continuousoutput

Continuousoutput is a term used in engineering and computing to describe an output that is not discretized. It is generally used to denote signals or data that can take on a continuum of values over time. In many contexts, continuous output refers to either a continuous-time signal or a stream of data that is delivered without fixed sampling intervals.

In signal processing and control theory, a continuous output o(t) is defined for every time t, as opposed to a discrete output o[k] measured only at sampling instants. Such outputs arise from continuous-time models described by differential equations and require continuous sensing and actuation for faithful representation.

In hardware, continuous outputs are commonly realized by analog outputs produced by digital-to-analog converters. These allow voltages or currents to vary smoothly across a range, such as 0 to 10 volts or 4 to 20 milliamps. Discrete or digital outputs, by contrast, switch among fixed levels.

In software and data processing, continuous output can denote streaming or reactive outputs, where data are produced and delivered as an ongoing sequence rather than as discrete messages. Applications include audio playback, telemetry streams, and live data dashboards. Implementations typically rely on buffering, pacing, and scheduling to manage bandwidth and latency.

Key considerations when working with continuous output include fidelity to the underlying signal, the process of converting between continuous and discrete representations, bandwidth, latency, and noise. When a continuous signal is digitized, sampling and quantization introduce errors that must be managed.