GEOPRIV M. Thomson
Internet-Draft Andrew
Expires: June 16, 2007 December 13, 2006
Geodetic Shapes for the Representation of Uncertainty in PIDF-LO
draft-thomson-geopriv-geo-shape-03.txt
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Abstract
This document defines a set of shapes for the representation of
uncertainty for PIDF-LO geodetic location information. This includes
a GML profile and a schema that defines additional geometries.
Further recommendations are made to restrict the use of geographic
Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS) and units of measure restrictions
that improve interoperability.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Conventions used in this document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1. About Location Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1. Coordinate Reference Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.2. Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.3. Confidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1. GML Version and Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2. Coordinate Reference Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3. Units of Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.4. Approximations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4.1. Lines and Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4.2. Planar Approximation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5. Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.1. Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.2. Polygon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.2.1. Polygon Upward Normal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.3. Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.4. Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.5. Arc Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.6. Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.7. Ellipsoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.8. Prism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6. Application Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
7. GML Profile Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.1. geometryPrimitives.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2. geometryBasic2d.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.3. geometryBasic0d1d.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.4. measures.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.5. gmlBase.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.6. basicTypes.xsd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
8. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9.1. URN Sub-Namespace Registration for
urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:pidf:geopriv10:geoShape . . . . . . 38
9.2. XML Schema Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
10. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
11. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
11.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
11.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Appendix A. Calculating the Upward Normal of a Polygon . . . . . 43
Appendix B. Change Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Intellectual Property and Copyright Statements . . . . . . . . . . 46
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1. Introduction
This document defines how geodetic location information is specified
in a PIDF-LO [RFC4119] document.
PIDF-LO [RFC4119] specifies that the feature schema from version 3.0
of GML be supported by all implementations. However, this is not
practical for a number of reasons.
The feature schema, and the schema that it relies upon, includes a
sizable proportion of the GML data types. This includes parts of the
geometry and temporal schema that are rarely applicable in the domain
where PIDF-LO is used. This means that implementations are required
to support portions of the GML specification that are not and, in
some cases, cannot be used.
GML is structured to be used within an application schema. An
application schema being a schema constructed for a particular
application that both limits GML to what is applicable and provides
application-specific types. PIDF-LO does not define such a schema.
As a result this increases the complexity of implementation and
decreases the usability of GML within PIDF-LO. If PIDF-LO is to be
usable in the internet domain, it requires that such a schema is
defined.
This document defines an application schema and profile for using GML
within PIDF-LO. This includes a small subset of GML geometry that is
expanded by a new schema that defines additional geometries.
These geometries, or shapes, are designed to provide a simple
representation of shapes that are in common usage. In particular,
these shapes are useful for the representation of uncertainty that
arises from location determination technologies. A range of these
shapes arise from wireless location technologies, and others are
suited to geodetic representations of civic features, such as
buildings and residental allotments. These shapes enable easy
translation from location information in other document formats into
the PIDF-LO form.
This document also updates the PIDF-LO specification [RFC4119] to
state that the geometry specified in this document is the only
requirement for geodetic shapes.
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2. Conventions used in this document
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119].
This document uses geodesy and mathematics terminology. While this
has been limited as far as is practical, some degree of familiarity
with these disciplines and their terminology is helpful. In
particular, terminology following the definitions in GML 3.1.1
[OGC.GML-3.1.1] is used.
When referring to XML element, attribute and type definitions by
name, this document uses namespace prefixes to distinguish between
elements in different namespaces. The "gml:" prefix refers to
elements from the "http://www.opengis.net/gml" namespace
[OGC.GML-3.1.1]; the "gs:" prefix refers to elements from the
"urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:pidf:geopriv10:geoShape" namespace.
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3. Overview
PIDF-LO serves as a document for the representation of Location
Information (LI). This LI identifies the spatial location of a
Target; the Target being a generic entity that is likely to be either
a person or a Device. LI is a component of the Target's presence
information.
The LI that forms the core of a PIDF-LO document originates in the
Location Generator (LG). Depending on the specific circumstances,
particularly the type of access network, the LG can use any number of
methods to determine LI. The range of technologies available for
determining LI are numerous and range from user-provided LI, to
automatic methods such as wire mapping, radio timing, and GPS.
PIDF-LO is designed to be consumed in a wide range of applications.
In some cases the information is presented to a user, maybe in a
graphical representation, as a way of identifying the location of the
Target. Other applications use LI as input to assist in providing a
service.
3.1. About Location Information
Two forms of LI are defined for use in PIDF-LO. Geodetic information
consists of coordinates that identify a location in a particular
coordinate reference system; and civic addresses
[I-D.ietf-geopriv-revised-civic-lo] that identify a location based on
civic norms (countries, cities, streets, etc...). This document is
concerned with geodetic LI only.
