Digital signal
Digital signal
A digital signal is a sequence of discrete values representing information, transmitted or processed using digital techniques, and often represented as a series of pulses. By contrast, an analog signal is a continuous signal representing information using a smooth, continuous wave.
What does Digital signal mean?
A digital signal is a discrete-time signal that takes on a set of discrete values rather than a continuous range of values. Digital signals are commonly used to represent Information in digital systems, such AS computers, telecommunications, and audio and video equipment.
Digital signals are often represented as a Sequence of BITS, which are binary digits that can take on the values 0 or 1. The value of each bit represents the state of the signal at a particular time instant. For example, a digital signal that represents a binary number might consist of a sequence of bits that represent the digits of the number.
Digital signals can also be represented as a sequence of symbols, which can take on a set of discrete values. For example, a digital signal that represents an audio signal might consist of a sequence of symbols that represent the amplitude of the signal at a particular time instant.
Applications
Digital signals are used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- Data transmission: Digital signals are used to transmit data over long distances, such as over telephone lines or fiber optic cables.
- Data storage: Digital signals are used to store data on devices such as hard drives and flash drives.
- Signal processing: Digital signals are used to process signals to improve their quality or to extract information from them.
- Control systems: Digital signals are used to control systems such as robots and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Audio and video: Digital signals are used to represent audio and video signals in digital devices such as computers, smartphones, and televisions.
History
The development of digital signals can be traced back to the early days of digital computing. In the 1940s, Claude Shannon developed a mathematical theory of communication that laid the foundation for the use of digital signals in telecommunications. In the 1950s, the development of the transistor led to the development of digital integrated circuits, which made it possible to Build digital systems that were small, reliable, and affordable.
In the 1970s, the development of the microprocessor led to the widespread adoption of digital signals in a wide variety of applications. Today, digital signals are used in almost every aspect of modern technology.