Specifying the Inputs to an Information Delay

Within the Information Delay properties dialog, the Display Units determine the dimensions of the Information Delay’s output. This output can only be specified as a value (it cannot be a condition), and can be specified as a scalar, a vector or a matrix. You can specify whether the Information Delay is a scalar, vector or matrix by pressing the Type… button. By default, the output of a new Information Delay element is a scalar, dimensionless value. You can, however, use Information Delay elements to operate on and create vectors and matrices.

The Input Signal and the Initial Value inputs to the Information Delay must have the same attributes (order and dimensions) as the output.

Note: The Initial Value must be a number or a link from a static variable (e.g., a constant Data element or a Stochastic).

Note: The Delay Time for an Information Delay must be greater than or equal to the timestep. That is, GoldSim cannot delay a signal for a smaller time period than a timestep. If you enter a Delay Time which is less than a timestep, GoldSim internally treats the Delay Time as being equal to a timestep. Delay Times that are less than or equal to zero will result in a fatal error.

The Dispersion drop-list provides three choices: “None” (the default), “Erlang n”, and “Std. Deviation”.

If one of the latter two is selected, you must enter a value which quantifies the degree of dispersion to the right of this field. If “Erlang n” is selected, you must enter a dimensionless value greater than or equal to 1. If “Std. Deviation” is selected, you must enter a value with dimensions of time. The value must be greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to the Delay Time.

If the Information Delay is specified as being an array (i.e., a vector or a matrix), you can specify whether the Delay Time and Dispersion are defined as scalars (with the same value being applied to all items of the array), or as arrays (with different values applied to each item of the array). This is done via the Use scalar delay time and dispersion checkbox. If this box is checked (the default), the Delay Time and Dispersion must be entered as scalars. If the box is cleared (which is only possible if the element is specified as an array), the Delay Time and Dispersion must be entered as arrays.