What does a clean tick analysis show? - briefly
A clean tick analysis demonstrates that the timing signal exhibits no jitter, drift, or other deviations, confirming precise and reliable synchronization.
What does a clean tick analysis show? - in detail
A clean tick analysis provides a precise measurement of the time interval between successive clock ticks under controlled conditions. The data reveal the following key aspects:
- Baseline latency: the minimum time required for a single tick to be generated and processed, free from external interference.
- Jitter distribution: the statistical spread of variations around the baseline, indicating the stability of the timing source.
- System overhead: the contribution of operating‑system scheduling, interrupt handling, and driver latency to the overall tick period.
- Clock drift: the long‑term deviation of the tick frequency from its nominal value, useful for calibrating time‑keeping mechanisms.
- Noise sources: identification of hardware or software components that introduce random fluctuations into the tick stream.
By isolating these parameters, the analysis confirms whether the timing subsystem meets the specifications required for real‑time applications, high‑frequency trading platforms, or precise instrumentation. It also supplies quantitative benchmarks that can be compared against design targets or regulatory limits.