In the field of signals used to transmit signals, we can find two different ways, analog and digital, both use electricity, but in different ways. In analog technology, the electrical signals are converted into electrical impulses of varying amplitude and in digital technology, it transforms them into data in binary mode (0 and 1), where each bit represents two different amplitudes.
Analog Vs Digital
| Differences | Analogous | Digital |
| Concept | It transforms information, video, or audio into electrical signals that are then converted into electrical pulses with different amplitudes. | The information is translated into a binary format made up of zeros and ones, each bit of information represents two different amplitudes. |
| Etymology | It derives from the Latin analŏgus, used to define something by establishing a comparison or analogy with another similar thing. | It comes from the Latin digitalis, which means “relative to the fingers” and is related to entering information with the fingers. |
| Functioning | It is a continuous signal. To indicate physical quantities such as pressure, intensity, and power. It is also used to indicate hydraulic and thermal signals. | They are discrete-time variables that are generated by digital modulation. A discrete variable is one that only takes values that belong to a set, it does not take those that are outside of it. |
| Wave types | Sinusoidal waves. | Square waves. |
| Technology | It records the waves as they are emitted. | Convert the waves into numbers and record them. |
| Representation | Use continuous values to represent information. | They use discrete or discontinuous values to present the information. |
| Data transmission | During transmission, the analog signal deteriorates due to noise. | It is immune to noise and deterioration during transmission and writing/reading. |
| Noise | Its accuracy is affected by noise. | It is not affected, the noise acts as an analog signal. |
| Flexibility | Analogous systems are not flexible. | Digital systems are flexible during the execution process. |
| Example | The human voice through a microphone is an analog signal. | You can find them on computers, CDs, DVDs, storage devices, and more. |
| Applications | Thermometers are analog technology. | Computers are digital technology. |
| Applications | Analog signals are only read by analog equipment, they are more useful for audio and video transmission. | It is most useful in computers and their components. |
| Storage | They are stored as signal waves. | They are stored as binary bits. |
| Power | Analog equipment requires more power. | They don’t require a lot of power. |
| cost | It is inexpensive and portable. | It is expensive. |
| Impedance | Low. | High. |
| Bandwidth | Signal processing is done in real-time and consumes fewer bits. | Real-time signal processing is not guaranteed and consumes more bits. |
| Mistakes | They have a scale that is reduced so it usually presents errors. | They do not present observational errors such as parallax and approximation errors. |
Analogous
It is any continuous signal for which the character of a variable represents a qualitative characteristic. Use a set of values to represent the information.
Analog signals suffer from alterations that cause communication errors. The copies in the communication are not as good quality as in the original.
If you want to represent a variable analog value digitally, quantization errors can occur.
Digital
Use continuous-discrete values. Represent information discreetly, with letters and numbers, or continuously, with sounds, images, or other indicators.
Employs specific timing sequences to determine communication. In addition, it requires that the language be understood by both who sends the message and who receives it. The symbols used must have a specific meaning.
Copies of digital communications are as good quality as the original.
Differences between analog and digital
- Analog technology is cheaper than digital.
- Data in digital technology is converted into binary code and then transformed into its original form on the receiving equipment.
- Analog technology represents information with the signs of human communication.
