Finite signal duration sets a floor on achievable frequency resolution in a sonogram.

Evidence

The shortest window is 6 ms long, corresponding to a frequency uncertainty of about 166 Hz. The longest is ten times as along, 60 ms, corresponding to a frequency uncertainty of 17 Hz. A third window is intermediate between these two. Note the corresponding time and frequency uncertainties on the plots. The signal is of duration approximately 16 ms, corresponding to an intrinsic frequency uncertainty of 63 Hz. Even if a much longer widow is used (left), the frequency uncertainty in the sonogram does not go below 63 Hz. It can grow larger than that if a shorter window is used, as at the right. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 449

Categorization

• CANDY: Concrete numbers (6ms→166Hz, 60ms→17Hz, 16ms→63Hz) make the uncertainty tradeoff tangible and quotable.