Glossary term
Master Clock Frequency
Master clock frequency is the operating frequency of a device’s internal timing reference.
It describes how quickly the clock oscillates, usually in hertz or a multiple such as megahertz. The internal clock can operate at a multiple of an audio sampling frequency, so its stated frequency need not equal the audio sample rate.
Compare the role of the clock and the operating mode attached to the figure. Some designs use different references for different sample-rate families. A higher clock frequency does not by itself mean greater timing accuracy or lower jitter. This internal frequency also does not establish that the device accepts an external clock at the same rate; external input requirements are a separate specification.