frequency resolution of an acoustic signal

jrenfree@gmail.com · science forum beginner Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

I ran an experiment which involved sending a 2ms broad bandwidth signal
and recording the reflected signal, but I'm curious as to what the
frequency resolution is. The signal has a bandwidth of 18kHz, with a
center frequency of 18kHz and a start and stop frequency of 9kHz and
27kHz, respectively.

I'm a little confused as to what would be limiting the frequency
resolution though. I've heard of this time-bandwidth product, although
I'm not sure how to interpret it. Would it be this that is limiting
the resolution or is it the sampling frequency of the function
generator that I'm using?

Thanks,
-Josiah

TheGhost · science forum addict Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 85

jrenfree@gmail.com wrote in
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TheGhost · science forum addict Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 85

The Ghost <theghost@hotmail.com> wrote in
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jerry · science forum beginner Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

HI,
The frequency resolution is determined by the length of the signal
pulse you send out. If you have a 2msec pulse going out then you don't
have more than 2 msec of data to analyze. Look at doing an FFT or
whatever with this signal of duration 2 ms and you'll see that the
resolution is independent of the center, start and stop frequencies for
the most part. You'll get the most bandwidth out of a square pulse of
2 ms duration, but that shouldn't be your only consideration.

Regards,
Jerry
jrenfree@gmail.com wrote:

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