Concept of Frequency in Continuous Time and Discrete Time Signals

Continuous Time Sinusoidal Signals

x a ( t )= A cos ( t + ) ,<t <

a is for analog signal
This signal is completely described by three parameters
A= Amplitude

= frequency (radian per sec)

= phase (radians)

Hz
Cycles per sec
=2 F , where F=Frequency
x a ( t )= A cos ( 2 F t+ ) ,<t <

Discrete Signals

x ( n )= A cos ( n+ ) , <t <

Where

is an integer value and called Sample Number.

This signal is completely described by three parameters

A= Amplitude

 = frequency (radian per sec)

= phase (radians)

Hz
Cycles per sec
=2 f , where f =Frequency
According to a discrete time sinusoidal signal is periodic only if its frequency

f 0 can be expressed as ratio of two integers (i.e.

To determine the fundamental period
frequency

f 0 is rational .

of a periodic sinusoid. We express its

f 0 as shown in the equation and cancel common factors so that k

and N are relatively prime. Then the fundamental period of sinusoid is equal to

Discrete Time Sinusoids, whose frequencies are separated by an integer

multiple of

are identical.