In this article we are going to study Digital signal and Analog signal along with example of digital and analog signal also the difference between digital and analog signal. Electronic signals are of two types i.e. Digital signal and Analog signal.
Contents
Analog signal Definition
Analog signal is a continuous time varying current or voltage signal as shown in figure below. The maximum value of current voltage called amplitude of the signal.
The electronic circuit used to process the analog signal is known as analog circuit.
Analog signal examples
- Land line phone.
- Thermometer.
- Electric fan.
- Volume knob on a radio.
- Analog watches.
Definition of Digital signal
Digital signal is a wave form having only two discrete values or levels of current or voltage represented as 0 (low current or low voltage) and 1 (high current or high voltage) as shown in figure below.
The electronic circuit used to process the digital signal is known as digital circuit.
Digital signal examples
- Smartwatch
- Cell phone
- Keyboard
- Tablet
- CD’s.
- DVD’s.
- Computer.
A digital circuit works only in two states i.e. it works in a binary manner.
In digital circuits, diodes, BJTs, FETs and ICs are used as switches to change from one voltage level to another level. Since a switch is either open or closed, therefore, the output of a digital circuit is either in ON or in OFF state.
Digital circuits are used in digital computers, in digital metres, in data processing, in communication system, in manufacturing controls etc.
Difference between Digital and Analog signal
Now we will study some major Difference between Digital signal and Analog signal or digital signal vs analog signal.
| Analog Signals | Digital Signals |
| Analog signal is Continuous in nature. | Digital signal is Discrete in nature. |
| The Analog signal is represented by sine waves. | The Digital signal is represented by square waves. |
| Analog signal uses the continuous range of values to represent the information. | Digital signal has discrete or discontinuous values to represent the information. |
| Some example of analog signal are ; Human voice in air, analog electronic devices. | These are the some example of digital signal; Computers, CDs, DVDs, and other digital electronic devices. |
| Data travel in the form of wave signal. | Data travel in the form of binary bit. |
| The analog signal has low bandwidth. | The digital signal has high bandwidth. |
| The Analog signal never offer any fixed range. | The Digital signal has a finite number, i.e., 0 and 1. |
There are the some advantages and disadvantages of Digital signal and Analog signal those are very important to know.
Advantages of Analog Signals
Now we will study the some pros or benefits of Analog Signals.
- Easier in data processing.
- Suitable for audio and video transmission.
- Analog circuit has a low cost and are portable.
- No need to buy a new graphics board.
- The analog signal uses less bandwidth than digital sounds.
- Signal provide more accurate representation of a sound.
- Analog signal is the natural form of a sound.
Advantages of Digital Signals
These are the some pros or uses of Digital Signals.
- Digital data can be easily compressed. in small memory.
- Any information in the digital form can be encrypted easily to get information.
- Equipment that uses digital signals are cost effective.
- Digital signal makes running instruments error free.
- A lot of editing tools are available.
- Easy to transmit the data over one device to another.
Disadvantages of Analog Signals
These are the some cons or drawbacks or demerit of Analog Signals:
- Lower quality signal than as compare to digital signal.
- The Analog wires are very costly and not easily portable.
- It is very expensive to record analog sound on tape.
- Some limitations in editing.
- It is very hard to synchronize analog sound.
- Quality is easily lost.
- Data in analog form can become corrupted easily.
Disadvantages of Digital Signals
- Sampling of digital circuit may cause heavy loss of information.
- Processor speed is limited to some extent.
- Digital signal requires greater bandwidth.
- Processing of digital signal is more complex.
Digital signal example.
Smartwatch
Cell phone
Keyboard
Tablet
CD’s.
DVD’s.
Computer.
Analog signal example
Land line phone.
Thermometer.
Electric fan.
Volume knob on a radio.
Analog watches.