Re: [LEAPSECS] Precision vs. resolution

From: Tom Van Baak <tvb_at_leapsecond.com>
Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 21:47:31 -0700

> Can someone lay out for me exactly what the difference is between
> clock precision and clock resolution? I've read the NTP FAQ and
> several other pages but am more confused than ever.
>
> (I do understand the distinction between precision and accuracy:
> 3.1429493 is \pi precise to 8 significant digits, but accurate
> only to 3.)

Key words for clocks and clock measurement include:
precision, accuracy, stability, resolution, and granularity.

Here's an informal stab at definitions for you:
  Accuracy is how close a clock is to an accepted standard.
  Precision relates to how consistent measurements are.
  Stability refers to how well a clock keeps time over time.
  Resolution is how precise one can measure.
  Granularity is the minimum [digital] increment of one reading to another.

/tvb
http://www.leapsecond.com/time-nuts.htm
Received on Tue May 30 2006 - 21:53:35 PDT

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