The remainder of this section introduces location concepts that
affect how geodetic LI is represented and interpreted.
3.1.1. Coordinate Reference Systems
A coordinate reference system (CRS) specifies how coordinates are
interpreted. For the shapes defined in thie document, only the two-
and three-dimensional WGS84 coordinate reference systems (latitude,
longitude, and perhaps altitude) are mandatory, see Section 4.2. The
shapes defined in this document assume one or both of these CRSs and
may not be applicable to other coordinate reference systems.
3.1.2. Uncertainty
Under ideal circumstances LI would describe a point in space
unambiguously. However, in reality, location determination methods
are imprecise for a variety of reasons.
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Uncertainty can be quantified in measurement in a number of ways,
usually depending on the method that is used to determine LI. An
area or volume is the most common way of representing uncertainty.
For example, an ellipsoid is common for representing uncertainty in
GPS measurements; polygons may be used when LI is converted from a
civic address form; or a circle or ellipse is often used to describe
the coverage area of a radio antenna.
Even if location determination results in a single point, uncertainty
may be specified as a distance from that point. This form of
uncertainty indicates the furthest distance from the given point that
the actual Target is expected to be located given certain sources of
measurement error. This still effectively defines a circular area,
or spherical volume, in which the Target could be located.
This document assumes that any method for determining location is
subject to uncertainty. The absence of uncertainty does not indicate
that there is none, or that the measurement was infinitely precise;
instead, the absence of uncertainty data indicates that the value of
uncertainty could not be (or was not) provided.
3.1.3. Confidence
Confidence is also used in some cases to express the innate
variability of location determination. Variability in determining
location cannot always be addressed by uncertainty. Confidence is a
statistical measure indicating the probability that the given region
of uncertainty actually covers the Target's actual location.
Confidence is typically affected by variation in measurement
parameters. However, confidence can also account for the chance of
human error in the form of data entry errors or exceptional software
faults. Likewise, confidence can cover the probability of
intentional modification of LI (location fraud) beyond the capability
of providers or protocol to prevent.
The application of confidence is controversial. Location
determination methods do not often directly provide this sort of
information, and likewise many applications do not use the value in
any way. In most cases the confidence cannot be used to make a
decision. For instance, one such decision that uses confidence is
whether or not the LI can be used; however, many applications rely on
the assumption that any LI is better than none, so uncertainty is not
considered.
Because uncertainty is difficult to manage, this document does not
include a parameter for conveying confidence. Individual
applications MAY recommend a target level of confidence, but this
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information is not included in the core geodetic shape formats.
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4. General Information
4.1. GML Version and Profile
This document is based on the version 3.1.1 schema of GML
[OGC.GML-3.1.1]. This version updates RFC 4119 [RFC4119].
This document restricts the required set of GML. A profile schema is
included in Section 7. This profile follows the guidelines of
[OGC.GML-3.1.1], it is a copy of the GML schema with portions
removed. GML compliant implementations MAY use the full GML schema
or the "geometryPrimitives.xsd" schema in place of this profile, as
identified by
"urn:opengis:specification:gml:schema-xsd:geometryPrimitives:3.1.1".
The GML profile defined in Section 7 removes all unused parts of GML
from the schema definition. In particular, this includes cross
references using XLink [W3C.REC-xlink-20010627]. The "gml:id"
attribute is retained so that geometry objects MAY still be the
target of a reference.
4.2. Coordinate Reference Systems
Implementations are REQUIRED to support the following coordinate
reference systems based on WGS 84 [NIMA.TR8350.2-3e]. These are
identified using the European Petroleum Survey Group (EPSG) Geodetic
Parameter Dataset, as formalized by the Open Geospatial Consortium
(OGC):
3D: WGS 84 (latitude, longitude, altitude), as identified by the URN
"urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4979". This is a three dimensional CRS.
2D: WGS 84 (latitude, longitude), as identified by the URN
"urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326". This is a two dimensional CRS.
The most recent version of the EPSG Geodetic Parameter Dataset SHOULD
be used. A CRS MUST be specified using the above URN notation only,
implementations do not need to support user-defined CRSs.
Implementations MUST specify the CRS using the "srsName" attribute on
the outermost geometry element. The CRS MUST NOT be respecified or
changed for any sub-elements. The "srsDimension" attribute SHOULD be
omitted, since the number of dimensions in these CRSs is known.
4.3. Units of Measure
GML permits a range of units of measure for all parameters. This
document restricts this set to a single length unit and two angle
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units.
Length measures MUST be specified using metres, which is identified
using the URN "urn:ogc:def:uom:EPSG::9001".
Angular measures MUST use either degrees or radians. Measures in
degrees MUST be identified by the URN "urn:ogc:def:uom:EPSG::9102".
Measures in radians MUST be identified by the URN
"urn:ogc:def:uom:EPSG::9101".
