Difference between Analog And Digital Circuits

Electricity does not differentiate between the circuits used to power it. Electricity is simply available for use in an analog circuit or a digital circuit. It uses the path that it is given and makes no decision about the better of the two. Deciding which is the better alternative leads to a discussion of the inherent differences between the two circuits. What are the differences between the two circuits and why are digital circuits much more economical?

Function

Before the differences between analog circuits and digital circuits can be established, the term "circuits" must be defined. Circuits are closed paths that can be used to describe many situations. In electronics, an electric current flows through a series of electronic components which are arranged and connected together to create a closed path or circuit. Circuits can be composed in any number of ways. The most popular way is through a printed circuit board or PCB. The PCB serves as the foundation for the electrical components to be assembled upon.

What Is The Primary Difference Between Analog And Digital Circuits?

The way an analog circuit processes a signal is different from a digital circuit. The operations supported on an analog circuit can be duplicated on a digital circuit, but there are differences between how these operations are completed. Noise, precision and design issues are the three main differences between analog and digital circuits.

The Issue Of Noise

Analog circuits have inherent noise or disturbances caused for any number of reasons. These disturbances are always significant because each translate as an actual change in the signal and even loss of information. Digital circuits do not have the same problems with noise. They are designed in a manner that can eliminate noise. Digital circuits recreate signal at specific points in the circuit thereby eliminating noise issues. Consistency in the data identifies digital circuits as more stable.

The Issue Of Precision

Precision is a reference to the random fluctuations of electrical current in electrical conductors. Analog circuits are made up of components that have physical limitations. These limitations can cause random fluctuations which cause
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similar problems to that of noise--loss of information, for example. In digital circuits more precision can be had by increasing the number of digits representing the signal. Digital operating systems perform without precision being affected.

The Issue Of Design

Compare analog circuits to digital circuits of the same output capacity and you will find it is a physically larger system. Digital circuits are much smaller and use integrated circuits, or chips, to do the same job faster and easier than most analog circuits. Smaller means easier to manufacture. Smaller also means easier and simpler to place with in a larger system. Analog circuits are usually hand built, more expensive to make, and require more space once they are in place.