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time2num

Convert duration or datetime array into numeric vector with the specified time unit

Since R2020a

Description

time2num is a function used in code generated by Diagnostic Feature Designer.

[x,origUnit] = time2num(T,targetUnit) converts the time array T from its original data type and unit into a numeric vector x expressed in the unit of targetUnit. For instance, suppose that T is a datetime vector that contains timestamps for data measurements, and you want to convert T into a numeric vector x that expresses the time in units of hours. Use x = time2num(T,"hours").

If x is already a numeric vector, time2num sets x to T and ignores targetUnit.

Code that is generated by Diagnostic Feature Designer uses time2num when performing spectral processing and other computations.

Input Arguments

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Time array of sampling instants, expressed as a one-dimensional datetime array, a one-dimensional duration array, or a numeric vector.

Time unit corresponding to the converted numeric vector, specified as a string. targetUnit can be one of the following:

  • "seconds"

  • "minutes"

  • "hours"

  • "days"

  • "years"

  • ""

If you omit targetUnit or set targetUnit to "", then time2num derives the original time unit from T.

  • If T is a duration array, then time2num sets timeUnit to the unit of the duration array.

  • If T is a datetime array, then time2num determines the best value for timeUnit based on sample time. For instance, if the timestamps in T are 100 seconds apart, time2num sets timeUnit to "minutes".

  • If T is a numeric array, then time2num ignores targetUnit and sets x to T.

Example: tNumeric = time2num(Tacho.Time,"seconds")

Output Arguments

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Sampling instants, returned as a numeric vector. The starting point x(1) depends on the data type of T.

  • If T is a datetime array, then x(1) is 0.

  • If T is a duration array or a numeric vector, then x(1) is T(1), converted to the unit in targetUnit if targetUnit is specified.

  • If T is a numeric vector, then x(1) is T(1).

Original unit of T, returned as a string.

Version History

Introduced in R2020a