21/03/2025 5:19 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
I know ADCs convert analog signals to digital, but what exactly is signal sampling? How does the sampling rate affect accuracy, resolution, and signal integrity? What problems can occur if it's too high or too low?
1 Answer
0
30/04/2025 5:25 am
Signal sampling is the process of measuring an analog signal at regular intervals so it can be converted into digital form by an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter). The sampling rate is the number of samples taken per second, usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
A proper sampling rate is essential for accurately capturing the original signal. If the sampling rate is too low, the ADC may miss important changes in the signal, leading to aliasing, where the digital representation becomes distorted or misleading.
On the other hand, if the sampling rate is too high, it creates excessive data, which can strain memory, processing power, and storage without adding useful detail. Resolution, determined by the ADC’s bit depth, defines how precisely each sample represents the signal’s voltage level. However, even high-resolution data won’t help without a good sampling rate. As a general rule, sample at least twice the highest frequency in the analog signal (Nyquist rate) to ensure accuracy.
