--- title: "Climate: systems and technologies | Nexus Observatory" description: "Systems and technologies for climate and atmosphere: Temperature, humidity and precipitation, Greenhouse gases and methane…" url: https://observatory.global/industries/climate/systems/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-11-02 --- Climate: the atmosphere observed to the standard science needs: the systems behind it. The loop, step by step: 1. A valley site at first light. 2. The chain from source to console stands ready. 3. Cloud and wind sweep up the valley. 4. The station and the vault register it. 5. Time and place are fixed to every sample. 6. Signed packets hop over the radio link. 7. The relay forwards sealed packets untouched. 8. The edge verifies every signature first. 9. The edge model checks it against its limit. 10. Only a confirmed result leaves the edge. 11. The alert reaches the operator console. 12. The alert arrives with its evidence attached. 13. Record, proof and action are archived together. 14. Everything settles back to idle. 01 / 14 A valley site at first light [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) / **Systems and technologies** # The systems behind climate. The technologies that carry this industry's observations, ranked against what it needs to observe and drawn from across the spectrum. [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/use-cases/) [Open the explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/explainer/) 1. Climate · Systems and technologies The atmosphere, observed to the standard science needs Surface, upper-air and composition networks, greenhouse-gas and methane measurement, Earth observation of heat, fire and ice, and data products that carry calibration and provenance from the instrument to the model. Needs: temperature, humidity and precipitation, greenhouse gases and methane, aerosols and air composition, heat, fire and ice from orbit and long, homogeneous records. 2. Platform · Sensors & instruments Measurements that carry their own proof Weather and environment stations to WMO practice, RF spectrum sensing in the band, and calibration that is traceable, recorded and repeated. Every value leaves with its metadata, quality flag and provenance. Or buy the observations and leave the hardware to us: Sensing as a Service. [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) 3. Platform · Field services Survey to decommission, one accountable crew Ground, RF and power surveyed before anything is chosen, installation and commissioning to the plan, a Managed Site run for you, support by plan, training on your own site, and decommissioning with every part recorded. Changes are versioned, tested and reversible. [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/) 4. Platform · Connectivity Private 5G, AI-RAN and orbit, on site Standalone private 5G and O-RAN, AI-RAN on shared accelerated compute, LEO and GEO backhaul and 3GPP direct-to-device, LPWAN and mesh for sensors over kilometres, PTP timing inside the budget, and the spectrum route for each country. Every reading and every change leaves a record that can be checked later. [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) 5. Platform · Data & licensing Grid data, licensed for your use Research, commercial API, enterprise and government tiers, the licence of every source carried through to every product, routes from licensed to open release, and residency fixed by contract. It is delivered and supported by Nexus Observatory Inc. The evidence travels with the data wherever it goes. [Data & licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/) 6. Platform · Earth observation & GeoAI The ground, measured and modelled Ground-segment downlink and processing at the edge, drone and imagery campaigns planned to the ground sample distance, site twins measured in 3D, and GeoAI trained and checked against field truth, with the source and licence of every layer in view. [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/) 7. Platform · Space and satellite systems From orbit to the ground, on one protocol Spacecraft buses and payload classes, constellations sized to revisit and coverage, non-terrestrial networks and 3GPP direct-to-device, tasking and downlink, and space safety from tracking to conjunction awareness. Every pass, product and link carries its provenance into the grid. The same design repeats from the first site to the last. [Space and satellite systems](https://observatory.global/space/) 8. Platform · Frontier labs The frontier, taken into the field Research pilots that put new instruments, radios and models on real sites, open benchmarks that compare them on the same data, and a path from a paper result to a qualified release, with the method published either way. The evidence travels with the data wherever it goes. [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/) 9. How it scales One base unit, repeated A programme starts with one base node and the instruments it reads. A station adds power and radio, a site adds a relay, a fleet repeats the proven site across many places, and a network federates fleets through edge and core. Capacity grows by adding units, never by replacing what works. 10. Updates Updates in rings, with rollback Software and configuration reach the fleet in rings: a canary site first, then a few, then all, each ring gated on health and data completeness. A failed gate stops the wave and returns each node to its last good release, without a site visit. 