Difference Between Analog and Digital Transmission

Analogue transmission conveys signals, voices, images, data and video information in continuous variation. On the other hand, digital transmission discretely transfers over the medium of transmission. Furthermore, there are four ways through which the signals are transmitted in analogue transmission. These ways include a fibre optic cable, a twisted pair or coax cable, the water or air. Whereas, the signals in digital transmission are transmitted through electromagnetic signal e.g. microwave.

Signals in analogue transmission are continuous and can be represented as physical measurements while signals in digital transmission are discrete as they are generated by digital modulation.

Analogue signals are indicated by sine waves while digital signals are indicated by square waves. Moreover, analogue transmissions use continues range of charges which represent the information whereas digital transmissions use discrete charges so as to represent the information.

The analogue technology records the waveforms just as they are whereas digital technology records the analogue waveforms into a set of limited numbers before recording them.

The data can be deteriorated by voices during the transmission in analogue while there is no deterioration during the whole transmission. In addition, the accuracy may get affected due to noise in the air in analogue transmission whereas the digital transmission is not affected by any kind of noise in the air.

The hardware used in analogue is not flexible, but the digital hardware is quite flexible in functioning. The analogue transmission can only be used in analogue devices while digital transmission can be used in computing and other digital electronic devices.

The application of analogue transmission include thermometer while PCs and PDAs are the application of digital transmission. Besides, the analogue technology is cheaper as compared to the digital technology. However, the data transmission is limited in analogue transmission.

The equipment used for analogue transmission is also cheaper than the equipment used in digital transmission. The digital signals can be improved by using some tools on computer while the analogue signals remain as they are.