# Command: step_current_generator

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Name:

    step_current_generator - provides a piecewise constant DC input current

Examples:

      The current can be altered in the following way:
      /step_current_generator Create /sc Set
      sc << /amplitude_times [0.2 0.5] /amplitude_values [2.0 4.0] >> SetStatus

      The amplitude of the DC will be 0.0 pA in the time interval [0, 0.2),
      2.0 pA in the interval [0.2, 0.5) and 4.0 from then on.

Description:

      The dc_generator provides a piecewise constant DC input to the
      connected node(s).  The amplitude of the current is changed at the
      specified times. The unit of the current is pA.

Parameters:

      The following parameters can be set in the status dictionary:
      amplitude_times   list of doubles	- Times at which current changes in ms
      amplitude_values  list of doubles	- Amplitudes of step current current in
      pA
      allow_offgrid_times  bool	- Default false
      If false, times will be rounded to the nearest step if they are
      less than tic/2 from the step, otherwise NEST reports an error.
      If true,  times are rounded to the nearest step if within tic/2
      from the step, otherwise they are rounded up to the *end* of the
      step.

      Note:
      Times of amplitude changes must be strictly increasing after conversion
      to simulation time steps. The option allow_offgrid_times may be
      useful, e.g., if you are using randomized times for current changes
      which typically would not fall onto simulation time steps.

Sends:

    CurrentEvent

Author:

    Jochen Martin Eppler, Jens Kremkow

SeeAlso:

- ac_generator
- dc_generator
- step_current_generator
- Device
- StimulatingDevice

Source:

    /opt/conda/conda-bld/nest_1512418773968/work/nest-2.14.0/models/step_current_generator.h

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