Efficient calculation of fractal properties via the Higuchi method

Higuchi's method of determining fractal dimension is an important, well-used, research tool that, compared to many other methods, gives rapid, efficient, and robust estimations for the range of possible fractal dimensions. One major shortcoming in applying the method is the correct choice of tuning parameter (k _max); a poor choice can generate spurious results, and there is no agreed upon methodology to solve this issue. We analyze multiple instances of synthetic fractal signals to minimize an error metric. This allows us to offer a new and general method that allows determination, a priori, of the best value for the tuning parameter, for a particular length data set. We demonstrate its use on physical data, by calculating fractal dimensions for a shell model of the nonlinear dynamics of MHD turbulence, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 isolate Wuhan-Hu-1 from the family Coronaviridae.