Defining the Data Type and Units for a Time Series

The first step involved in defining a Time Series element A type of input element that provide a very flexible and powerful way to input external time histories of data. is to define the data type and units for the time series.

Units are specified in the Display Units The units (e.g., m, g, $/day) in which an output is displayed within GoldSim. field. This defines the dimensions An output attribute for an element that defines the dimensionality (in terms of Length, Time and other fundamental dimensions) of the output. of the input and primary output For an element with multiple outputs, the output that has the same name as the element.. By default, a Time Series is dimensionless.

Like all GoldSim elements, the data type is specified by pressing the Type... button.

In most applications, your time series will represent a set of scalar An output consisting of a single value or condition. values (one value at each specified time point). Because this is the default, in most situations, there is no need to edit the Type.

If you do press the Type... button, the following dialog is displayed:

The Type can be defined as a Value (the default) or a series of Discrete Change Signals.

The Order can be defined as a Scalar (the default), a vector A one-dimensional array. or a matrix A two-dimensional array.. Defining time series of vectors or matrices (i.e., in which each time point is defined in terms of an array A collection of variables that share common output attributes and can be manipulated in GoldSim elements or input expressions. of data, rather than just a single datum) is useful in some situations (e.g., defining a time series for the concentrations of a set of chemicals, or the prices for a set of securities).

After the data type and units are defined, the next step is to define the source of the input data for the Time Series.