Understanding Discrete-Time Signals: A Beginner’s Guide In the world of digital systems, everything we hear, see, and interact with—be it music, images, or even biometric data—is ultimately represented using signals. Among these, discrete-time signals are foundational to digital signal processing (DSP), communications, and control systems. But what exactly is a discrete-time signal, and why is it important? Let’s dive in! What Is a Discrete-Time Signal? A discrete-time signal is a type of signal defined only at specific, distinct points in time. Unlike a continuous-time signal, which is defined for every value of time t t t , a discrete-time signal is only defined at integer time indices n n n . Think of it as snapshots taken at regular intervals. Mathematically, we represent a discrete-time signal as: x [ n ] , n ∈ Z x[n], \quad n \in \mathbb{Z} Here, x [ n ] x[n] is the signal value at time step n n n . Where Are Discrete-Time Signals Used? You’ll find discrete-time ...