Digital Signal
A digital signal is one whose amplitude can only take certain values.
Digital signals only contain distinct values because they are discrete. The data is 8-bit or 1 byte.
Bits of binary data, or 0 or 1, are carried by digital signals; each bit can only hold one value at a time. Square waves or clock signals are used to represent digital signals.
0 volts is the minimum and 5 volts is the maximum value.
Analog signals are more susceptible to noise than digital signals.
Modulation is a process used to transmit digital data over an analog channel.
Digital data is converted to analog signals using amplitude modulation, which uses a single frequency carrier signal. Similar to this, FREQUENCY shift keying uses two frequencies and a constant amplitude carrier signal to distinguish between 1 and 0.
Since digital signals have more productive applications and physical characteristics than analogue signals, their use for information transmission has risen quickly in all areas of application in the modern world.
Examples Of Digital Signals
- Smart transmitters using various protocols transmit data through analog and digital signals.
- Digital video signals.
- CDs.
- Computer.
- Digital watches.
- DVDs.
Characteristics Of Digital Signal
- Digital signals are discrete signals.
- Digital signals are versatile, so they’re widely used.
- The accuracy of the digital signal is better than that of the analog signal.
- This type of electronic l signal is often processed and transmitted better compared to analog signal.
Advantages Of Digital Signals
- Digital data can be easily compressed.
- These signals turn the moving instruments free from errors.
- Equipment that uses digital signals is more common and less expensive.
- Digital signals can convey information with less noise, distortion and interference.
- You can edit the sound without altering the first copy.
- As the DSP operations are often altered, that’s why digital signal processing is more flexible.
- Digital signals can be reproduced easily in mass quantities at comparatively low costs.
- Digital signal processing is safer because digital information is often easily encrypted and compressed.
- Digital signals are often easily stored on any magnetic media or optical media using semiconductor chips.
- Digital systems are more accurate and therefore the probability of error occurrence is often reduced by employing error detection and correction codes.
- Digital signals can be transmitted over long distances.
Disadvantages Of Digital Signals
- Sampling may cause a loss of information.
- Processor speed is limited.
- Systems and processing are more complex.
- Develop quantization and round-off errors.
- A/D and D/A demand mixed-signal hardware.
- Digital systems and processing are typically more complex.
- Higher bandwidth is required for data communication in comparison to analog transmission of equivalent information.
Difference Between Analog And Digital Signal
| Analog Signals | Digital Signals |
| Continuous signals | Discrete signals |
| Represented by sine waves | Represented by square waves |
| Human voice, natural sound, analog electronic devices are a few examples | Computers, optical drives and other electronic devices |
| Continuous range of values | Discontinuous values |
| Records sound waves as they are | Converts into a binary waveform. |
| Only used in analog devices. | Suited for digital electronics like computers, mobiles and more. |