Analog vs Digital: What's the
Difference?
What is Signal?
A signal is an electromagnetic or electrical current that is used for carrying
data from one system or network to another. The signal is a function that
conveys information about a phenomenon.
In electronics and telecommunications, it refers to any time-varying voltage
that is an electromagnetic wave which carries information. A signal can also
be defined as an observable change in quality such as quantity
What is an Analog Signal?
Analog Signal
Analog signal is a continuous signal in which one time-varying quantity
represents another time-based variable. These kind of signals works with
physical values and natural phenomena such as earthquake, frequency,
volcano, speed of wind, weight, lighting, etc.
What is a Digital Signal?
Digital Signal
A digital signal is a signal that is used to represent data as a sequence of
separate values at any point in time. It can only take on one of a fixed number
of values. This type of signal represents a real number within a constant range
of values.
KEY DIFFERENCES:
An analog signal is a continuous signal whereas Digital signals are time
separated signals.
Analog signal is denoted by sine waves while It is denoted by square
waves
Analog signal uses a continuous range of values that help you to
represent information on the other hand digital signal uses discrete 0
and 1 to represent information.
The analog signal bandwidth is low while the bandwidth of the digital
signal is high.
Analog instruments give considerable observational errors whereas
Digital instruments never cause any kind of observational errors.
Analog hardware never offers flexible implementation, but Digital
hardware offers flexibility in implementation.
Analog signals are suited for audio and video transmission while Digital
signals are suited for Computing and digital electronics.
Characteristics OF Analog Signal
Here, are essential characteristics of Analog Signal
These type of electronic signals are time-varying
Minimum and maximum values which is either positive or negative.
It can be either periodic or non-periodic.
Analog Signal works on continuous data.
The accuracy of the analog signal is not high when compared to the
digital signal.
It helps you to measure natural or physical values.
Analog signal output form is like Curve, Line, or Graph, so it may not be
meaningful to all.
Characteristics of Digital Signals
Here, are essential characteristics of Digital signals
Digital signal are continuous signals
This type of electronic l signals can be processed and transmitted better
compared to analog signal.
Digital signals are versatile, so it is widely used.
The accuracy of the digital signal is better than that of the analog signal.
Difference Between Analog and Digital Signal
Here are important differences between Analog and Digital Signal:
Analog Digital
An analog signal is a continuous signal that Digital signals are time separated signals
represents physical measurements. which are generated using digital
modulation.
It is denoted by sine waves It is denoted by square waves
It uses a continuous range of values that Digital signal uses discrete 0 and 1 to
help you to represent information. represent information.
Temperature sensors, FM radio signals, Computers, CDs, DVDs are some examples
Photocells, Light sensor, Resistive touch of Digital signal.
screen are examples of Analog signals.
The analog signal bandwidth is low The digital signal bandwidth is high.
Analog signals are deteriorated by noise Relatively a noise-immune system without
throughout transmission as well as deterioration during the transmission
write/read cycle. process and write/read cycle.
Analog hardware never offers flexible Digital hardware offers flexibility in
implementation. implementation.
It is suited for audio and video transmission. It is suited for Computing and digital
electronics.
Processing can be done in real-time and It never gives a guarantee that digital signal
consumes lesser bandwidth compared to a processing can be performed in real time.
digital signal.
Analog instruments usually have s scale Digital instruments never cause any kind of
which is cramped at lower end and gives observational errors.
considerable observational errors.
Analog signal doesn't offer any fixed range. Digital signal has a finite number, i.e., 0 and
1.
Advantages of Analog Signals
Here, are pros/benefits of Analog Signals
Easier in processing
Best suited for audio and video transmission.
It has a low cost and is portable.
It has a much higher density so that it can present more refined
information.
Not necessary to buy a new graphics board.
Uses less bandwidth than digital sounds
Provide more accurate representation of a sound
It is the natural form of a sound.
Advantages of Digital Signals
Here, are pros/advantages of Digital Signals:
Digital data can be easily compressed.
Any information in the digital form can be encrypted.
Equipment that uses digital signals is more common and less
expensive.
Digital signal makes running instruments free from observation errors
like parallax and approximation errors.
A lot of editing tools are available
You can edit the sound without altering the original copy
Easy to transmit the data over networks
Disadvantages of Analog Signals
Here are cons/drawback of Analog Signals:
Analog tends to have a lower quality signal than digital.
The cables are sensitive to external influences.
The cost of the Analog wire is high and not easily portable.
Low availability of models with digital interfaces.
Recording analog sound on tape is quite expensive if the tape is
damaged
It offers limitations in editing
Tape is becoming hard to find
It is quite difficult to synchronize analog sound
Quality is easily lost
Data can become corrupted
Plenty of recording devices and formats which can become confusing to
store a digital signal
Digital sounds can cut an analog sound wave which means that you
can't get a perfect reproduction of a sound
Offers poor multi-user interfaces
Disadvantage of Digital Signals
Sampling may cause loss of information.
A/D and D/A demands mixed-signal hardware
Processor speed is limited
Develop quantization and round-off errors
It requires greater bandwidth
Systems and processing is more complex.
