Abstract
The retrieval of atmospheric composition from remote sensing
measurements is a complex process that requires the integration of cross
cutting domain knowledge into a coherent software package. The
complexity is increased many times over when the software has to handle
multiple types of instruments, operating in different spectral regions,
each with their own peculiarities. This is further compounded when
trying to combine information from multiple instruments for joint
retrievals. Yet, there is enough overlap between the radiative transfer
and retrieval techniques used by various missions that it is wasteful to
continually reinvent the wheel every time. The Reusable Framework for
Atmospheric Composition (ReFRACtor) is an extensible multi-instrument
atmospheric composition retrieval framework that supports and
facilitates data fusion of radiance measurements from different
instruments in the ultraviolet, visible, near- and thermal-infrared.
This framework is being developed to provide a community available
software package that uses robust software engineering practices with
well tested, community accepted algorithms and techniques. ReFRACtor is
geared not only for the creation of end to end production systems, but
also towards independent investigative scientists who need a software
package to help answer atmospheric composition questions. We will
explain how the use of succint interfaces between components provides
advantages for future proofing, flexibility and reusability. Examples
will be given for translating the logical separation of mathematical and
scientific concepts into software components. We will describe how
having a Python interface to fast compiled algorithms is helpful for
rapid prototyping of new systems. The experience of early adopter
scientists will also be discussed to give a perspective from outside the
software development team.