Sampling is the process of converting a continuous signal into a discrete signal by measuring the signal's amplitude at regular intervals. This is done by taking a series of samples of the continuous signal at specific points in time. The resulting discrete signal can be stored and manipulated more easily than the original continuous signal.
Sampling rate is the number of samples taken per second when converting a continuous signal to a discrete signal. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is also known as the sampling frequency. The sampling rate is an important parameter because it determines the quality of the resulting discrete signal. A higher sampling rate means that more samples are taken per second, which results in a more accurate representation of the original continuous signal. However, a higher sampling rate also requires more storage space and processing power. A lower sampling rate means that fewer samples are taken per second, which results in a less accurate representation of the original continuous signal. However, a lower sampling rate requires less storage space and processing power. Therefore, the sampling rate must be chosen carefully based on the specific requirements of the application.