Difference Between Analog and Digital Signal – Advantage of Digital Over Analog Signal Processing
When we talk about Analog and Digital, they are the two separate signal forms. The signal is used to pass on information beginning with one device then onto the following. The Analog signal is a relentless wave that keeps on getting changed over a timespan. Moreover, a Digital signal is individual in nature.
The critical difference among Analog and the Digital signal is that the Analog signal is addressed by the sine waves, however, the Digital signal is addressed by square waves. Now, allow us to get acquainted with some more differentiation among Analog and the Digital signal with the help of the connection diagram exhibited as pursues.
Content: Analog Vs Digital Signal
- Comparison Chart
- Definition
- Key Differences
- Conclusion
Comparison Chart
| BASIS FOR COMPARISON | ANALOG SIGNAL | DIGITAL SIGNAL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | An analog signal is basically a constant wave that gets changed over a timespan. | A digital signal is an individual wave which passes on the data in binary form. |
| Representation | The representation of an analog signal is carried via a sine wave. | The representation of a digital signal is carried via square waves. |
| Description | An analog signal can be described by the amplitude, phase, and period or frequency. | A digital signal can be described by bit intervals and bit rate. |
| Range | Analog signal doesn’t have a fixed range. | Digital signal comes with a finite number i.e. 0 and 1. |
| Distortion | An analog signal is more likely to distort. | A digital signal is less likely to distort. |
| Transmit | The data transmission by an analog signal is done in the form of a wave. | The data transmission by a digital signal is done in the binary form i.e. 0 and 1. |
| Example | The best example of an analog signal is the human voice. | Signals utilized for transmitting in a personal computer are digital signals. |
The Analog Signal – Definition
Analog signal is a sort of ceaseless waveform that changes after some time. An analog signal is additionally grouped into simple and composite signals. A normal analog signal is basically a sine wave that can’t be disintegrated further. Then again, a composite Analog signal can be additionally disintegrated into numerous sine waves. An analog signal is depicted utilizing frequency, phase sufficiency, period, and amplitude.
Amplitude denotes the most extreme height of the sign. Frequency denotes the rate at which the sign is evolving. Moreover, the Phase denotes the situation of the wave as for time zero. When it comes to an analog signal, it is not really immune to noise and this is the reason, however, it has to go through distortion and the transmission quality gets decreased. Other than that, in an analog signal, the range of value is not really fixed.
The Digital Signal – Definition
Digital signals also pass on the data/information just like an analog signal but the Digital signals somehow vary slightly from an analog signal. When we talk about a Digital signal, it is noncontinuous and an individual time signal.
Digital signal passes on the data or information in the binary form which means that a digital signal represents the data or information in the form of bits. Moreover, the Digital signal can be additionally deteriorated into basic sine waves that are called harmonics. Every simple wave has an alternate amplitude, phase, and frequency.
Digital signal is portrayed with a bit interval and bit rate. Bit interval portrays the time required for sending one bit. Then again, the bit rate portrays the frequency of the bit interval. Other than the above, a digital signal is largely immune to the noise and this is the reason it hardly goes through any type of distortion.
When it comes to the transmission, the Digital signals are, moreover, quite easy in order to transmit and they are also more reliable as compared to the analog signals. Apart from that, a Digital signal comes with a finite range of values which typically includes 0s and 1s.
What are the Key Differences between Analog and Digital Signals?
- An analog signal speaks to a persistent wave that continues getting changed over a timeframe. Whereas, on the other side, a digital signal speaks to a noncontinuous wave that conveys data in a parallel arrangement and has discrete qualities.
- An analog signal is constantly spoken to by the persistent sine wave while a digital signal is basically denoted by the square waves.
- While we talk about an analog signal, we talk of the wave’s behavior with respect to period or frequency, amplitude, and phase of the wave. Whereas on the other side, while we speak of individual signals, we talk of the wave’s behavior with respect to bit interval and bit rate.
- When we talk of the range of an analog signal, it is not really fixed. Whereas, on the other hand, when we talk of the range of the digital signal, it is finite and it can be 0 or 1.
- Speaking of distortion, an analog signal is largely prone to it while responding to noise as compared to a digital signal which has immunity for the response to noise and hence, it hardly goes through any distortion.
- Speaking of transmission, an analog signal transmits information or data in the waveform whereas, when it comes to a digital signal, it transmits the information or data in the binary form that is mostly in the form of bits.
- In an analog signal, the best example we can talk of is a human voice as compared to the best example of a digital signal, which is the transmission of information or data in a computer.
Conclusion:
Nowadays, a Digital signal is taking the place of the analog signal, but when we talk about an analog signal still stays the best option for audio transmission.
What is the Advantage of Digital Over Analog Signal Processing?
- When it comes to the digital signals, the very first advantage of these over the analog signals is that the digital signal’s precise signal level is not vital. Now, this speaks of the immunity of the digital signals which are quite immune to the blemishes of real electronic systems that are keen to damage the analog signals. And hence, as a result, as compared to the analog LP’s, digital CD’s are highly robust.
- The use of codes in the transmission of data or information is quite normal. These codes could either be used as a means of storing the data or information secret or they can be used as a means of damaging the information into bits which could be managed by the technology that is used in order to transmit the code, for example, the letters as well as the numbers could be sent by a Morse code are then coded into dots and dashes.
- Digital signals are able to convey data or information with higher noise immunity. Now, this is because, in case of digital signals, every information or data component (byte, etc) is stimulated by the presence or/and absence of a data bit (0 or one). Analog signals, on the other hand, can vary constantly and their value is highly impacted by all levels of noise.
- One can process the Digital signals by the use of digital circuit components. These components are low in cost and can be easily generated in various components on one chip. And once again, when it comes to the noise propagation via demodulation system, it is minimized with the use of digital means.
- Digital signals could not be damaged or corrupted with noise etc. You are transferring a series of numbers which are representing the signal of interest which include audio, video, etc.
- Digital signals basically utilize lesser bandwidth. Moreover, this could be just any other method of saying that you can cram more data or information i.e. audio, video, etc. into the exact same space.
- Digital signals could be encrypted for the sake of the intended receiver, so it can decode it, for example, pay per view video, secure telephone, and more.
- Enabling of the signal transmission over longer distances.
- Transmitting happens at a rate higher along with a broadband width which is wider.
- It provides more security.
- Also, it is quite easier to translate any human audio as well as video signals along with many other messages into machine language.
- You will find a very minimal electromagnetic interference when it comes to the digital technology.
- Moreover, it also enables the transmission of data simultaneously in multiple directions.
In the end, we hope the above-presented key differentiation among Analog and Digital signals along with the advantage of Digital over Analog signal processing, has helped you understand both of these signal forms in a better manner. Also, please free feel to leave any of your queries and we will definitely get back to them in the upcoming times.
