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Glite Dictionary
Nyquist frequency

Nyquist frequency

7.8
The highest frequency that can be correctly recorded when a signal is sampled, equal to half the sampling rate
  • noun
  • /ˈnaɪkwɪst ˈfrɛkənsi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : frecuencia de Nyquist
  • The Nyquist frequency for a signal sampled at 200 Hz is 100 Hz.

Examples

  • And the Nyquist frequency in our problem here is π this is the Nyquist frequency.

  • Understanding the Nyquist frequency is essential for effective digital signal processing.

  • To avoid aliasing, you must sample the signal at least at its Nyquist frequency.

Surface Forms

Nyquist frequency singular
Nyquist frequencies plural

Morphology

Nyquist + frequency

‘Nyquist’ is an eponym/proper name and the phrase is a technical term in signal processing; knowing 'frequency' alone does not yield the specific meaning (half the sampling rate / highest representable frequency). The precise quantitative relation and technical usage are not predictable from the constituents, so a B1 learner who only knows the words would not be able to infer the MWE meaning without prior exposure or domain knowledge.

Etymology

Nyquist frequency is named after engineer Harry Nyquist, but an easy memory picture is to think of taking regular snapshots of a moving wave. If you take N snapshots per second, the fastest wave you can show needs two snapshots for one full move, so the Nyquist frequency is 'half the sampling rate' and that is why faster waves become 'mixed up' when you sample too slowly.