11. Field service One crew, from survey to repair The same crew surveys, installs, commissions, calibrates and repairs, working from the site's own record. Each visit updates it, so the next crew knows exactly what is there, when it was last checked and why it was changed. Spares and references are planned from that history. 12. What you get Hydrometeorological and flood observing networks Stream gauges, rain gauges, weather radar and automatic weather stations built to WMO practice, reporting through WIS 2.0 where the agency requires it. Delivered as hardware + software, managed service and build-operate-transfer, for national meteorological and hydrological services, river-basin agencies, utilities. [Talk to sales](https://observatory.global/contact/sales-enquiry/) 13. Next step Plan a climate deployment Tell us the sites, the measurements and the people who will use them. We reply with a design and a scope for climate. An engineer replies with a survey proposal and a scope, and the plan grows from one site to the network you need, at your pace. [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Open the Studio](https://observatory.global/studio/) [Read the stories](https://observatory.global/stories/) **01** Remote sensing and Earth observation ## Processing levels and analysis-ready data. Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### Level 0: raw instrument data Time-ordered packets as received, with communications artefacts removed. CCSDS 133.0-B (Space Packet Protocol) · CCSDS 131.0-B (TM synchronisation and channel coding) Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### Level 1: calibrated and geolocated Radiometric and geometric corrections applied, sensor units and geolocation attached (L1A, L1B, L1C). NASA EOSDIS data processing levels · ISO 19115-2 (imagery and gridded data metadata) Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### Level 2: geophysical variables Per-scene surface reflectance, temperature, backscatter, water or gas quantities at native resolution. CEOS ARD product family specifications Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### Levels 3 and 4: gridded, composited and modelled Space-time composites on fixed grids, and model or assimilation outputs that fill gaps. NASA EOSDIS data processing levels · CF Conventions Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### CEOS analysis-ready data Products pre-processed to threshold and goal requirements so they can be stacked and compared without expert reprocessing. CEOS ARD framework and product family specifications Remote sensing and Earth observation · Processing levels and analysis-ready data ### Atmospheric, terrain and radiometric terrain correction Removal of atmosphere, illumination and topographic effects so pixels represent the surface. CEOS ARD Surface Reflectance · CEOS ARD SAR (Normalised Radar Backscatter) [All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/processing-levels-and-analysis-ready-data/) **02** In situ sensors and instruments ## Air quality and atmospheric composition. In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Reference gas analysers Continuous analysers for nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide by reference methods. EN 14211 (NOx) · EN 14625 (O3) · EN 14626 (CO) In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Particulate matter monitors Gravimetric and automated PM10 and PM2.5 measurement. EN 12341 (gravimetric PM) · EN 16450 (automated PM monitors) · US EPA 40 CFR Part 53 (reference and equivalent methods) In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Low-cost sensor systems Dense, cheaper sensor networks evaluated and corrected against reference sites. CEN/TS 17660-1:2021 (sensor systems, gaseous pollutants) · US EPA performance targets for air sensors In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Ambient air quality frameworks Regulatory objectives and data quality objectives that set what monitoring must achieve. Directive (EU) 2024/2881 (ambient air quality) · Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CCME) In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Greenhouse gas and reactive gas monitoring High-precision carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide analysers on tall towers and baseline sites. WMO GAW measurement guidelines · WMO Global Greenhouse Gas Watch In situ sensors and instruments · Air quality and atmospheric composition ### Aerosol optics and sun photometry Aerosol optical depth, absorption and scattering for smoke, dust and satellite validation. WMO GAW aerosol guidelines [All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/sensors/air-quality-and-atmospheric-composition/) **03** Field operations and lifecycle ## Health, safety and evidence records. **Frontier** · Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### Signed photographic evidence Field photos with signed capture time, location and device for audit. C2PA Technical Specification 2.x Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### Occupational health and safety management Hazard identification, risk control and worker participation across all field work. ISO 45001:2018 · Canada Labour Code Part II Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### Tower and