What are Analog and Digital Signals in a Computer Network?

Before knowing analog and digital signals, first, letโ€™s see what is signal?

What is Signal?

A Signal is an electromagnetic wave that is used to communicate system-to-system by sending data from one network to another network is basically known as โ€œSignalโ€.

In a computer network there are mainly two types of signals are:

  1. Analog Signal
  2. Digital Signal

What is Analog Signal?

An Analog signal is a signal which is continuous and has a time-varying feature. It is a representation of time-varying quantity. For example, the Human voice can be considered an analog signal because the signal of the human voice flows in a continuous manner.

Analog Signal

In other words, we can say that the analog signal is represented by the continuous variable which transmits the information/data as a response to physical phenomenon. It is known as an โ€œAnalog Signalโ€

Examples of digital signals areย Temperature, Pressure, Flow Measurement, etc.

Types of Analog Signal

  1. Simple Analog Signal
  2. Composite Analog Signal

What is Digital Signal?

As the word suggests โ€œDigitalโ€ which means it describes the electronic technology that generates signals. It is a physical signal that is represented by two discrete values โ€œ0โ€ & โ€œ1โ€, these discrete values are known as bitstream.

(If you want to know more about these discrete values then you should read our this article: What is the difference Between Bit and Byte?

In simple words, we can say that the binary signals are known as โ€œDigital signalsโ€ where the signals are converted into a small bit form which is represented by a series of โ€œ0โ€ & โ€œ1โ€.

Digital Signal

Examples of digital signals areย Motor, Digital Phones, Digital pens, etc

Difference between Analog and Digital Signal

Analog SignalDigital Signal
Signal1) In an Analog, signals are continuous.1) In a Digital, Signals are discrete.
Transformation2) In analog systems electronic circuits are
used for the transformation of signals.
2) In Digital Signals, the transformation
is done using the logic circuit.
Transmission3) Data transmission is not of high quality.3) Data transmission has high quality.
Flexibility4) In an Analog signal, their hardware is not flexible.4) In Digital signals, their hardware is not flexible.
Noise5) Analog signals are more likely to get affected and result in reduced accuracy.5) Digital signals are discrete time signals that are generated by digital modulation.
Power Consumptions6) Analog signals use more power.6) Digital signals use less power compared to analog.
Waves7) It is denoted by the sine waves.7) It is denoted by the square form.
Example8) Human Voice, Tape recorder, Temperature, etc.8) Mp3 players, Digital phones, computers, etc.

Leave a Reply

Accessibility and Inclusivity in Indian Software Design Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Tech Students and Professionals Exploring Quantum Cryptography 12 Data Scientist Skills You Must Have in 2023-24