The units of measure MUST be specified on the property element that
contains the value.
4.4. Approximations
The shapes provided in this document are primarily intended to
represent areas of uncertainty. Uncertainty is a product of the
inexact science of determining a location estimate. These estimates
are subject to a range of errors. For these shapes, using
approximations in processing this data does not significantly affect
the quality of the data.
Several approximation methods are described in this document that can
be used to reduce the complexity of algorithms that use these shapes.
Applications and algorithms that rely on this data SHOULD tolerate
small errors that could arise from approximation.
The guidance in this document on approximation techniques are not
appropriate for shapes that cover large areas, or for applications
where greater precision is required. Any guidance on approximations
is appropriate to the application of these shapes to personal
location, but might not be appropriate in other application domains.
4.4.1. Lines and Distances
In this document, all lines and measurements are formed by straight
lines. When joining two points, linear interpolation is used, that
is, the shortest path in space rather than the path across the
surface of the ellipsoid (geodesic interpolation). Likewise for
distances, the distance is the length of the shortest path in space.
Implementations MAY use geodesic interpolation between points and for
distance measurement. A geodesic is a line that follows the surface
of a geoid or ellipsoid, which in this context is usually the WGS 84
ellipsoid. Geodesic interpolation can produce a small difference
from straight line interpolation. For use in uncertainty this error
can be accepted, but it is RECOMMENDED that this variation is
constrained to approximately 3% of the total distance.
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For WGS84, the error between a geodesic and a straight line reaches
3% of the distance of the line at approximately 382km at the equator.
This distance becomes approximately 131km in the East-West direction
at 70 degrees latitude (North or South). Therefore, for the
representation of uncertainty it is RECOMMENDED that the maximum
distance between two points in a shape be less than 130km. Shapes
that have an absolute latitude of more than 70 degrees SHOULD be
smaller before any approximation is used.
4.4.2. Planar Approximation
A common approximation used for geodesy applications treats the
surface of the ellipsoid as if it were a plane over a small area.
This approximation is more intuitive and simplifies mathematical
operations. Implementations MAY use this approximation method in
interpreting the shapes in this document providing that the size of
the shape is within the guidelines in Section 4.4.1.
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5. Geometry
This document defines a set of geometry that is appropriate for the
encoding of the sorts of LI described in Section 3.1. This section
describes how geometries can be represented using the application
schema defined in Section 6. Pre-existing GML geometries,
"gml:Point" and "gml:Polygon" are also described with examples.
This section clarifies the usage of the zero dimensional Point
(Section 5.1). The following two dimensional shapes are either
clarified or defined: Polygon (Section 5.2), Circle (Section 5.3),
Ellipse (Section 5.4) and Arc Band (Section 5.5). The following
three dimensional shapes are defined: Sphere (Section 5.6), Ellipsoid
(Section 5.7) and Prism (Section 5.8).
A description of the Point, Circle, Ellipse, Sphere, Ellipsoid,
Polygon and Arc Band, including descriptions of their parameters and
explanatory diagrams, can be found in [3GPP.TS23032].
5.1. Point
The point shape type is the simplest form of geodetic LI, which is
natively supported by GML. The "gml:Point" element is used when
there is no known uncertainty. A point also forms part of a number
of other geometries.
A point MAY be specified using either WGS 84 (latitude, longitude) or
WGS 84 (latitude, longitude, altitude). This is shown in the
following examples:
See RFCXXXX.
END 9.2. XML Schema Registration This section registers an XML schema as per the guidelines in [RFC3688]. URI: urn:ietf:params:xml:schema:pidf:geopriv10:geoShape Registrant Contact: IETF, GEOPRIV working group, (geopriv@ietf.org), Martin Thomson (martin.thomson@andrew.com). Thomson Expires June 16, 2007 [Page 38] Internet-Draft PIDF-LO Geodetic Shapes December 2006 Schema: The XML for this schema can be found as the entirety of Section 6 of this document. Thomson Expires June 16, 2007 [Page 39] Internet-Draft PIDF-LO Geodetic Shapes December 2006 10. Acknowledgements The author would like to thank Carl Reed and Ron Lake of the OGC for their help in understanding geodesy and GML. The author would also like to thank Cullen Jennings for asking intelligent questions when noone else did. Thomson Expires June 16, 2007 [Page 40] Internet-Draft PIDF-LO Geodetic Shapes December 2006 11. References 11.1. Normative References [RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997. [RFC4119] Peterson, J., "A Presence-based GEOPRIV Location Object Format", RFC 4119, December 2005. [OGC.GML-3.1.1] Cox, S., Daisey, P., Lake, R., Portele, C., and A. Whiteside, "Geographic information - Geography Markup Language (GML)", OpenGIS 03-105r1, April 2004,