structure work Safe climbing, rigging, rescue and RF awareness on communication structures. ANSI/ASSP A10.48 · CSA Z259 series (fall protection) · ANSI/ASSP Z359 (fall protection code) Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### Electrical safety Arc flash and shock risk assessment, safe work practices and lockout. CSA Z462 · NFPA 70E · CSA Z460 (control of hazardous energy) Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### RF safety for workers Exposure limits, signage and power-down procedures near transmitters. Health Canada Safety Code 6 · IEC 62232 Field operations and lifecycle · Health, safety and evidence records ### Remote and lone work Check-in, communications, first aid and evacuation plans for isolated sites. ISO 45001:2018 · Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/field/health-safety-and-evidence-records/) **04** In situ sensors and instruments ## RF, acoustics, cameras and radar. **Frontier** · In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### Event-based and neuromorphic cameras Sensors that report changes per pixel at microsecond rates with very low power. EMVA 1288 (reference for characterisation) In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### Spectrum monitoring receivers Measured occupancy, interference and emissions across bands at a site. ITU-R Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring · ITU-R SM.1880 (spectrum occupancy measurement) In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### Direction finding and emitter geolocation Locating interference and unknown emitters by angle and time difference of arrival. ITU-R SM.854 (direction finding) · ITU-R Handbook on Spectrum Monitoring In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### Acoustic and noise monitoring Class 1 sound level meters and microphone arrays for environmental noise and event detection. IEC 61672-1 (sound level meters) · ISO 1996-2 (environmental noise) In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### EO/IR cameras Visible and thermal cameras characterised for sensitivity, noise and resolution. EMVA 1288 (camera characterisation) · ISO 12233 (resolution measurement) In situ sensors and instruments · RF, acoustics, cameras and radar ### PTZ and networked video systems Pan-tilt-zoom and fixed cameras for wildfire watch, sites and coastlines, with interoperable control. IEC 62676 series (video surveillance systems) · ONVIF Profiles S, T and M [All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/sensors/rf-acoustics-cameras-and-radar/) **05** Ground segment ## Data downlink, processing and distribution. Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Level-0 to Level-2 processing chains Decommutation, calibration, geolocation and geophysical retrieval that turn raw downlink into usable products. CEOS Analysis Ready Data framework · ISO 19115-1 (metadata) Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Analysis-ready data production Products corrected and packaged to a common specification so users can analyse them without reprocessing. CEOS Analysis Ready Data product family specifications Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Catalogues and discovery Searchable catalogues of scenes and products with standard metadata. SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification · OGC API - Records Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Cloud-native geospatial formats Tiled, chunked formats that let users read only the part of a large raster or array they need. OGC Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF Standard · OGC Zarr Storage Specification Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Calibration and validation Ground truth, vicarious calibration and uncertainty reporting behind every product value. CEOS Working Group on Calibration and Validation · QA4EO (CEOS quality assurance framework) Ground segment · Data downlink, processing and distribution ### Low-latency tasking-to-delivery pipelines Automated chains from request to delivered product for time-critical uses such as fire and flood. OGC API - Processes · OGC Sensor Planning Service 2.0 [All 8 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/data-downlink-processing-and-distribution/) **06** In situ sensors and instruments ## Calibration, metadata and quality control. In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### Calibration laboratories and traceability Calibrations tied to SI standards through accredited laboratories with stated uncertainty. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · CIPM MRA (BIPM) In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### Measurement uncertainty Uncertainty budgets that travel with every reading. JCGM 100:2008 (GUM) · JCGM 200:2012 (VIM) In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### Field calibration and intercomparison Travelling standards, field checks and intercomparisons between instruments. WMO Regional Instrument Centres · WMO instrument intercomparisons In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### WIGOS metadata Station and instrument metadata to the WMO standard so others can interpret observations. WMO-No. 1192 (WIGOS Metadata Standard) · WMO-No. 1160 (Manual on WIGOS, station identifiers) · OSCAR/Surface In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### Sensor and procedure descriptions Machine-readable descriptions