1
$\begingroup$

For a signal that is not corrupted with noise, how is the time-bandwidth product affecting the uncertainty or error introduced when extracting the fundamental frequency ? I mean, instead of choosing the fundamental frequency of the signal at $f_0$, you choose a harmonic $f_k$ at $k\cdot f_0$ and divide by $k$ to get $f_0$. How is the uncertainty related to $k$ for a given frequency resolution ?

$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ BT product? What the heck is that? $\endgroup$
    – jojeck
    Jun 19, 2014 at 22:39
  • $\begingroup$ BT product is the time-bandwidth product or bandwidth-time product. The former appellation is more common in literature. $\endgroup$
    – Gilles
    Jun 19, 2014 at 22:51
  • $\begingroup$ Oh, you mean $BT$ product - now we know it's math. $\endgroup$
    – jojeck
    Jun 19, 2014 at 22:52
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ i don't really get the question. the time-bandwidth product has more to say about how the uncertainty of the frequency measurement (doesn't matter what the frequency actually is, just the uncertainty of it) is related to how long, in time, the signal is. for $T$ seconds (or whatever time units) of data, you get the same uncertainty (in Hz if $T$ is in seconds) of the frequency estimate. doesn't matter if it's $f_0$ or $k \cdot f_0$. same width of uncertainty band of frequencies, same length of time. $\endgroup$ Jun 20, 2014 at 4:08
  • $\begingroup$ @robertbristow-johnson : it is indeed true that the uncertainty is that of the frequency measurement. R. B. Randall in his book mentions the standard error being inversely proportional to the time-bandwidth product. Doesn't this have an effect if you had to take relative bandwidths of the different harmonics $k\cdot f_0$ ? $\endgroup$
    – Gilles
    Jun 20, 2014 at 9:35

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

If you a-priori assume that $k \cdot f$ is a stationary harmonic of periodic waveform of frequency $f$, that implies that you don't have any separable time locality of that harmonic. But any tighter bandwidth of a frequency estimation might come from the a-priori assumptions regarding the stationarity of the harmonics, not from the data.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ can you please elaborate on the last sentence of your answer ? $\endgroup$
    – Gilles
    Jun 20, 2014 at 8:54

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.