What process is used to divide an analog signal into discrete parts for digitization?

The process used to divide an analog signal into discrete parts for digitization is known as sampling. Sampling involves taking measurements of the analog signal's amplitude at regular intervals, effectively converting a continuous signal into a series of discrete values. This is a fundamental step in the digitization process, enabling the representation of an analog signal in a digital format that can be processed by digital systems.

When an analog signal is sampled, each measurement retains the important characteristics of the signal at that particular moment in time, allowing for its reconstruction later. The specifications of sampling, such as the sampling rate, determine how accurately the digital representation can capture the nuances of the original signal.

While quantization is related to the digital conversion process—where the discrete amplitude measurements taken during sampling are mapped to specific values—sampling itself is the initial step that forms the basis for this conversion.