In this chapter we describe the motivation and requirements for converting analog signals to digital time series so that they can be analyzed using digital computers. The process of digitizing analog geophysical signals, for example continuous voltages from seismometers, must ensure that all information about signal amplitudes (the dynamic range) and range of frequencies (the frequency bandwidth) is retained. Important elements of analog to digital conversion include the number of samples to be taken (the sampling rate) and how to represent samples as numbers in a computer. The chapter also presents the standard statistics used to describe time series and introduces the logarithmic decibel scale as a convenient way to compare the relative magnitudes of signals.
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