DABEX Data Providers Guide

Data file names.

Data providers are kindly requested to follow the BADC file name convention. Additional rules apply to FAAM file names. Note that the first component of the file name is the instrument (or group of instruments, or model) name. Please refer to the current list of standard instrument/model names. and advise the BADC if your instrument or model is not in the list, or if you would like to record data from several instruments in a single file, so that we can update the list.

Data file format.

Please format your data in NetCDF, using the CF metadata conventions. NASA Ames formatted files are also accepted. If you wish to check that files are correctly formatted before uploading them please use the NetCDF format checker or the BADC NASA-Ames format checker.

Metadata.

It is important that the data be well documented. Please follow the BADC guidelines regarding the submission of metadata. Some standard metadata have to be provided in the data files themselves. Additional separate documents are welcome.

Data file submission.

In order to upload data files or documents to the BADC, you need to be registered with the DABEX group – see the "Access to data" section above. The DABEX web uploader will allow you to submit data files or documents to the BADC. Large amounts of files can also be submitted by ftp (please contact the BADC help desk for further information).