ISO/TS 19163-2:2020

Overview

ISO/TS 19163-2:2020 specifies an implementation schema for geographic imagery and gridded thematic data. Building on the content models in ISO/TS 19163-1, this Technical Specification defines a concrete, GML-based structure and binding rules that allow the logical UML models to be mapped to real-world encodings (XML/GML and other file formats). It provides a conformance-testable coverage structure consistent with ISO 19123-2, enabling interoperable delivery and exchange of imagery and gridded data.

Key topics and requirements

• Implementation schema (GML-based): A GML application schema that implements the ISO/TS 19163-1 conceptual model for imagery and gridded data.
• UML → XML mapping: Rules and mappings following ISO 19118 and ISO/TS 19139-1 for transforming UML classes, attributes and associations into XML Schema (XSD).
• Encoding rules and bindings: Defined encoding rules for types such as ImageryAndGriddedData, Georectified, Georeferenceable, ThematicGriddedData (categorical and numerical), and subtypes. The document shows how to bind content components to specific encodings and data formats.
• XML Schema requirements class: Normative use of W3C XML Schema; namespaces and target namespace conventions (e.g., gmi, gmd, gml, cis, gmlcov).
• Conformance classes: Two conformance classes - schema implementation and binding rules - with requirements verified by the Abstract Test Suite (Annex A).
• Interoperability considerations: Guidance for mapping to coverage models (ISO 19123) and compatibility with GML Application Schema for Coverages (GMLCOV) and Coverage Implementation Schema (CIS).

Applications and who should use it

• GIS and remote sensing software developers - implement interoperable I/O using GML and coverage encodings.
• Data integrators and catalog managers - bind content components to encodings for distribution (GeoTIFF, JPEG2000, NetCDF, GMLJP2).
• Standards and QA teams - establish conformance tests and validate schema implementations against the Abstract Test Suite.
• Data producers (satellite, airborne, sensor networks) - ensure imagery and gridded products follow a consistent, machine-readable structure for downstream use.
• System architects - design workflows that require precise bindings between logical metadata models and physical file formats.

Related standards

• ISO/TS 19163-1:2016 - Content model for imagery and gridded data (logical UML).
• ISO 19123-2 - Coverage structure and domain-range model for coverages.
• ISO 19118, ISO/TS 19139-1 - UML-to-XML conversion and XML Schema mapping rules.
• OGC GML / GMLCOV / CIS - GML and coverage application schemas referenced for implementation.

ISO/TS 19163-2:2020 is essential for anyone implementing interoperable encoding and delivery of imagery and gridded data, enabling consistent bindings between metadata/content models and practical file formats used across GIS, remote sensing, and earth observation systems.