CCSM2.0.1 Climatological Data Ocean Model v5.0.1 (docn5)
Introduction
The CCSM Data Ocean Model, version 5.0.1 (docn5), was released in October 2002, as part of the CCSM2.0.1 release.
Documentation
User Documents: Combined User's Guide, Scientific Description, and Developer's Guide [html] [pdf]
What is a "data ocean model"?
CCSM coupled model is based on a framework which divides the complete climate system into component models connected by a coupler. This design requires four component models -- atmosphere, sea-ice, land, and ocean -- each connected to the coupler, and each exchanging data with the coupler only. From a software engineering point of view, the CCSM is not a particular climate model, but a framework for building and testing various climate models for various applications.
The Climatological Data Ocean Model (docn5) functions as the ocean component in a CCSM configuration. The data ocean component interacts with the flux coupler just like any ocean model would, but it is not an active model. Rather, it takes SST data from an input data file and sends it to the coupler, ignoring any forcing data received from the coupler. The input data file may contain either climatological SST data (e.g. from Shea, Trenberth, & Reynolds) or a time series of multi-year data. Such a "data model" is useful for coupling active atmosphere and land models with climatological or multi-year SST forcing data.
Important note: When assembling a CCSM configuration, carefully consider the limitations and requirements of all components and be sure that the complete set of component models will interact in a meaningful way. In particular, consider whether the data provided by this model is adequate for your application.