of sensors, processes and sampling. OGC SensorML 2.1 · ISO 19156:2023 · W3C/OGC SOSA/SSN In situ sensors and instruments · Calibration, metadata and quality control ### Automated quality control Range, rate, flat-line, spike and neighbour tests with flags on every value. IOOS QARTOD manuals · WMO WIGOS Data Quality Monitoring System (WDQMS) [All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/sensors/calibration-metadata-and-quality-control/) **07** Every domain ## The rest of the spectrum. The domains whose layers serve this industry, each with its full directory. [Layers · 8 · items · 61 In situ sensors and instrumentsInstruments placed in the air, water, ground and spectrum, from weather stations to seismometers, radars and cameras, with the calibration, metadata and quality control that make their readings evidence.](https://observatory.global/technologies/sensors/) [Layers · 8 · items · 66 Field operations and lifecycleEverything that happens on the ground across a site's life: survey, permits, design packs, logistics, installation, acceptance, training, operations, maintenance, upgrades, decommission and recycling, done safely and recorded as evidence.](https://observatory.global/technologies/field/) [Layers · 8 · items · 62 5G and 6G radio access networksThe radio access network from site to spectrum: macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters, massive MIMO, NR bands and TDD synchronisation, NR features such as RedCap, positioning and sidelink, private and shared networks, Wi-Fi coexistence, 6G and ISAC, and the planning and assurance that keep it working.](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/) [Layers · 8 · items · 60 AI-RAN and Open RANDisaggregated, software-defined and AI-assisted radio access: the O-RAN architecture and its open interfaces, 7.2x fronthaul, RAN intelligent controllers with xApps and rApps, SMO and O-Cloud, accelerated L1, shared GPU infrastructure for RAN and AI, AI/ML in the 3GPP air interface, energy saving, and the test and integration work that makes multi-supplier RAN deployable.](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/) [Layers · 8 · items · 60 Core and transport networksThe networks behind the radio: the 5G core and its functions, slicing and edge breakout, IMS voice and emergency calling, fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul over microwave, E-band, fibre, free-space optics and satellite, IP/MPLS and segment routing, IPv6, automation and intent, and the security that holds it together.](https://observatory.global/technologies/core/) [Layers · 8 · items · 66 Satellite and space systemsThe space segment end to end: orbits and constellations, spacecraft buses, communications and Earth observation payloads, inter-satellite links, tracking and command, space safety, launch, and the licensing and filings that let a system operate over a site.](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/) [Layers · 8 · items · 63 Ground segmentEverything on the ground that talks to spacecraft: gateways and teleports, user terminals, modems and software-defined radio, shared antenna networks, CCSDS protocol stacks, mission control, data processing and the spectrum coordination behind each earth station.](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/) [Layers · 7 · items · 59 Spectrum, timing and PNTThe shared foundations every network and sensor depends on: how spectrum is licensed, shared and monitored, GNSS positioning and its corrections, packet timing with PTP and SyncE, grandmasters and holdover, resilient PNT alternatives, and the detection of interference, jamming and spoofing.](https://observatory.global/technologies/timing/) [Layers · 8 · items · 54 IoT, LPWAN and meshThe radios, networks, gateways, device management and field protocols that connect low-power sensors and controllers to the grid, sized to a measured power budget.](https://observatory.global/technologies/iot/) [Layers · 8 · items · 59 Data, software and interoperabilityHow observations move from the edge into stores, catalogues and APIs with their provenance, licence and residency attached, and how they interoperate through open standards and the open Observatory Protocol.](https://observatory.global/technologies/data/) [Layers · 8 · items · 67 Remote sensing and Earth observationEvery platform, sensor, processing level and ground-segment step that turns remote measurements of the Earth into calibrated, analysis-ready evidence for a site, a region or a network.](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/) [Layers · 8 · items · 65 GIS, maps and GeoAIThe reference frames, formats, services, analysis methods, machine learning and 3D models that turn observations into located, queryable and decision-ready geographic information.](https://observatory.global/technologies/gis/) [Layers · 8 · items · 65 AI systemsAI from model to accountable operation: edge inference and model optimisation, foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial work, time-series and sensor AI, multimodal fusion and supervised agentic operations, federated and privacy-preserving learning, physical AI and robotics within stated red lines, MLOps, evaluation and model risk, and the governance frameworks that apply to each.](https://observatory.global/technologies/ai/) ## Bring us the site. 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