Quantization

Where sampling is the process of taking a sample at regular time intervals...

Quantization is the process of assigning a value (from a finite number of possibilities) to the amplitude of the signal at a time sample.

Computers use bits to store such data.

The higher the number of bits used to represent a value, the greater the number of possible values and the more precise the sampled amplitude will be.

With $n$ bits, $2^n$ possible values that can be represented.

For CD quality audio, the number of bits is $n=16$:

• each sample can have $2^{16} = 65,536$ possible values;
• the highest possible amplitude is $2^{15} = 32,768$, (since audio signals are positive and negative).

Does quantization introduce error?