Analog and Digital
Signals
Dr Ajay Kumar
introduction
A signal is an electromagnetic or electrical current that carries data from
one system or network to another.
In electronics, a signal is often a time-varying voltage that is also an
electromagnetic wave carrying information, though it can take on other
forms, such as current.
There are two main types of signals used in electronics:
Analog and
Digital signals.
Analog Signal
An Analog signal is time-varying and generally bound to a range (e.g.
+12V to -12V), but there is an infinite number of values within that
continuous range.
An Analog signal uses a given property of the medium to convey the
signal’s information, such as electricity moving through a wire.
In an electrical signal, the voltage, current, or frequency of the signal
may be varied to represent the information.
Analog signals are often calculated responses to changes in light, sound,
temperature, position, pressure, or other physical phenomena.
Analog Signal
When plotted on a voltage vs. time graph, an Analog signal should
produce a smooth and continuous curve. There should not be any
discrete value changes
Figure: Analog Signal
Digital Signal
A digital signal is a signal that represents data as a sequence of discrete values. A
digital signal can only take on one value from a finite set of possible values at a given
time. With digital signals, the physical quantity representing the information can be
many things:
• Variable electric current or voltage
• Phase or polarization of an electromagnetic field
• Acoustic pressure
• The magnetization of a magnetic storage media
Digital signals are used in all digital electronics, including computing equipment and
data transmission devices.
Digital Signal
When plotted on a voltage vs. time graph, digital signals are one of
two values, and are usually between 0V and VCC (usually 1.8V, 3.3V,
or 5V)
Figure: Digital Signal
Analog Circuit
Most of the fundamental electronic components — resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes,
transistors, and operational amplifiers (op amps) — are all inherently Analog components.
Circuits built with a combination of these components are Analog circuits
In general, Analog circuits are more difficult to design than digital circuits that accomplish the
same task.
Analog circuits are usually more susceptible to noise, with “noise” being any small, undesired
variations in voltage.
Analog signals are commonly used in communication systems that convey voice, data, image,
signal, or video information using a continuous signal
Analog transmission may be achieved via many methods:
1.Through a twisted pair or coaxial cable
2.Through an optical fibre cable
Analog Circuit
Digital Circuit
Digital circuits implement components such as logic gates or more complex digital ICs. Such
ICs are represented by rectangles with pins extending from them.
Digital circuits commonly use a binary scheme. Although data values are represented by just
two states (0s and 1s), larger values can be represented by groups of binary bits. This allows
large streams of data to be processed easily.
Unlike analog circuits, most useful digital circuits are synchronous, meaning there is a
reference clock to coordinate the operation of the circuit blocks, so they operate in a
predictable manner.
Digital signals are commonly used in communication systems where digital transmission can
transfer data over point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission channels, such as copper
wires, optical fibers, wireless communication media, storage media, or computer buses.
In general, digital circuits are easier to design, but they often cost more than analog circuits
Digital Circuit
Digital Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages to using digital signals, including digital signal processing (DSP) and
communication systems, include the following:
• Digital signals can convey information with less noise, distortion, and interference.
• Digital circuits can be reproduced easily in mass quantities at comparatively low
costs.
• Digital signal processing is more flexible because DSP operations can be altered
using digitally programmable systems.
• Digital signal processing is more secure because digital information can be easily
encrypted and compressed.
• Digital systems are more accurate, and the probability of error occurrence can be
reduced by employing error detection and correction codes.
• Digital signals can be easily stored on any magnetic media or optical media using
Digital Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages
Disadvantages to using digital signals, including digital signal
processing (DSP) and communication systems, include the following:
A higher bandwidth is required for digital communication when
compared to analog transmission of the same information.
DSP processes the signal at high speeds, and comprises more top
internal hardware resources. This results in higher power dissipation
compared to analog signal processing, which includes passive
components that consume less energy.
Digital systems and processing are typically more complex.
Analog Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages to using analog signals, including analog signal processing
(ASP) and communication systems, include the following:
Analog signals are easier to process.
Analog signals best suited for audio and video transmission.
Analog signals are much higher density, and can present more
refined information.
Analog signals use less bandwidth than digital signals.
Analog signals provide a more accurate representation of changes in
physical phenomena, such as sound, light, temperature, position, or
pressure.
Analog Signals: Advantages and Disadvantages
Disadvantages to using analog signals, including analog signal
processing (ASP) and communication systems, include the following:
Data transmission at long distances may result in undesirable signal
disturbances.
Analog signals are prone to generation loss.
Analog signals are subject to noise and distortion, as opposed to
digital signals which have much higher immunity.
Analog signals are generally lower quality signals than digital
signals.
