neazoi
Advanced Member level 6
Hello,
I wonder how frequency measurements accuracy is actually supposed to be achieved on these microcontrollers or general purpose frequency counters, compared to a modern spectrum analyzer frequency measuring.
I mainly consider the close-in signal frequency measurement.
What I mean is this:
A modern spectrum analyzer, tuned in an unmodulated carrier with maximum resolution, can measure the frequency of the peak of the signal as well as the frequency at each specific point of the signal trace (using markers), where the signal does not peak (left and right signal sides).
But a microcontroller or other digital counter measures only the frequency of the peak of the signal (am I right?) and it cannot measure it's sides.
So how does the SA perform frequency measurement at any point of the signal trace, whereas the digital counter does not?
I wonder how frequency measurements accuracy is actually supposed to be achieved on these microcontrollers or general purpose frequency counters, compared to a modern spectrum analyzer frequency measuring.
I mainly consider the close-in signal frequency measurement.
What I mean is this:
A modern spectrum analyzer, tuned in an unmodulated carrier with maximum resolution, can measure the frequency of the peak of the signal as well as the frequency at each specific point of the signal trace (using markers), where the signal does not peak (left and right signal sides).
But a microcontroller or other digital counter measures only the frequency of the peak of the signal (am I right?) and it cannot measure it's sides.
So how does the SA perform frequency measurement at any point of the signal trace, whereas the digital counter does not?