Interoperable data formats¶

The diversity of raw data file formats generated by different sonar systems is a major obstacle toward integrative analysis of ocean sonar data at large scales. Echopype addresses this problem by providing tools for converting and standardizing data from manufacturer-specific formats into the netCDF data model, so that data from different instruments are interoperable. NetCDF is the current defacto standard in climate research and is supported by many powerful Python packages for efficient computation, of which echopype takes advantage extensively.

The section Raw converted data details how echopype handles and represents data unpacked and standardized (“converted”) from the raw files generated by the sonar instruments. Echopype follows the ICES SONAR-netCDF4 convention version 1 to create interoperable data, with exceptions as described in echopype-specific modifications.

The section Processed data provides information for the format of derived data products, such as calibrated Sv data. These data products are based on the general netCDF data model.