Hi GeoServer community.
I would like to propose a new community module to improve Raster Download in the WPS Download process, by supporting NetCDF output.
https://osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOS-11839
The current WPS Download module in GeoServer supports both raster and vector data downloads. For raster data, it allows the extraction of a single GridCoverage2D and exports it to standard formats (for example, GeoTIFF) .
This proposal specifically targets enhancements to the raster download capabilities, with a focus on better handling of SpatioTemporal coverages—datasets that include additional dimensions such as time, elevation, or other custom user-defined dimensions. A trivial example could be water temperature data produced by forecasting models, often delivered via NetCDF or ImageMosaic, with values varying across time and depth.
The enhancement involves allowing users to apply dimension-based filters on the underlying GranuleSource. Matching granules (i.e., individual GridCoverage2D instances corresponding to specific dimension values) will be aggregated into a GranuleStack—similar to the behavior already implemented in WCS 2.0 when trimming across dimensions. The resulting GranuleStack can then be encoded into a NetCDF file, leveraging the existing NetCDF output functionality already available in WCS 2.0 through the NetCDF output extension.
This new functionality will be delivered as a separate community module, that depends on:
- The WPS Download module
- The NetCDF Output extension
By structuring it this way, we ensure that NetCDF-related dependencies are only included when explicitly required, keeping the core WPS Download module lightweight.
Cheers,
Daniele