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Tech Differences

Know the Technical Differences

Difference Between Analog and Digital Signal

Analog-Signal-Vs-digital-SignalAnalog and Digital are the different forms of signals. Signals are used to carry information from one device to another. Analog signal is a continuous wave that keeps on changing over a time period. Digital signal is discrete in nature.

The fundamental difference between analog and digital signal is that analog signal is represented by the sine waves whereas, the digital signal is represented by square waves. Lets us learn some more differences between analog and digital signal with the help of comparison chart shown below.

Content: Analog Vs Digital Signal

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion


Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison Analog SignalDigital Signal
Basic An analog signal is a continuous wave that changes over a time period.A digital signal is a discrete wave that carries information in binary form.
RepresentationAn analog signal is represented by a sine wave.A digital signal is represented by square waves.
DescriptionAn analog signal is described by the amplitude, period or frequency, and phase.A digital signal is described by bit rate and bit intervals.
Range Analog signal has no fixed range.Digital signal has a finite numbers i.e. 0 and 1.
DistortionAn analog signal is more prone to distortion.A digital signal is less prone to distortion.
TransmitAn analog signal transmit data in the form of a wave.A digital signal carries data in the binary form i.e. 0 nad 1.
ExampleThe human voice is the best example of an analog signal. Signals used for transmission in a computer are the digital signal.

Definition of Analog Signal

Analog signal is a kind of continuous wave form that changes over time. An anlaog signal is further classified into simple and composite signals. A simple analog signal is a sine wave that cannot be decomposed further. On the other hand, a composite analog signal can be further decomposed into multiple sine waves.

An analog signal is described using amplitude, period or frequency and phase. Amplitude marks the maximum height of the signal. Frequency marks the rate at which signal is changing. Phase marks the position of the wave with respect to time zero.

Analog-SignalAn analog signal is not immune to noise hence, it faces distortion and decrease the quality of transmission. The range of value in an analog signal is not fixed.

Definition of Digital Signal

Digital signals also carry information like analog signals but is somewhat is different from analog signals. Digital signal is noncontinuous, discrete time signal. Digital signal carries information or data in the binary form i.e. a digital signal represent information in the form of bits.Digital-Signal Digital signal can be further decomposed into simple sine waves that are called harmonics. Each simple wave has different amplitude, frequency and phase. Digital signal is described with bit rate and bit interval. Bit interval describes the time require for sending a single bit. On the other hand, bit rate describes the frequency of bit interval.

A digital signal is more immune to the noise; hence, it hardly faces any distortion. Digital signals are easier to transmit and are more reliable when compared to analog signals. Digital signal has a finite range of values. The digital signal consists 0s and 1s.

Key Differences Between Analog and Digital Signal

  1. An analog signal represents a continuous wave that keeps changing over a time period. On the other hand, a digital signal represents a noncontinuous wave that carries information in a binary format and has discrete values.
  2. An analog signal is always represented by the continuous sine wave whereas, a digital signal is represented by square waves.
  3. While talking of analog signal we describe the behaviour of the wave in respect of amplitude, period or frequency, and phase of the wave. On the other hand, while talking of discrete signals we describe the behaviour of the wave in respect of bit rate and bit interval.
  4. The range of an anlaog signal is not fixed whereas the range of the digital signal is finite and which can be 0 or 1.
  5. An analog signal is more prone to distortion in response to noise, but a digital signal has immunity in response to noise hence it rarely faces any distortion.
  6. An analog signal transmits data in the form of wave whereas, a digital signal transmits the data in the binary form i.e. in the form of bits.
  7. The best example of an analog signal is a human voice, and the best example of a digital signal is the transmission of data in a computer.

Conclusion

Digital signal is nowadays replacing the analog signal, but analog signal is still best for audio transmission.

Related Differences:

  1. Difference Between Modulation and Demodulation
  2. Difference Between AM and FM
  3. Difference Between Radio wave and Microwave
  4. Difference Between Analog and Digital Computer
  5. Difference Between QAM and QPSK

Comments

  1. Shubham says

    December 2, 2017 at 4:13 am

    Very easy

    Reply
  2. Bob says

    April 23, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    Should include a venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two

    Reply
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    May 3, 2018 at 6:04 pm

    this is awesome

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    May 18, 2018 at 4:16 pm

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    May 25, 2018 at 11:19 am

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    August 30, 2018 at 6:26 pm

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    September 10, 2018 at 8:43 am

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    September 18, 2018 at 12:12 pm

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    September 24, 2018 at 4:04 pm

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    December 19, 2018 at 4:31 pm

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    December 31, 2018 at 5:43 am

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    February 6, 2019 at 7:02 am

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    February 15, 2019 at 6:25 pm

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  15. Bilbo Baggins says

    February 19, 2019 at 6:57 pm

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    March 14, 2019 at 6:25 pm

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    March 18, 2019 at 11:40 pm

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    March 26, 2019 at 7:17 pm

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    March 27, 2019 at 7:13 pm

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    March 29, 2019 at 6:45 am

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  24. Jim Dougherty says

    April 10, 2019 at 6:29 am

    Very well done. The comparison between analog and digital signals was very easy to understand. Mentioning that analog was still the best method for transmitting audio means that we will be able to use radio receivers that were built decades ago well into the future.

    Reply
  25. Indi Jonk says

    April 18, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    Good article.

    Reply
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    May 1, 2019 at 8:16 pm

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    May 11, 2019 at 2:13 am

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    May 23, 2019 at 10:44 pm

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    May 29, 2019 at 3:33 pm

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    August 7, 2019 at 1:40 pm

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    August 23, 2019 at 7:31 pm

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    November 11, 2020 at 3:11 pm

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    November 30, 2021 at 5:53 pm

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    September 9, 2022 at 4:34 pm

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