8. Vectors and arrays

Large sets of numbers, such as the coefficients of an aerodynamic map, are written as lists in a single element instead of one element per value. The values are separated by semicolons and written with a decimal point. Whether an element holds a vector or an array, and what its entries stand for, is stated in its documentation. The permitted values are defined in doubleVectorBaseType and doubleArrayBaseType.

Vectors

A vector is a one-dimensional list of values:

<angleOfAttack>-2;0;2;4;6</angleOfAttack>

Arrays

An array has two or more dimensions, but it is written as one list like a vector: nothing in the list marks where a dimension ends. Each dimension is spanned by a vector given next to the array, and the documentation of the array names these vectors and their order. The values are listed with the last index running fastest, i.e. for a two-dimensional array row by row.

The increment map of a flap is an example. Its increments of the lift coefficient <dcl> form a two-dimensional array: the first dimension runs over the three points of the aerodynamic map, the second over the three control parameters of the flap (section 9).

<aeroPerformanceMap>
    <altitude>0;0;0</altitude>
    <machNumber>0.2;0.2;0.2</machNumber>
    <angleOfSideslip>0;0;0</angleOfSideslip>
    <angleOfAttack>0;4;8</angleOfAttack>
    ...
    <incrementMaps>
        <incrementMap uID="innerFlapIncrements">
            <controlDeviceUID>innerFlap</controlDeviceUID>
            <controlParameters>0;0.5;1</controlParameters>
            <dcl>0;0.21;0.38;0;0.2;0.36;0;0.18;0.33</dcl>
        </incrementMap>
    </incrementMaps>
</aeroPerformanceMap>

Arranged in rows and columns, the nine values read:

The increments are zero at control parameter 0, where the flap is retracted and the map without increments applies. The number of values is the product of the lengths of the spanning vectors, here 3 × 3 = 9.