Posted by Dimitrios on January 16, 2001 at 23:20:31:
In Reply to: Re: differential equations? posted by Jason on January 16, 2001 at 16:31:21:
No, I am sure the computer is doing more
than just implementing the tables on a second by second
basis.
Tables, PADI, NAUI or other only use use two finite pieces of data in computing your NDL, max depth and bottom time.
Sure you have multilevel tables but those really don't compare with the data capacity of a computer.
Computers sample your depth every second of the dive and compute the rate that your tissue is absorbing gas or releasing gas continuously.
Human memory cannot compete with that capability.
As far as differential equation use in the computer, you are right, my computer does not solve a differential equation.
The algorithm we all use is the solution to the differential equation.
My computer just uses a more precise version of that algorithm than the version of the same algorithm used by tables because it can incorporate more data points.
My computer has the capacity to measure and use more data points and also compute them for 12 different tissue compartments. The most conservative computation of the twelve is displayed.