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Aliasing and the Sampling Theorem

Explore the concepts of aliasing and the sampling theorem to understand how sampling rates affect signal representation. Learn why sampling at least twice the signal bandwidth is essential to prevent distortion and maintain signal integrity in digital signal processing.

We have learned that spectral aliases arise after sampling at integer multiples of the sample rate fsf_s. An example of this is shown in the figure below:

Spectral replicas arise after sampling
Spectral replicas arise after sampling

We’ll now look at the sampling theorem, which puts a fundamental limit on the sample rate for signal representation in discrete time.

Background

How should we choose the sample rate fsf_s?

  • We know that a closer time spacing, i.e., a smaller TsT_s, produces a better approximation of the signal in discrete time and pushes the spectral aliases further away due to the large fsf_s
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