GNATSS

Community Seafloor Global Navigation Satellite Systems - Acoustic (GNSS-A) Transponder Surveying Software for geodetic research.

Technologies

  • Python
  • GNSS
  • Scientific Computing
  • Geodesy

Introduction

GNATSS (GNSS-Acoustic Transponder Surveying System) is an open-source software package for fixed-point GNSS-Acoustic processing. It enables precise seafloor geodetic measurements by combining Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) with acoustic ranging techniques.

Key Features

  • Fixed-Point GNSS-A Processing: Process seafloor geodetic survey data with high precision
  • Open-Source Community Tool: Designed to be accessible and extensible by the research community
  • Modern Python Architecture: Built with contemporary software engineering practices
  • Legacy Code Modernization: Successfully ported from Fortran to Python for wider adoption

Technology Stack

Developed using modern Python scientific computing libraries, GNATSS provides a robust framework for seafloor geodesy research. The software enables researchers to process complex geophysical data with improved interoperability and maintainability.

Development Journey

As Principal Lead Research Software Engineer at UW's Scientific Software Engineering Center (SSEC), I led the modernization effort to port legacy Fortran codebase to a modern Python stack. This transformation significantly enhanced community adoption and enabled better integration with the broader scientific Python ecosystem.

Impact

The modernization effort made seafloor geodesy tools more accessible to the research community, enabling new collaborative opportunities and facilitating knowledge transfer across institutions. The open-source nature of GNATSS promotes reproducible science and allows researchers worldwide to contribute and benefit from ongoing developments.

Presentations

DeSanto, J. B., Setiawan, L., et al. (2023). GNSS-Acoustic Transponder Surveying System (GNATSS) - An open-source fixed-point GNSS-Acoustic processing software. AGU23.