Signals and sensors

Pulse frequency and counter-rollover estimator

Estimate pulse frequency, counts per reporting interval and counter rollover time from pulse weight and maximum process rate.

Calculate

Counter and meter
pulses/unit
units/hour
minutes

Worked example

Pulse frequency at the maximum rate

 Hz

Pulses per reporting interval
3,000 pulses
32-bit maximum counter value
4294967295 counts
Increments from zero before wrap
4294967296 increments
Maximum represented total
 units
Time to rollover at the maximum rate
 days

Use this prediction to plan a controlled source-meter reconciliation; it does not by itself diagnose every missed pulse.

Underlined figures are rounded. Select one to copy its full value.

Method and assumptions

Formula

pulse frequency = process rate × pulses per unit ÷ 3600; time to wrap from zero = 2^counter bits ÷ pulses per hour

The maximum represented unsigned value is 2^bits − 1, but a zero-start counter wraps after 2^bits increments. A zero process rate has no finite rollover time.

Limits of this result

  • The result does not prove that an electrical pulse level, width or gap is compatible with an input.
  • A matching predicted rate does not detect every bounce, wiring, power-loss or counter-reset fault.
  • Use the source meter totaliser and a controlled reconciliation period as the acceptance reference.

Technical sources

  1. ZPC-2X Pulse Counter datasheetEpiSensor · EPI-072-00
  2. Pulse meters: dry pulse versus active pulseEpiSensor · 2026-09-14

Put the value to work

Read the related engineering guidance, or carry this task into System Builder to identify the signal path and EpiSensor products.

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