模拟和数字信号用于传输信息(例如任何音频或视频)，通常是通过电信号。在数字技术中，信息转换为二进制格式(0 或 1)，而在模拟技术中，信息转换为幅度变化的电脉冲。
数字系统与模拟系统的比较：
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Analog System | Digital System | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signal | Analog signal represents physical measurements. | Digital signals are discrete and generated by digital modulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Waves | Sine Waves | Square Waves | Representation | Continuous range of values to represent information | Uses discrete values to represent information | Technology | Records waveforms as they are. | Samples analog waveforms into a limited set of numbers and then records them. | Data transmissions | Affected by noise during transmission and write/read cycle. | Noise-immune during transmission and write/read cycle. | Response to Noise | More likely to get affected | Less likely to get affected | Flexibility | Hardware is not flexible. | Hardware is flexible. | Bandwidth | Less bandwidth. | More bandwidth to carry out the same information | Memory | Stored data in the form of wave signal | Stored data in the form of binary bit | Power | Consumes large power | Consumes negligible power | Uses | Best suited for audio and video transmission. | Best suited for Computing and digital electronics. | Cost | Cost is low | Cost is high | Example | Human voice in air, analog electronic devices. | Computers, CDs, DVDs, |