Gologic Tec

In modern electronics, two fundamentally different approaches to the transmission, processing and storage of information are distinguished: analog and digital electronics. Despite the fact that both directions are closely intertwined in real devices, their fundamental differences determine the specifics of application in various fields from telecommunications to automation and medical equipment.

The main differences

• Continuity VS discreteness: analog signals flow smoothly, digital ones consist of a set of bits.
• Sensitivity to noise: an analogue is more easily distorted, digital is more resistant to interference.
• The complexity of the schemes: analogues are easier in structure, but less flexible; Digital requires software and logical schemes.

Analog electronics

Analog electronics operate continuous signals , changing in time or in amplitude smoothly. The simplest examples are sound amplifiers, radio receivers and temperature sensors with an output in the form of a voltage proportional to the measured value.

• Continuity - The amplitude and signal shape can take any value in a given range.
• Noise and distortion - Any external exposure (temperature, electromagnetic fields) directly affects the quality of the signal.
• Simplicity - The minimum set of components (transistors, resistors, coils, capacitors).
• Nonlinearity - The contrasted non -linear distortions are more difficult to adjust.

Digital electronics

Digital electronics works with signals of a discrete level - in most cases binary (0 and 1). It includes logical microcircuits, microcontrollers, PLIS (FPGA) and processors, where the interaction between the elements occurs according to the code.

• Discretion - The signals accept only two (or limited amount) levels, which provides high noise immunity.
• Programming - The functions of the digital system are changing the flashing or reconfiguration of logical blocks.
• Scalability - With the growth of integration, more and more computing power in one crystal is ensured.
• Accuracy and reproducibility - The repeatability of the results is practically independent of external conditions.

Application and examples

• Analog sound amplifiers , analog pressure and temperature sensors.
• Digital computers, Smartphones, digital cameras, microcontrollers in household appliances.
• Mixed (Mixed-Signal) Solutions where the analog front -end is connected to the digital signal processing (ACP/DAC).

Advantages and disadvantages

• Analog electronics:
  • Pros: Simplicity of schemes, low delay, natural work with physical quantities.
  • Cons: High sensitivity to interference, complexity of accurate calibration, limited flexibility.
• Digital electronics:
  • Pros: High noise immunity, accuracy, scalability, ease of storage and data transfer.
  • Cons: Discretization (ADC/DAC) is necessary, quantization artifacts, delayed processing delay are possible.

Conclusion

The choice between analog and digital electronics is determined by the requirements of a particular project. Analogue solutions are great for simple, highly sensitive applications with minimal delays. Digital systems offer flexibility, accuracy and wide programming opportunities. Often in modern devices they use a combination of both approaches, reaching the optimal balance between quality, reliability and cost.