Quantization

A process in which a continuous signal is converted to a series of points at discrete levels. The quantized version of a ramp, a continuum of levels, would be a staircase, where only certain distinct levels are allowed.

A process in which the continuous range of values of an analog signal is sampled and divided into nonoverlapping (but not necessarily equal) subranges, and a discrete, unique value is assigned to each subrange. Note: An application of quantization is its use in pulse-code modulation. If the sampled signal value falls within a given subrange, the sample is assigned the corresponding discrete value for purposes of modulation and transmission.