Analogsignaali

Analogsignaali is a concept representing a signal whose magnitude or intensity can vary continuously over time, unlike a digital signal which is quantized into discrete levels. Think of a dimmer switch controlling a light; the brightness can be set to any point between fully off and fully on. This continuous variation is characteristic of analog signals.

In the physical world, many natural phenomena are analog. Sound waves, for instance, are fluctuations in air pressure that can have an infinite number of amplitudes. Temperature, light intensity, and voltage are other examples of analog quantities that can be represented by analog signals. These signals are often used in older electronic devices and in applications where capturing fine details and nuances is crucial.

The primary characteristic of an analog signal is its continuous nature. It can be represented by a waveform that smoothly changes over time. This contrasts with digital signals, which represent information as a sequence of binary digits (0s and 1s). While analog signals can capture a wider range of values and offer high fidelity in certain applications, they are also susceptible to noise and distortion, which can degrade the signal's quality over time or during transmission. Processing and storing analog signals also often requires specialized equipment.