We are happy to announce you the availability of the new version 2.0 of the Sen2-Agri system.
The first major update of the version 2.0 is the possibility to use MAJA (MACCS-ATCOR Joint Algorithm) instead of MACCS (Multi-sensor Atmospheric Correction and Cloud Screening) for the cloud screening and atmospheric correction of the Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 data. The MAJA code relies on MACCS architecture (developed by CNES-CESBIO) which is designed to use multi-temporal criteria and also includes several features coming from ATCOR (developed by DLR) which did not exist in MACCS or were less elaborated and accurate. It results in a more complete and accurate solution for the cloud screening and atmospheric correction of optical data. Moreover, MAJA supports the format evolution of the L1C Sentinel-2 data active since November 2018, while it is not the case of MACCS.
The second major update of the version 2.0 is the integration of a dedicated visualization tool. This tool is based on the GeoServer project and enables the visualization and analysis of the Sen2-Agri products via standard Web Mapping Services (WMS) and Catalog Services for the Web (CSW).
The version 2.0 also includes the following improvements:
- Support for L1C zip or tar.gz products in L2A processor
- Data sources enhancement to support local DIAS repositories (CreoDIAS, MUNDI, ONDA)
- Failsafe download from SciHub: if a product cannot be accessed/downloaded after several retries from the main data source, it is downloaded automatically from SciHub
- Tile-oriented L2A processing (as opposed to product-oriented) to allow better parallelization
- Retry mechanism for L2A processing: if the L2A processing fails, it is retried several times
- Email alert for abnormal functioning of services
- L1C zip or tar.gz products supported in L2A processor
- Database enhancement by providing more details for MACCS / MAJA processing (logs and cloud, cloud shadow and snow percentages)
This version also includes new GIPP files, specific to MAJA.
Different procedures to update your system
The procedure to install this new version may vary depending on how you are currently using the Sen2-Agri system (ongoing processing, number of sites, etc.). We have identified a list of cases that can represent your current use of Sen2-Agri and for each of them, we have detailed to you how to easily install/update your system. We strongly recommend you reading carefully this section and following the instructions.
You can download the new installation package and follow the instructions given in the section 3.3.1 (installation procedure) of the Software User Manual to install the new version 2.0.
You need first to uninstall your current system. Then, you can download the new installation package and follow the instructions given in the section 3.3.1 (installation procedure) of the Software User Manual to install the new version 2.0.
You can update your system to the new version 2.0 following the instructions given in the section 3.3.2 (update procedure) of the Software User Manual.
Please note that upgrading the existing version to version 2.0 do not perform any upgrade from MACCS to MAJA: this operation has to be done manually by the user.
As explained below, the switch from MACCS to MAJA (and the new associated GIPP files) cannot be performed during the execution of a season. All the L2A processing over the sites must be completed and the sites disabled before switching from MACCS to MAJA. Once the switch is done, we also advice to create a new site even if you monitor the same region as during the last season to avoid compatibility problems between the two different L2A formats generated by MACCS and MAJA.
We recommend before upgrading to version 2.0 to switch to MAJA. The steps for downloading and installing MAJA are described in the section 3.2 of the Software User Manual. After the installation and configuration of MAJA, you can update your system to the new version 2.0 following the instructions given in the section 3.3.2 (update procedure) of the Software User Manual.
You can follow the same instructions as explained in point 3a. It is advisable before upgrading to version 2.0 to switch also to MAJA. The steps for downloading and installing MAJA are described in the section 3.2 of the Software User Manual. After the installation and configuration of MAJA, you can update your system to the new version 2.0 following the instructions given in the section 3.3.2 (update procedure) of the Software User Manual.
!!! To avoid any compatibility problems between the two different L2A formats generated by MACCS and MAJA, we also advice to create a new site for the MAJA L2A processing even if you monitor the same region as during the last season using MACCS.
You can already upgrade the system to version 2.0, without switching to MAJA and without updating the GIPP files, following the instructions given in the section 3.3.2 (update procedure) of the Software User Manual. In this configuration, MACCS will continue to work over your sites until your season is completed. Once all L2A processing over your sites is completed and your sites are disabled, you will have first to download and install MAJA and then update the GIPP files.
!!! To avoid any compatibility problems between the two different L2A formats generated by MACCS and MAJA, we also advice to create a new site for the MAJA L2A processing even if you monitor the same region as during the last season using MACCS.
Given the format evolution of the L1C Sentinel-2 data active since November 2018, which is not supported by MACCS, a season running after Nov. 2018 using MACCS will encounter problems from this date. In this case, you have two solutions: either to accept to limit the monitored season to this date or to run again the L2A processing of the L1C Sentinel-2 data after the swith to MAJA and the update of the GIPP files. In this last case, it is not needed to download again the L1C Sentinel-2 data; it can be retrieved following instructions given in the FAQ section.
Visualization tool
On top of the Sen2-Agri system, you can install the dedicated visualization tool. You can download the new nstallation package and follow the instructions given in the section 5.1 (visualization tool deployment) of the Software User Manual to install the visualization tool. This tool is based on the GeoServer project and enables the visualization and analysis of the Sen2-Agri products via standard Web Mapping Services (WMS) and Catalog Services for the Web (CSW). It requires the minimum hardware configuration detailed in the section 5.1.1 of the Software User Manual. Given this required hardware configuration, we advice you to install the visualization tool on a different hardware than the Sen2-Agri system (or to run it on dedicated CPUs).
Stay tuned !
Would you have any doubt or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us through the System Installation and Configuration thread of the Sen2-Agri forum.
If you would like to be kept inform of our activities such as upcoming events, new system releases and project activities please register.
The Sen2-Agri team
