afi met bulletins exchange (ambex) handbook - ICAO

AMBEX HANDBOOK 7th Ed. 15/58
5.5 Regional OPMET Data Banks (RODB)
5.5.1 Two centres have been designated by APIRG (APIRG/13 Conclusion 13/67, 2001), to
serve as Regional OPMET Data Banks: Dakar and Pretoria. FASID Table MET 4C reflects the
requirements for the operation of the AFI OPMET data banks to support the AMBEX Scheme.
5.5.2 The main responsibilities of the RODBs are defined, as follows:
- to support the AMBEX Scheme and to facilitate a regular exchange of OPMET information based
on predetermined distribution within the AFI Region;
- to operate as Inter-regional OPMET Gateway (IROG) with responsibility of exchanging OPMET
information between AFI Region and the adjacent Regions; and
- to provide facilities for request/response type of access to the stored OPMET data for users to
obtain non-regular or occasional information.
Note. — The interrogation procedures applicable to the OPMET data banks and catalogues are provided
in the “AFI Regional Interface Control Document (ICD) - OPMET Data Bank Access Procedures”,
published and maintained by the ICAO Regional Offices in Dakar and Nairobi
5.6 Inter-regional OPMET Gateways (IROG).
5.6.1 The Inter-regional OPMET Gateways in the AFI Region are the designated RODBs. Each
RODB is assigned responsibility for exchange of OPMET information with other ICAO Regions. The
responsibilities of the IROGs for AFI is shown in para. 11.1 of this Handbook.
5.6.2 Support to the SADIS broadcast. The RODBs and IROGs should facilitate the global
exchange of OPMET data carried out through the SADIS satellite broadcast. In order to achieve this,
close liaison should be maintained between the IROGs and the corresponding SADIS gateways.
Availability of AFI data on SADIS should be monitored and any systematic shortfalls of data identified
should be reported to the relevant ICAO regional office.
5.7 Structure of the AMBEX Scheme
5.7.1 The overall structure of the AMBEX scheme is presented in the following diagram