TIME SIGNAL

An accurate signal marking a specified time or time interval. It is used primarily for determining errors of timepieces; usually sent from an observatory by radio. As defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a radiocommunication service for the transmission of time signals of stated high precision, intended for general reception.

time_signal time high signal service union transmission

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TWA

Time Weighted Average

time_weighted_average twa limit time

DEAD TIME

The time interval between a change in the input signal to a process control system and the response to the signal.
The time interval, after a response to one signal or event, during which a system is unable to respond to another. Also known as insensitive time.

control input_signal process signal dead_time system interval time input control_system

POINCARE SURFACE OF SECTION

A method of displaying the character of a particular trajectory without examining its complete time development, in which the trajectory is sampled periodically, and the rate of change of a quantity under study is plotted against the value of that quantity at the beginning of each period. Also known as surface of section.

poincare__surface_of_section surface study rate time

PLANNING HORIZON

In a materials-requirements planning system, the time from the present to some future date for which plans are being generated for acquisition of materials.

planning_horizon acquisition time

PHASE PORTRAIT

A graph showing the time derivative of a system's position (or some other quantity characterizing the system) as a function of position for various values of initial conditions.

phase_portrait time position

PHASE PLANE ANALYSIS

A method of analyzing systems in which one plots the time derivative of the system's position (or some other quantity characterizing the system) as a function of position for various values of initial conditions.

phase_plane_analysis time position

PERS SUNSHINE RECORDER

A type of sunshine recorder in which the time scale is supplied by the motion of the sun.

pers_sunshine_recorder recorder time_scale motion time scale

PERMANENT BENCHMARK

A readily identifiable, relatively permanent, recoverable benchmark that is intended to maintain its elevation without change over a long period of time with reference to an adopted datum, and is located where disturbing influences are believed to be negligible.

permanent_benchmark period benchmark elevation time

PEEL-OFF TIME

In seismic prospecting, the time correction applied to observed data to adjust them to a depressed reference datum.

peel-off_time data correction time

PAYOUT TIME

A measurement of profitability or liquidity of an investment, being the time required to recover the original investment in depreciable facilities from profit and depreciation; usually, but not always, calculated after income taxes.

payout_time measurement time

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