Todays world demands the ability to transmit data.

This demand is from the use of

cellular telephones, fax machines, routers, modems, clocks, and vehicles. Not that many years
ago there was not a global need for transferring data from one place to another using a signal.
Most data was sent to and from using typed pieces of paper that was mailed or carried to where it
needed to go. Nowadays it is rare to see a paper being hand delivered or mailed to someone.
Today with email, texting, and cellular phones, data can be sent all over the world in less than a
few seconds by only pressing a button. The way this data is transferred is using a signal. A
signal is basically the sending and receiving of data to and from a destination. In todays world
we have two distinct but similar types of signals. There are analog and digital signals.

The older of the two signals is the Analog signal. The analog is any continuous signal
for which the time varying feature (variable) of the signal is a representation of some other time
varying quantity, i.e. analogous to another time varying signal. . Another advantage of the
analog signal is the density of the signal, which is denser than its digital counterpart. Of the two
types of signals, the analog is cheaper to use and maintain. This is due to the fact that the analog
signal is simple to process with analog components. Even though the analog signal is a
dependable way to transmit data, there are some disadvantages. One of the main advantages of
the analog signal is the infinite amount of signal resolution potential. In other words, the analog
signal is infinite, and will never deteriorate or weaken in its transmitted state.

However the signal comes across some disruptions that will deteriorate its transmission.
One of the disruptions, which is a major disadvantage of the analog signal, is noise. Noise is
considered any unwanted variation of sound that is included into the analog signal. In other

ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPARISON

words, when an analog signal is transmitted over a long distance, random variations will interfere
with the signal and cause the signal to weaken and distort. Some describe the noise as distortion,
or clapping. To try and reduce the amount of noise that can get into the signal, developers have
created coaxial cable, and cable shielding. Another Disadvantage is the limitation of the size of
the data that is being transmitted.

With analog signals there is a need for communication modulation. This is the process of
altering the three parameters of a signal. When the message is modulated the signal is imbedded
within the carrier signal, which allows the message to be physically transmitted. The three
parameters that make up the modulation is the Amplitude, Frequency, and the Phase modulation.
Each of these parameters bring their own advantages and disadvantages. The amplitude
modulation is based on the transformations of the highs and lows of the signals wave. This
allows the signal to travel longer distances be being able to bounce off of structures. This also
allows the signal to be bounced off of the Earths atmosphere too. A disadvantage to this
parameter is its susceptibility to interference by other devices that are emitting signals of their
own.

The next parameter, Frequency modulation, is as the name implies, it has the ability to
change the signals baseband frequency. This parameter allows the signal to alter the number of
times each second in which the current itself changes its direction. This an advantage because it
allows the signal to receive less interference. Unlike AM, FM cannot bounce off of structures
which causes the signal to weaken when the receiver is not line of sight. With the Parameter
Modulation, the signals angle is altered between the start and a point on the waveform. This
parameter is much like the FM parameter as in it shares the resilience to noise. However this

ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPARISON

parameter is difficult to encoding or decoding the signal.

With the development of digital technology, a newer signal has also been developed so
that these newer devices can communicate. The further ahead we trudge into the future, the
more devices will depend on using digital signals to transmit data than the older analog signal.
Digital signals are non-continuous as analog signals are, and they change in individual steps.
Digital signals also are transmitted in a pulses unlike the analog signal which transmits as a
continual stream.

These pulses are the digital signals data being broken down prior to the data being
transmitted. These data segments are smaller pieces of information that has been translated into
binary data. This string of binary data is transferred to the receiving device which in turns
retranslates the data back into its original form. Each pulse is a constant value, however when
the data switches to the next segment, or pulse, there is an abrupt change in the transmission.
Each digital signal have two defined aptitude levels called nodes. These nodes can be specified
as two possibilities. These possibilities can be either 1 or 0, high or low, or true or false.

This is an advantage for the digital signal because of its ability to be manipulated and
transmitted by software, which in turns gives the user more options than would be available with
using the analog signal. However the analog signal does have an advantage over the digital
signal in the aspect of quality.

Quality of the signal is an important aspect for both the transmitter and receiver. With
digital devices the advantage of the data being translated and transmitted in binary form, also is

ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPARISON

its disadvantage because this translation of the data reduces the quality of the data itself. As
time marches on, new technology is being developed that will reduce the quality degradation and
let the digital signal maintain its quality from sender to receiver. However as with new
technology the cost of transmitting a digital signal is expensive when compared to its older rival
the analog signal.

The transmission of the digital signal can be performed in to different ways. This
transmission can be completed using either a parallel or a serial transmission. With the parallel
transmission the data is transmitted all at once over different channels. This is will allow the
information to be sent quickly. With the serial transmission the data is sent sequentially on the
same channel. This method is more cost effective than the parallel transmission because it uses
one line verses the parallels multiple lines. This is due to the states being located so close
together that a lower noise level is needed to be able to send the signal to a new decision point.

Another type of modulation, other than the three parameters FM, AM, and PM, the QAM
(Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is a form of modulation that is used to modulate data signals
for a carrier to be sent out via radio communications. An advantage of this type of modulation is
the increase in efficiency of the transmissions of radio communications, in both the phase and
amplitude variations. One of the larger disadvantages facing this type of modulation is the
amount of noise that can interfere with the signal.

There are instances where there is a need to send a digital signal in an analog fashion.
This is done with a digital to analog conversion. This is done through a process called DAC
(Digital Analog Conversion). This process takes the digital signal takes the translated binary

ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPARISON

code from the digital signal and transmits the signal as an analog signal. Even with its
advantages of sending the digital data as an analog signal, there is a chance that the conversion of
the signal can compromise the signal itself, unless the conversion and transmission is strictly
monitored. An example of a need to convert digital to the analog type signal is the use of dial up
internet modem. The lines that the converted analog signals transmit on POTS (Plain Old
Telephone Service) lines. These POTS lines support the transmission of data from the standard
phone lines, which also include fax lines, and the alarm system lines. With the data being
transmitted on the POTS line, it keeps the signal away from the digital PBX (Private Branch
Exchange) equipment.

With all of these different signals being transmitted around the globe there was a need to
ensure that a standardization was established. Standardizing the signals not only assisted in
keeping the different signals compatible, but also ensured that no one signal was beyond the
scope that it needed to be. In the United States the doctrine in charge of standardizing the
synchronous data transmission is the SONET. This standardization states that the limit of
number of lines rates per second as well as the base rates for the optical carrier levels. SONET
also established the North American Signal Hierarchy T(X).

All in all the benefits of using the digital signal over using an analog one is clear. Even
though the digital signal is more costly to transmit, it is easier to transmit and have the less
chance of the signal becoming deteriorated, or broken. In todays world the need for more
accurate and easy signal transmission and reception will outweigh the cost of sending the signal.
This is why the digital signal is the chosen signal because it provides better productivity due to
lesser errors.

ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPARISON

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Tech Stuff - Telecom and Network Speeds. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.zytrax.com/tech/data_rates.htm
Rouse, M. (2005). Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). Retrieved from
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Synchronous-Optical-Network
Poole, I. (n.d.). What is QAM - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. Retrieved from
http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design/pm-phase-modulation/what-isqam-quadrature-amplitude-modulation-tutorial.php
Rouse, M. (2005). digital-to-analog conversion (DAC). Retrieved from
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-to-analog-conversion-DAC
Strickland, J. (n.d.). Does digital sound better than analog?. Retrieved from
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/digital-versus-analog1.htm
Analog Signal. (2014). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_signal#Disadvantages