Math and Measure
Track and Trend
Both Track and Trend are tools that can be used to plot measurement data and observe variations
with respect to time. The table below summarizes their differences.
In general, Track is the tool to use if you want to capture a continuous stream of data spaced closely
together.
To understand the change in a parameter with time, Trend can be used if your data is spaced widely
apart and longer than the dead-time between acquisitions. Think of Trend as a strip chart recorder for
your instrument.
Characteristic
Track
Trend
Representation
Parameter value vs. time
Parameter value vs. event
Behavior
Non-cumulative (resets after every
acquisition). Unlimited number of
events
Cumulative over several acquisitions
up to 1 million events
Time Correlation to Other Data
Yes
No
Monitors an Evolution in the Fre-
quency Domain
Yes
No. Trend points are not evenly
spaced in time and therefore cannot
be used for an FFT.
Monitors the Evolution of a Meas-
urement Parameter over Several
Acquisitions
No. Track resets after every acquis-
ition.
Yes
Ensures No Lost Measurement Data
Yes. Maximum time period that can be
captured is limited by acquisition
memory and sampling rate.
No. Since data can be accumulated
over many acquisitions, and since the
instrument takes time to calculate
measurement values and to display
data before the trigger is re-armed,
data can be missed.
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