---
title: "Research: systems and technologies | Nexus Observatory"
description: "Systems and technologies for science and research: EO data cubes, Imagery catalogues, Time-series analysis, Essential climate and ocean and biodiversity…"
url: https://observatory.global/industries/research/systems/
publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc.
updated: 2026-11-02
---

[Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)

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[Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/)

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**Systems and technologies** 

# The systems behind research.

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/research/use-cases/)

[Open the explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/research/explainer/)

Reference design, drawn to scale · drag to turn

1. Research · Systems and technologies Instruments for science, run like infrastructure Research site and instrument services, observing networks that fill gaps in the global record, data with provenance from the first sample, and qualification so a result can be reproduced on another instrument. Needs: gaps in the global observing record, instrument uptime at remote sites, calibration traceability, data provenance and open publication.
2. 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/)
3. Platform · Hardware & power Built for the site, not the lab Every reading and every change leaves a record that can be checked later. The same design repeats from the first site to the last. It runs on the open Observatory Protocol, so other providers can join. Crews, software and records stay the same as the network grows. [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
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 · 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/)
6. 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/)
7. Platform · Protocol & Grid Your grid, on the open protocol Private and federated observing grids for networks, agencies and OEMs: providers admitted for a stated scope, devices qualified against the specification, software moved by signed plan and data exchanged across trust domains. Every step leaves evidence. Every reading and every change leaves a record that can be checked later. [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/)
8. Platform · Test and qualification Tested against the specification. State on record Lab and field testing of devices and releases, conformance runs against the protocol, interoperability events where suppliers meet on one test plan, and evidence bundles a buyer, an auditor or a regulator can check without taking our word for it.
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 Research site and instrument services Site power, connectivity, timing and operations for telescopes, flux towers and research stations. Delivered as managed service and professional services, for universities, research infrastructures, space agencies. Scale: Global research sites. Service levels are written as numbers you can measure on your own dashboard. [Talk to sales](https://observatory.global/contact/sales-enquiry/)
13. Next step Plan a research deployment Tell us the sites, the measurements and the people who will use them. We reply with a design and a scope for research. 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** Ground segment

## Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks.

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Shared antenna networks

Pay-per-pass access to antennas across many sites so missions do not have to build their own.

CCSDS 910.4-B (cross support reference model) · CCSDS 911.1-B (SLE return all frames)

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Space link extension services

Standard services that deliver frames and accept commands between a ground station and a remote mission centre.

CCSDS 911.1-B (RAF) · CCSDS 911.2-B (RCF) · CCSDS 912.1-B (forward CLTU)

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Pass scheduling and resource management

Booking, deconfliction and configuration of antennas and modems for each contact.

CCSDS cross support service management

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### High-latitude and polar ground sites

Northern sites that see polar-orbiting satellites on most orbits and cut data latency.

ITU RR Appendix 7 · Rec. ITU-R P.618

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Ground segment cybersecurity

Access control, segmentation, monitoring and recovery for command and control systems.

NIST IR 8401 (satellite ground segment and the Cybersecurity Framework) · ISO/IEC 27001

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Federated and hybrid ground networks

Combining owned, partner and agency antennas behind one scheduling and data interface.

CCSDS 910.4-B (cross support reference model)

[All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/ground-station-as-a-service-and-antenna-networks/)

**02** Remote sensing and Earth observation

## Tasking, ground segment and access.

**Frontier** · Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Optical ground stations

Laser downlink terminals that relieve radio spectrum limits, with weather-diverse site networks.

CCSDS 141.0-B (optical communications physical layer)

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Tasking, mission planning and revisit analysis

Choosing what to acquire and when, modelling revisit, look angle and cloud risk against need.

OGC API - Connected Systems Part 2 (commands and tasking) · OGC Sensor Planning Service 2.0

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Orbit and conjunction data

Standard orbit and conjunction messages used to predict passes and coordinate operations.

CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages) · CCSDS 508.0-B (Conjunction Data Message)

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Ground stations and downlink

Tracking antennas and modems for S, X and Ka-band downlink in Earth exploration-satellite allocations.

ITU Radio Regulations (EESS allocations, e.g. 8025-8400 MHz, 25.5-27 GHz) · ETSI EN 302 307-1 (DVB-S2) · CCSDS 131.0-B

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Space link extension and station networking

Standard services that let a mission use stations operated by others.

CCSDS Space Link Extension (SLE) services

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Tasking, ground segment and access

### Direct broadcast and edge processing

Receiving and processing satellite data on site for minutes-latency products without a round trip to a central archive.

WMO Direct Broadcast Network (DBNet) · CGMS direct readout guidance

[All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/tasking-ground-segment-and-access/)

**03** 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/)

**04** 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/)

**05** 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/)

**06** Remote sensing and Earth observation

## Data cubes, analysis and archives.

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### EO data cubes

Analysis-ready stacks indexed by space, time and band so time series can be computed at scale.

OGC API - Coverages · openEO API 1.2 (OGC Community Standard) · Zarr specification v3

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### Imagery catalogues

Searchable, linked records of scenes and assets so data can be found and streamed without copying.

STAC 1.1 specification · OGC API - Records

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### Time-series analysis

Phenology, trend, anomaly and break detection across years of observations.

