5.3.2 ChannelSet

A ChannelSet is grouping of Channels with a compatible index for some purpose. As discussed earlier, each Channel effectively has its own index. By compatible index, we simply mean that all of the Channels are either in time or in depth using a common datum.

Figure 5.3.2-1 Channelset is a grouping of channels with a compatible index, for a specific purpose.

There are two main purposes for ChannelSets.

• The ChannelSet can be used as a URI (see the Energistics Identifier Spec) for the purposes for the ETP real-time Channel description and streaming. By passing a ChannelSet URI in the ChannelDescribe message, the consumer can receive metadata on all of the Channels in the set and then begin streaming the channels of interest.
• The ChannelSet can be included in a Log (as described below) in which case it functions as the metadata description of the log data that will be written in ASCII form in the Log file.