Time series graph

The Time series graph displays a line plot of values from one or more time series against time. These variables are typically created using operators that produce a time-based series of values, but they can also be created as raw time series variables (derived directly from data).

A Line graph plots the position of a line (for example, bottom or altitude) over time, whereas a time series graph plots a value (for example, Sv mean or heading) over time.

Time series graphs automatically adapt their display to the interpolation mode of each series:

Linear series appear as standard lines.
Circular series (e.g., heading, pitch, and roll) wrap smoothly. Heading retains cardinal N/E/S/W axis labels and may use 90° increments; other circular series use data-driven minimum and maximum scaling.
Stepped series appear as stepped lines, holding the previous measurement’s value until the next measurement.

Depth-based time series automatically flip the vertical axis so depth increases downward, consistent with echogram displays.

When multiple time series are displayed, each series is rendered according to its interpolation mode. The Y-axis is shared across all displayed series and may reflect common units and labels where applicable. When series differ, a generic or user-defined axis label may be used.

Use the Graph Properties dialog box to set custom labels, axis limits, and grid display options.

Any time series can be displayed either on a time series graph or in a table.

To display a time series graph

From a time series variable:

In the Dataflow window, right-click the time series variable (virtual or raw).
Click Graph on the shortcut menu.

- OR -

Double-click the time series variable in the Dataflow window.

Use the Graph Properties dialog box to specify Custom labels and Fixed limits.

Notes:

Each time series displayed on the graph is shown using a distinct color.
Some combinations of time series (e.g., mixing circular and non-circular data) may not be supported.
The vertical axis appears on the right-hand side to align with echograms in stacked layouts, improving visual synchronization of time-based data. Matching the echogram legend width with the graph’s axis margin provides optimal alignment.
Time series graphs load measurement data asynchronously in the background, reducing interface freezes during calculation and recalculation of graph results.
Axis labels display up to five decimal places, improving readability when zooming into small-magnitude ranges. Displayed precision remains consistent with the underlying data-type precision.
The minimum and maximum y-axis fields accept values with up to 8 decimal places, allowing very small-magnitude series (e.g., ABC) to be graphed accurately.
When the series represents ABC (area backscattering coefficient), axis tick labels are automatically shown in scientific notation with three decimal places (e.g., 1.234E-6). Other series use standard decimal formatting.
The graph footer (range display) and tooltip values match the precision of the time series type. This provides consistency with Table views and exports. If a series has no defined precision, values default to six decimal places.
The output of a Code - Time series operator can be displayed on a time series graph. Measurement times are taken from the pings of acoustic Operand 1. Values are returned by the Python® script, which may also use estimated, time-aligned values from additional time series operands.
For time series collections, see Multiple time series graph.

Time series graph

To display a time series graph

See also