def METHOD_NAME(self, variable):
    _units = variable.attrs['units'] if 'units' in variable.attrs else None
    variable.attrs.update({
        'platform_name': self.platform_name,
        'sensor': self.sensor,
        'units': _units,
        'orbital_parameters': {
            'satellite_nominal_latitude': float(self.nc['nominal_satellite_subpoint_lat']),
            'satellite_nominal_longitude': float(self.nc['nominal_satellite_subpoint_lon']),
            'satellite_nominal_altitude': float(self.nc['nominal_satellite_height']) * 1000.,
        },
    })
    if 'flag_meanings' in variable.attrs:
        variable.attrs['flag_meanings'] = variable.attrs['flag_meanings'].split(' ')
    # add in information from the filename that may be useful to the user
    for attr in ('scene_abbr', 'scan_mode', 'platform_shortname'):
        variable.attrs[attr] = self.filename_info.get(attr)
    # add in information hardcoded in the filetype YAML
    for attr in ('observation_type',):
        if attr in self.filetype_info:
            variable.attrs[attr] = self.filetype_info[attr]
    # copy global attributes to metadata
    for attr in ('scene_id', 'orbital_slot', 'instrument_ID', 'production_site', 'timeline_ID'):
        variable.attrs[attr] = self.nc.attrs.get(attr)