SANJIVANI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(An Autonomous Institution)

(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, Accredited by NBA, Accredited ‘A’ Grade by NAAC &
Affiliated to Savithribai Phule University)
Kopargaon – 423 603, Maharashtra.

L25
LECTURE HANDOUTS

Electrical I/I

Course Name with Code : ES1003 / BEEE

Course Faculty : Dr.G.Vijayakumar

Unit : V – Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits

Date of Lecture:

Topic of Lecture: Analog and digital signals and their comparison

Introduction :
Signals are functions that carry information. We use signals to convey
information from place to place. In electronics, signals are mainly in the form of
varying voltages. There are two types of signals. Both are very much different in
their characteristics. In this question, we have to differentiate between the two
signals.
Prerequisite knowledge for Complete understanding and learning of Topic:
 Transistor & OP AMP
Analog and digital signals 

Analog and digital signals are different types which are mainly used to carry the
data from one apparatus to another. Analog signals are continuous wave signals
that change with time period whereas digital is a discrete signal is a nature. The
main difference between analog and digital signals is, analog signals are
represented with the sine waves whereas digital signals are represented with
square waves. Let us discuss some dissimilarity of analog & digital signals.
The best example of an analog and digital is electrons because it deals with
analog as well as digital signals, input & outputs. In some way, an electronics
project mainly interacts by the real analog world whereas digital signals with
computers, microprocessors, and logic units. These two kinds of signals are
similar to different electronic languages. As some of the other languages can only
recognize as well as speak one of the two. This article discusses an overview of
both analog as well as digital signals, and comparison between them. Please refer
the link to know about Difference Between Analog Circuit and Digital Circuit

What is Analog and Digital Signal?

An analog signal is one type of continuous time-varying signals, and these are
classified into composite and simple signals. A simple type of analog signal is
nothing but a sine wave, and that can’t be decomposed, whereas a composite type
analog signal can be decomposed into numerous sine waves. An analog signal can
be defined by using amplitude, time period otherwise frequency, & phase. Amplitude
streaks the highest height of the signal, frequency streaks the rate at which an
analog signal is varying, and phase streaks the signal position with respect to time
nothing. An analog signal is not resistant toward the noise, therefore; it faces
distortion as well as reduces the transmission quality. The analog signal value range
cannot be fixed.

Analog Signal

Similar to analog, digital signals carry the data although it is a bit different. These
signals are discrete or not continuous. A digital signal carries the data in the form of
binary because it signifies in the bits. These signals can be decomposed into sine
waves which are termed as harmonics. Every digital signal has amplitude,
frequency, & phase like the analog signal. This signal can be defined by bit interval
as well as bit rate. Here, bit interval in nothing but the required time for
transmitting an only bit, whereas the bit rate is bit interval frequency.

Digital Signal

Digital signals are more resistant toward the noise; therefore, it barely faces some
distortion. These waves are simple in transmitting as well as more dependable while
contrasted to analog waves. Digital signals include a limited variety of values which
lies among 0-to-1. To know how analog signal is converted into digital, please refer
the link: How to Convert the Analog Signal to Digital Signal by ADC Converter

Comparison Chart
 Basis for Comparison Analog Signal Digital Signal

Nature Continuous with Discrete sets at specific

time. time.

Type of Waveform Sinusoidal waves Square waves

Representation

Information carried Continuous range of Discrete value i.e., 0 and 1.

values.

Noise Susceptibility More Comparatively less

Processing offered Easy Quite complex

Signal polarity Positive as well as Only positive

negative

Signal encryption Not required Required

Bandwidth Low Comparatively high

Power required for More Less in comparison to

transmission analog signal

Rate of data transmission Slow Quite fast

Parameters associated Amplitude, Bit rate, bit interval, etc.

frequency, phase, etc.

Accuracy of information More Comparatively less

Examples Human voice, vision. Computer data

transmission and
reception, transmission of
signals through cables like
telephone.

Key Differences Between Analog and Digital Signal

1. Analog and digital signals are differentiated mainly on the basis of their way
to carry the information. Analog signals represent the information as a
continuous function of time. As against, digital signals are represented
discretely at specific time intervals.
2. Analog signals deteriorate more easily than digital one as
their susceptibility towards noise is higher.
3. The devices that operate on an analog signal need more power for
transmission and reception than the devices that work on the digital signal.
4. The information represented by the analog signal is comparatively more
accurate than the digital signal due to its continuous range of values.
 5. Analog signals are transmitted at a slower rate than digital signals as the
information holds more values thus is precise.
6. An analog signal is defined by the amplitude, phase, frequency, etc. While the
digital signal is mainly associated with bit rate, bit intervals, etc.
7. The sinusoidal representation of the analog signal makes it difficult to
understand or get decoded thus encryption is not required in analog signals.
But as the digital signals are in the form of square waves, thus, it can be
decoded easily hence need to be encrypted for secured communication.
8. On the basis of processing, it is said that the continuous nature of the signal
offers easy processing of the analog signal. However, the discrete nature of
the signal offers difficultly in the processing of the digital signal.

Video Content / Details of website for further learning :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxJKXGugfh8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k8RKsDaNXQ
Important Books/Journals for further learning
Edward Hughes, “Electrical Technology”, Sevent Edition, Pearson Education.
B L Theraja, Electrical Technology, Chand Publications, New Delhi

Course Faculty