Sensor Management System (SMS): Open-source software for FAIR sensor metadata management in Earth system sciences (2512.17280v1)

Abstract: Deriving reliable conclusions and insights from environmental observational data urgently requires the enrichment with consistent and comprehensive metadata, including time-resolved context such as changing deployments, configurations, and maintenance actions. We have therefore developed the Sensor Management System (SMS), which provides a user-friendly and feature-rich platform for modeling even the most complex sensor systems and managing all sensor-related information across their life cycle. Each entity is described via well-defined terms like Devices, Platforms and Configurations, as well as Sites that are further enhanced with attributes for, e.g., instrument manufacturers, contact information or measured quantities and complemented by a continuous history of system-related actions. By further linking the SMS to sub-sequent systems and services like PID-registration or controlled vocabularies and establishing a community of end-users, the SMS provides the central element of a digital ecosystem, that fosters a more consistent, sustainable and FAIR provision of sensor-related metadata.