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In signal processing, an ideal sampler is a theoretical operation whose input is a continuous signal and whose output is a sequence of instantaneous values of the signal at discrete moments of time, which is called a discrete signal.

Conversion of discrete signals back to continuous ones is done by interpolation algorithms. Interpolation is often modelled as a lowpass filter, whose input is a sequence of Dirac delta functions that are modulated (multiplied) by the sample values. When the time interval between adjacent samples is a constant, the sequence of delta functions is called a Dirac comb. And for convenience, the modulated Dirac comb is often referred to as the sampler output. Mathematically, it is equivalent to the product of the comb function with the original continuous signal.

[edit] See also

• Sampling (signal processing), Signal (electronics)
• Analog-to-digital converter vs. Digital-to-analog converter