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Nonuniform sampling

Nonuniform sampling is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Nonuniform sampling rather than just read about it. In short: Nonuniform sampling is a branch of sampling theory involving results related to the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem. Nonuniform sampling is based on Lagrange interpolation and the relationship between itself and the (uniform) sampling theorem.

Key takeaways

  • Nonuniform sampling belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Nonuniform sampling to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Nonuniform sampling from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Nonuniform sampling is a branch of sampling theory involving results related to the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem. Nonuniform sampling is based on Lagrange interpolation and the relationship between itself and the (uniform) sampling theorem. Nonuniform sampling is a generalisation of the Whittaker–Shannon–Kotelnikov (WSK) sampling theorem. The sampling theory of Shannon can be generalized for the case of nonuniform samples, that is, samples not taken equally spaced in time. The Shannon sampling theory for non-uniform sampling states that a band-limited signal can be perfectly reconstructed from its samples if the average sampling rate satisfies the Nyquist condition. Therefore, although uniformly spaced samples may result in easier reconstruction algorithms, it is not a necessary condition for perfect reconstruction. The general theory for non-baseband and nonuniform samples was developed in 1967 by Henry Landau. He proved that the average sampling rate (uniform or otherwise) must be twice the occupied bandwidth of the signal, assuming it is a priori known what portion of the spectrum was occupied. In the late 1990s, this work was partially extended to cover signals for which the amount of occupied bandwidth was known, but the actual occupied portion of the spectrum was unknown. In the 2000s, a complete theory was developed (see the section Beyond Nyquist below) using compressed sensing. In particular, the theory, using signal processing language, is described in this 2009 paper. They show, among other things, that if the frequency locations are unknown, then it is necessary to sample at least at twice the Nyquist criteria; in other words, you must pay at least a factor of 2 for not knowing the location of the spectrum. Note that minimum sampling requirements do not necessarily guarantee numerical stability.

Lagrange (polynomial) interpolation For a given function, it is possible to construct a polynomial of degree n which has the same value with the function at n + 1 points. Let the n + 1 points to be z 0 , z 1 , … , z n {\displaystyle z_{0},z_{1},\ldots ,z_{n}} , and the n + 1 values to be w 0 , w 1 , … , w n {\displaystyle w_{0},w_{1},\ldots ,w_{n}} . In this way, there exists a unique polynomial p n ( z ) {\displaystyle p_{n}(z)} such that

p n ( z i ) = w i , where i = 0 , 1 , … , n . {\displaystyle p_{n}(z_{i})=w_{i},{\text{ where }}i=0,1,\ldots ,n.}

Furthermore, it is possible to simplify the representation of p n ( z ) {\displaystyle p_{n}(z)} using the interpolating polynomials of Lagrange interpolation:

I k ( z ) = ( z − z 0 ) ( z − z 1 ) ⋯ ( z − z k − 1 ) ( z − z k + 1 ) ⋯ ( z − z n ) ( z k − z 0 ) ( z k − z 1 ) ⋯ ( z k − z k − 1 ) ( z k − z k + 1 ) ⋯ ( z k − z n ) {\displaystyle I_{k}(z)={\frac {(z-z_{0})(z-z_{1})\cdots (z-z_{k-1})(z-z_{k+1})\cdots (z-z_{n})}{(z_{k}-z_{0})(z_{k}-z_{1})\cdots (z_{k}-z_{k-1})(z_{k}-z_{k+1})\cdots (z_{k}-z_{n})}}}

From the above equation:

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Nonuniform sampling

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Nonuniform sampling claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Nonuniform sampling before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Nonuniform sampling ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Nonuniform sampling

In research
Nonuniform sampling appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Nonuniform sampling in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Nonuniform sampling is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Digital signal processing, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Nonuniform sampling outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Nonuniform sampling in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Nonuniform sampling means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Nonuniform sampling out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nonuniform sampling in simple terms?

Nonuniform sampling is a branch of sampling theory involving results related to the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem. Nonuniform sampling is based on Lagrange interpolation and the relationship between itself and the (uniform) sampling theorem.

Why does Nonuniform sampling matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Nonuniform sampling?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Nonuniform sampling.

Tags

  • Digital signal processing

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