Frequency counter architecture: Within a digital frequency counter, the timing and control block provides the overall coordination of gating, counting, range selection, and latching—in other words, it supplies the ________ of the instrument.

Introduction / Context:
A frequency counter typically includes input conditioning, a precision time base, counters, latches, and a display interface. These blocks must be orchestrated so that counts occur during a known gate interval, ranges are selected correctly, and results are latched for display. The coordination role belongs to the timing and control block.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Instrument components: time base, counters (often BCD), gate/enable logic, display registers.
• Timing and control asserts enables, resets, and latches at the correct times.
• Range selection adjusts the gate interval or prescaler to suit input frequency.

Concept / Approach:
The “brains” of the counter means the finite-state control that sequences operations: clear counters, open gate, close gate, latch results, update display, optionally average or autorange. Without this coordination, the remaining hardware would not produce stable, accurate readings.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
State diagrams in textbooks show these phases; synthesis results reveal a controller FSM generating enables and latches.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Letting counters run while latching, causing metastability; misaligned gate timing; ignoring time-base accuracy.

Final Answer:
brains