Terminology for ramp-up, ramp-down etc

[cybermaus]

I need to write some specs for a small drive circuit, and I am trying to find some terminology that are clear to everyone, or failing that, can be explained and then used consistently.


Basically, there are two types of power level variations:

Firstly, we have the power rise and fall that are technical limitations.
In the sense that: we should never instantly go from low or no power to full power as it would put stress on the power boards that could even break them or the equipment behind them.
Similarly, we should not suddenly stop power, as it may also cause stress as well as cause some electing ringing in the circuits.

Next, we have the power rise and fall that is part of the usage envelope. Of the user desired "recipe" so to speak.
In other words, user would like to slowly increase power from 20% to 100% over a timespan of 30 minutes, stay at 100% for 20 minutes, and then decrease power again over 10 minutes.
Similar to for example temperature control in an PCB oven.


The terminology would end up in small 2x16 LCD menu's so ideally would be short, as well as easily distinguishable and non-confuseable.


I was considering:

Rise and Fall for the technical limitations (analogue to signal rise and fall times in a scope)
Ramp-up, level, and Ramp-down for the envelope phases

The latter does seem to convey the correct meaning (to my non-native ears) but I dislike the similarity of the Ramp part, as well as I dislike the hyphen.
Any other suggestions?

I have been checking synonym databases, but maybe there is already an established terminology for this sort of thing:

incline/decline (for the envelope)
gather/dwindle (do not like it)
wax/wane (probably too obscure. something with the moon, but which is which again)

[themadhippy]

Temp going up
Temp going down

[madires]

power ramp-up period, full power period, power ramp-down period
And add an x-y diagram showing the different periods and power levels.

[NiHaoMike]

Ramp rate, specify what maximum would be allowed for ramp up and ramp down. If possible, program the controller so that if a command is given that exceeds the limit, it will ramp at the limit.