Being continuous, or having a continuous range of values.

(ADC) An analog to digital converter is used to bridge analog and digital circuitry. Medical imaging systems use an analog to digital converter to sample and quantize the image data.

(DAC) Part of the interface that converts digital numbers from the computer into analog (ordinary) voltages or currents.

Process of conversion of continuous (analog) signals, such as the detected radiation (voltage), into numbers. This is carried out with an analog to digital converter. There are two kinds of discretization involved: the voltage is only measured (sampled) at particular discrete times and only voltages within a particular range and separated by a particular minimum amount can be distinguished. Voltages beyond this range are said to exceed the dynamic range of the digitizer.

Conversion of the analog signal to a series of digital values by measurement at a set of particular times; this utilizes the analog to digital converter. If the rate of sampling is less than twice the highest frequency in the signal, aliasing will occur. The duration of sampling determines how small a difference of frequencies can be separated.

See also Algorithm, Trigonometric Functions, Digitization, Exponential Functions, Imaginary Number, Logarithms, Point Spread Function.