CEOS ARD (as input requirement)

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### Essential climate, ocean and biodiversity variables

Agreed variables with accuracy, resolution and stability requirements that frame what to measure.

GCOS 2022 ECV requirements (GCOS-245) · GOOS Essential Ocean Variables

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### Fusion with in situ data and models

Combining satellite, airborne and ground observations with models for gap-free, validated fields.

ISO 19156:2023 (observations, measurements and samples) · WMO WIGOS

Remote sensing and Earth observation · Data cubes, analysis and archives

### Long-term archive and preservation

Keeping raw and processed data with metadata so records stay usable and reprocessable for decades.

ISO 14721 (OAIS reference model) · CCSDS 650.0-M

[All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/data-cubes-analysis-and-archives/)

**07** Every domain

## The rest of the spectrum.

The domains whose layers serve this industry, each with its full directory.

[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 · 64 Power, energy and ruggedisationHow a remote site is powered, stored, distributed, cooled, sealed, tested, grounded, held up and kept safe, from a solar-powered sensor to a hybrid microgrid on a guyed mast.](https://observatory.global/technologies/power/)

[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 · 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/)

[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 · 61 Security, identity and trustHow every node proves what it is and what it runs, how links and keys are protected, how software is traced to its source, how personal data is minimised, and how incidents are found and handled.](https://observatory.global/technologies/security/)

[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 · 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/)

## Bring us the site.

Survey, design, deployment and operation for research. The form names who receives your details.

[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/)

[Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/)

[Home](https://observatory.global/industries/research/)

[Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/research/use-cases/)

[Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/research/fields/)

[Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/research/solutions/)

[Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/research/platforms/)

[Systems and technologies](https://observatory.global/industries/research/systems/)

[Frontier](https://observatory.global/industries/research/frontier/)

[Open](https://observatory.global/industries/research/open/)

[Community](https://observatory.global/industries/research/community/)

[Countries](https://observatory.global/industries/research/countries/)

[Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/research/resources/)

[Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/research/contact/)

[Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Research** . Instruments for science, run like infrastructure.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/)

Research

- [Overview](https://observatory.global/industries/research/)
- [Explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/research/explainer/)
- [Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/research/fields/)
- [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/research/use-cases/)
- [Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/research/solutions/)
- [Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/research/platforms/)
- [Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/research/resources/)
- [Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/research/contact/)

Platforms

- [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/)
- [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/)
- [Software](https://observatory.global/software/)
- [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
- [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/)
- [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/)
- [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/)
- [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/)
- [Space and satellite systems](https://observatory.global/space/)
- [Digital twins and simulation](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/)
- [Data & licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/)
- [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/)
- [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/)

Solutions

- [Early warning](https://observatory.global/use-cases/street-flood/)
- [Wildfire and fire weather](https://observatory.global/use-cases/wildfire-camera/)
- [Environmental compliance](https://observatory.global/use-cases/methane-fenceline/)
- [Asset monitoring](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/)
- [Private networks](https://observatory.global/connectivity/private-5g/)
- [Remote power and sites](https://observatory.global/use-cases/remote-microgrid/)
- [Climate and resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/)
- [Site twins](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/)
- [Data licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/)

Industries

- [Public safety](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/)
- [Government](https://observatory.global/industries/government/)
- [Cities](https://observatory.global/industries/cities/)
- [Civil resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/resilience/)
- [Communities](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/)
- [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/)
- [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/)
- [Water](https://observatory.global/industries/water/)
- [Nature](https://observatory.global/industries/nature/)
- [Oceans](https://observatory.global/industries/oceans/)
- [Agriculture](https://observatory.global/industries/agriculture/)
- [Energy](https://observatory.global/industries/energy/)
- [Telecom](https://observatory.global/industries/telecom/)
- [Transport](https://observatory.global/industries/transport/)
- [Infrastructure](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/)
- [Mining](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/)
- [Industry](https://observatory.global/industries/industry/)
- [Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/)
- [Education](https://observatory.global/industries/education/)
- [Health](https://observatory.global/industries/health/)
- [Insurance and finance](https://observatory.global/industries/insurance/)
- [Events](https://observatory.global/industries/events/)

Products

- [Field Deployment Studio](https://observatory.global/studio/)
- [Station Builder](https://observatory.global/studio/builder/)
- [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/)
- [Data products](https://observatory.global/data-products/)
- [APIs and SDKs](https://observatory.global/protocol/developers/)
- [Edge runtime and fleet](https://observatory.global/software/)
- [Hardware catalogue](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
- [Reference designs](https://observatory.global/protocol/reference-designs/)

Resources

- [Learn](https://observatory.global/learn/)
- [Stories](https://observatory.global/stories/)
- [Environments](https://observatory.global/environments/)
- [Network scenes](https://observatory.global/environments/networks/)
- [Observatories atlas](https://observatory.global/observatories/)
- [Earth and maps](https://observatory.global/earth/)
- [Technologies](https://observatory.global/technologies/)
- [Countries](https://observatory.global/countries/)
- [Spectrum](https://observatory.global/spectrum/)
- [Specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/)
- [Conformance](https://observatory.global/protocol/conformance/)
- [Open source](https://observatory.global/open/)
- [Data credits](https://observatory.global/credits/)

Company

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