Analog Signal vs. Digital Signal

Main Difference

The main difference between Analog Signal and Digital Signal is that Analog Signal is the continuous signal that keeps on changing with time, whereas Digital Signal is a discrete signal with binary data and possess discrete values.

Difference Between Analog Signal and Digital Signal

Comparison Chart

Analog Signal vs. Digital Signal

Analog signals are the signals that are continuous in nature and keep on changing with time. On the flip side, digital signals are the discrete types of signals with discrete values.

Analog signals have infinite possibilities, i.e., they have unlimited values. So, their range cannot be set. Actually, we are breathing in an analog world. There is an endless number of tones and smells etc. that can be heard and smell. On the other side, digital signals are discrete, or they have a finite number of possibilities, i.e., they have a limited number of values. So, it varies from 0 to 1.

Analog signals represented in the form of continuous sine waves. On the other side, digital signals are represented in the form of square waves. An analog signal explains the actions of the wave according to its time period, amplitude, and phase of the signal. On the other hand, the digital signal describes the characteristics of the signal according to the rate of a bit and bit interval.

The analog signals show the information in the form of a signal. On the other side, the digital signals show the information in the binary form that is bits. In the case of noise, analog signals face distortion and become horizontal. Conversely, the digital signals are resistant to noise and do not face distortion.

Flexibility is not present in analog signal hardware, whereas digital signal hardware is flexible during implantation. Analog signals are used in analog devices and are best for video and audio transmission. On the flip side, digital signals are used in digital electronics and are best for computing. Analog phones and the voice of humans etc. are examples of analog signals, while digital phones and computers are examples of digital signals.

What is an Analog Signal?

Analog signal is a type of signals that are continuous in nature and keep on changing with time. It represents the information in the form of a signal. These signals have infinite possibilities, i.e., they have unlimited values. So, their range cannot be set. These are the more precise type of signals.

Analog signals represented in the form of continuous sine waves. This sine wave cannot be decayed into parts. An analog signal explains the actions of the wave according to its time period or frequency, amplitude, and phase of the signal. Here, frequency deals with the rate of change of signals; amplitude denotes the maximum height of the signal, and phase represents the position of the wave according to time zero.

Such type of signals is not resistant to noise. So, in case of noise, analog signals face distortion and become horizontal. Analog signals have low impedance. Flexibility is not present in analog hardware. Analog devices have low cost and are portable. Such instruments require large power. The processing of analog signals can be completed in real-time, and it needs less bandwidth. Analog devices have a scale that is fixed at the lower end. It provides many observational errors.

Uses

Analog signals are used in analog devices and are best for video and audio transmission. Analog phones, thermometers, and a human voice, etc. are examples of such signals.

Types

• Simple Signals: These are a simple type of analog signal. The simple signal is a simple sine wave that cannot be decomposed.
• Composite Signals: These are composite forms of analog signals that are able to be decayed into several sine waves.

What is Digital Signal?

Digital signal is a type of discontinuous signals with discrete values and binary data. These signals show the information in the binary form that is bits. Digital signals are discrete, or they have a finite number of possibilities, i.e., they have a limited number of values. So, it varies from 0 to 1.

Digital signals are represented in the form of square waves. Each digital signal also has amplitude, phase, and frequency like the analog signal. The digital signal describes the characteristics of the signal according to the rate of a bit and bit interval. Here, bit interval equals the time required to transfer a single bit; on the other side; the bit rate is equal to the frequency of bit interval.

Digital signals are resistant to noise and do not face distortion. These types of signals have a high order of impedance, i.e., up to 100 megaohms. Moreover, digital hardware shows flexibility during its fixing. Digital devices have high costs and are not easily portable. These types of devices require negligible power. Digital signal processing is not guaranteed to complete in real-time, and it requires more bandwidth to process the same information. The digital devices do not face observational errors like approximation errors and parallax etc.

Uses

Digital technology has become very operative nowadays. Digital signals are used in digital appliances and are best for computing. Digital phones, digital pens, and computers, etc. are examples of such signals.

Conclusion

The above discussion summarizes that analog signals are a continuous type of signals that change with time and are represented in the form of sine waves. On the other side, digital signals are discrete types of signals that are represented in the form of sine waves.