SensorML is an approved Open Geospatial Consortium standard and an XML encoding for describing sensors and measurement processes.
SensorML provides a rich collection of metadata that can be mined and used for discovery of sensor systems and observation processes.
This metadata includes identifiers, classifiers, constraints (time, legal, and security), capabilities, characteristics, contacts, and references, in addition to inputs, outputs, parameters, and system location.
SensorML defines and builds on common data definitions that are used throughout the OGC Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) framework.
Archiving of Sensor Parameters - Finally, SensorML provides a mechanism for archiving fundamental parameters and assumptions regarding sensors and processes, so that observations from these systems can still be reprocessed and improved long after the origin mission has ended.
System - Composite physically based model of a group or array of components, which can include detectors, actuators, or sub-systems.
A process chain also includes possible data sources as well as connections that explicitly link input and output signals of sub-processes together.
Detector - Atomic component of a composite Measurement System defining sampling and response characteristic of a simple detection device.
In 1998, under the auspices of the international Committee for Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS), Dr. Mike Botts began development of an XML-based Sensor Model Language for describing the geometric, dynamic, and radiometric properties of dynamic remote sensors.
SensorML design has benefited greatly from the interactions of members of the OGC Sensor Web Enablement Working Group.