Moving Average

Moving Average, also called Running Average or Rolling Average, is used to smooth data automatically. Each data point is converted to an average of the previous X values and the post Y values to create a new smoothed value for display on a graph.  Moving averages are used when the general trend is of greater interest then every spike and bump.

The Vista Data Vision software allows you to easily create custom moving averages, such as day moving average or hour moving average.

Moving Average Chart

Three graphs showing variables plotted with the Moving Average option. The first graph shows Air and Sun Temperature unmodified. The second graph shows the same Air and Sun Temperature variables using Moving Average configuration +/-2 ( each value a average of 5 values, the current value and the prevoius 2 values and the post 2 values). The third graph shows again the same Air Temperature and Sun Temperature variables using Moving Average configuration +/-10 ( each value a average of 21 values, the current value and the prevoius 10 values and the post 10 values).

Custom Moving Average calculations

Users can create their own custom Moving Average calculation.
For example with the data sequence 1;5;3;4;8;2;9;11;3;5;8 (11 data points).

• If the configuration is Pre=2 and Post=2 then this sequence will be: 4.2;4.4;5.2;6.8;6.6;6;7.2 where each value is a average of 5 values, e.g. the current value, the previous 2 values and the next 2 values.

• If the configuration is Pre=3 and Post=0 then this sequence will be: 3.25;5;4.25;5.75;7.5;6.25;7;6.75 where each value is a average of 4 values, e.g. the current value and the previous 3 values.

   

Selecting a Moving Average for a Variable

It is very simple to add a Moving Average calculation to any variable. When creating a graph you simply select for each variable if it should be plotted using a Rolling Average calculation