Decimation
Decimation is a signal processing technique that reduces the sampling rate of a discrete-time signal by an integer factor, typically by discarding samples. It is commonly used in digital signal processing (DSP) to lower data rates, reduce computational load, or match system requirements. The process often involves anti-aliasing filtering before downsampling to prevent aliasing artifacts.
Developers should learn decimation when working with audio, image, or sensor data processing to efficiently handle high-frequency signals or large datasets. It is essential in applications like audio compression, digital communications, and real-time signal analysis where reducing sample rates improves performance without significant loss of information. Understanding decimation helps optimize resource usage in embedded systems and DSP pipelines.