeting is invited to consider cooperation and support activities, including training aspects, possibly required for facilitating upgrade of the RMTN.  The meeting will be invited to recommend priorities in this respect, especially in the framework of WMO technical co-operation programme activities.

 

 

 

6.  RADIO-FREQUENCIES FOR METEOROLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

 

The meeting will be informed of the issues related to the frequency bands allocated to meteorological activities, including radiosondes, meteorological satellites, spaceborne passive remote sensing, weather and wind profiler radars.

 

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