A query optimization trategy for implementing multi dimensional model in spatial database system

Abstract

Spatial Data Warehouses (SDWs) combine spatial databases (SDBs) and data warehouses (DWs) allowing analysis of historical data. This data can be queried using Spatial On-Line Analytical Processing (SOLAP). SDW and SOLAP systems are emerging areas that raise several research issues. In this paper, we refer to a different problem existing in SDWs that motivated us to propose a framework - a conceptual multidimensional model able to express users' requirements for SDW and SOLAP applications. We present a different research direction that is important to consider providing satisfactory solutions for SDW and for SOLAP systems. That important area is spatial query optimization. For the past several years, the research on spatial database systems has actively progressed because the applications using the spatial information such as geographic information systems (GIS), computer aided design (CAD) and multimedia systems have increased. However, most of the research has dealt with only a part of spatial database systems such as data models, spatial indexes, spatial join algorithms, or cost models. There has been a little research on the spatial query optimization which can integrate them. Most of the spatial query optimization techniques published until now has not properly reflected the characteristics of the SDBs. This paper presents query optimization strategies which take the characteristics of SDBs into account. The application of standard query processing and optimization techniques in the context of an integrated SDB environment is discussed.