4 ms·
> CPUs have historically not been good at keeping accurate time (their clocks intentionally fluctuate to avoid being FM transmitters, and for other reasons)...
by Stratoscope 6y ago
> CPUs have historically not been good at keeping accurate time (their clocks intentionally fluctuate to avoid being FM transmitters, and for other reasons)...
This is an interesting point about transmitting FM. I hadn't heard about that before and a quick search didn't enlighten me. I wonder if anyone knows where to read about it? (I understand about unintentional emissions, just not sure how a fluctuating clock frequency would mitigate them.)
- nayuki 6y agoSee "spread spectrum" for CPUs: https://www.anandtech.com/show/2500/20 https://www.anandtech.com/show/2500/20
- Stratoscope 6y agoJust what I was looking for, thanks!
- brucedawson 6y agoInteresting reference. I'm not sure I agree with their conclusion that "even the smallest variation in a clocking signal can be enough to create data transfer errors." Citation needed, as the kids say. Turning your computer into an FM broadcast based on an "as you can imagine" seems like irresponsible advice. That said, I'm not an EE so if somebody knows more, please educate me.