where 0 < 7 < Tand k = 0,1,2,.... Equation (3-7) implies that the circuit holds the amplitude of the sample from one sampling instant to the next. Such a data-hold is called a zero-order hold, or clamper, or staircase generator. The output of the zero-order hoid is a Staircasé function. Ii this Book, unless Otherwise stated, we assume that the hold circuit is of zero order. It will be seen later that the transfer function G,, of the zero-order hold may be given by ts G s Zero-Order Hold. Figure 3-3 shows a sampler and a zero-order hold. The input signal x(¢) is sampled at discrete instants and the sampled signal is passed through the zero-order hold. The zero-order hold circuit smoothes the sampled signal to produce the signal /i(r), which is constant from the last sampled value until the next sample is available. That is, ‘We shall obtain a mathematical model of the combination of a real sampler and zero-order circuit, as shown in Figure 3~4(a). Utilizing the fact that the integral of impulse function is a constant, we may assume th o-order hold is an “ategrator, and the input to the zero-order hold circui of impulses. Then “amath -al model for the real sampler and zero- jay be constructed as shown in Figure 3-4(b), where Gio(s) is the transfer function of the zero-order {hold and x*(°) is the impulse sampled signal of x(") Figure 3-4 (a) A real sampler and sampler and transfer function Gan(s) Consider the sampler and zero-order hold shown in Figure 3-4(a). Assume that the signal x(*) iszero fort < 0. Then the output h,(t) is related to x(t) as follows: Next, consider the mathematical model shown in Figure 3~4(b). The output of this model must be the same as that of the real zero-order hold, or By comparing Equations (3-12) and (3-13), we see that the transfer function of the zero-order hold may be given by Gils) Note that, mathematically, the system shown in Figure 3~4(a) is equivalent to the system shown in Figure 3-4(b) from the viewpoint of the input-output relationship. ‘That is, a real sampler and zero-order hold can be replaced by a mathematically equivalent continuous-time system that consists of an impulse sampler and a transfer function (1 — e~T)/s. The two sampling processes will be distinguished (as they are in Figure 3-4) by the manner in which the sampling switches are drawn.