A signal that varies continuously over a range of amplitudes. A digital signal by contrast has only two values, representing 1 or 0.
An analogue signal varies considerably with time, taking any value within certain limits. The human voice is an analogue signal, varying in both frequency and volume. The standard telephone system uses analogue signals, which can be converted to digital signals by a PABX.
The representation of numerical values by physical variables such as voltage, current, etc.; continuously variable quantities whose values correspond to the quantitative magnitude of the variables.
A continuous value that most closely resembles the real world and can be as precise as the measuring technique allows. (" Analogue" is spelt " analog" in America.)
Analogue broadcasts are transmitted using radio waves of various lengths and various frequencies. Analogue can be contrasted with digital, whereby signals are compressed and may be encoded prior to transmission.
In electronics this describes a continuously variable signal, something which is not restricted to exact values. In music this refers to the variable electronic signal of sound going through an electrical device. Sound waves are converted into a variable electrical signal by a magnetic device like a microphone which generates electricity in response to the varying pressure of sound waves. An analogue device is also described as being linear, and as having an output proportional to it's input.
A type of data signal that uses a wave to represent high and low frequencies.
The representation of numerical values by physical variables such as voltage, current, etc. Analogue devices are characterized by dials and sliding mechanisms.
A signal that constantly varies in time and can (theoretically) be any signal amplitude. Microphones produce an analogue signal and most sound equipment operates solely on analogue signals.
The representation of information by a continuously variable physical quantity such as voltage ANSI
A system in which one continuously-varying physical quantity (e.g. the intensity of a sound wave) is represented directly by another (e.g. the voltage of an electrical signal) as faithfully as possible.
Signals that are recorded in analogue format are modulated, ie their information is contained in amplitude or amount of signal. Digital, conversely, is either on or off, and amplitude is identified in a different way.
The traditional means of communicating over a distance, via broadcast transmission or telephone wires. Now being replaced by digital broadcast and telephony, which can pack in much more information.
Applied to radio, as opposed to digital. Adjective describing the carriage of sound in the form of continuously varying electrical current and/or continuously varying electromagnetic signals.
Historical mode of transmission, uses standard wave to transmit television services
The older system of transmitting a direct representation of a waveform (Modern digital lines offer a coded representation).
This obviously means non-digital. This is data in the form of a continuous flow, for example a records and tapes are analog. Digital, on the other hand, is different as it transmits in pieces or samples.
A way of storing data using electrical signals. An analogue TV tuner uses radio frequencies which are susceptible to interference. Digital components - such as TVs, radios, recorders, video players, etc, use digital signals which are less prone to interference and offer enhanced quality, ease of use and greater versatility.
Information conveyed in a continuously varying electronic signal, unlike a digital signal which varies between two constant values. The first mobile networks were analogue.
LPs/cassette tapes store audio in non-digital form directly related to the signal.
Voltage controlled as opposed to pulse controlled. Analogue sound can more easily be used to accurately represent the original sound that it recorded than digital can. The disadvantage is that analogue has more imperfections in the sound.
a system in which changing values are represented by a continuously variable electrical signal
A description of a continuously variable signal or a circuit or device designed to handle such signals.
A signalling system that can take an infinite number of values. This is often described by a mathematical sine curve. An example of an analogue scale is temperature measurement, c.f. digital Close this window
A method of converting audio and video information to a continuously varying voltage or magnetic field. There are an infinite number of levels between the highest and lowest values.
Built in the 1980's, analogue technology allows a cell phone to transmit by sending voice, video, and data signals that are continually changing, and are the network systems. Analogue is a method of modulating radio signals so that they can transmit voice or data information. The newer versions of cellular phones are digital.
A form of data in which variables can take on a continuous range of values.
Capable of exhibiting continuous fluctuations, as in electronic technology in which signals exist as wavelike transmissions with various intensities of voltage or current. Television and radio are examples of analogue technologies.
The electrical replica or waveform of a physical process caused by changes in amplitude or frequency. Opposite of digital (Zeros & Ones).
Analogue signals can represent an infinite range of data as opposed to digital which can only represent distinct information. Television, radio and telephone all produce an analogue signal although they are slowly moving to digital.
Transmission of voice and images using electrical signals. Analogue mobile cellular systems include AMPS, NMT and TACS.
An analogue submodality varies continuously from light to dark; while a digital submodality operates as either off or on, i.e. we see a picture in either an associated or dissociated way.
In telecommunications, an analogue signal is one in which a base carrier's alternating current frequency is modified in some way, such as by amplifying the strength of the signal or varying the frequency, in order to add information to the signal. Boradcast and telephone transmission have conventionally used analogy technology
Analogue sound is best described as continuous sound, as oppose to digital sound in that the latter is a series of discrete on, off (or 1/0 True/False) signals. Vinyl Records give analogue sound, while CDs give digital. The most immediate audible difference is that analogue recordings sound warmer and more ronded than digital. Digital recordings are however more accurate.
A system in which signals vary continuously in contrast to a digital system in which signals vary in discrete steps. Any kind of information (e.g. Sound Speech, Pictures) is transmitted in continuous waveforms which the human senses are able to receive and to interprate.
A representation of a physical occurrence using another physical phenomena. For example, voice can be represented by an analogue electrical signal.
A representation of data using continuously varying states or values, for example a sound wave. An analogue representation can be converted to a digital one by sampling the wave at discrete intervals and recording a numerical value for the wave at each sampling point. Generally, the more frequently the analogue signal is sampled, the higher quality will be the resulting digital representation. Much of the data in an analogue representation may not be needed to convey the information required; for example, it may only be necessary to record the peaks and troughs of a wave, plus a number of intervening points. Removing this redundant data allows for data compression in a digital system.
With regard to remote sensing and mapping, this refers to information in graphical or pictorial form, such as an aerial photograph, as opposed to digital data
A method to store information as continuously variable signals instead of electronic codes.
A form of representation, such as a painting, a chemical photograph or a video tape, in which the image is composed of a continuous variation of tone, light or some other signal, in contrast to digital representation, in which the signal is broken down into discrete elements. For example, the hands of a traditional (analogue) clock continuously sweep its face, whereas a digital clock announces each second in isolation.
Refers to a signal which can take every value within a particular range. When we speak our voice produces frequencies and loudness levels which can take any value within a range of values. For example, the range of values loudness can take is a function of how loud or quiet we can speak.
the direct representation of a waveform, as opposed to digital which is a coded representation.
A watch or clock with hands as opposed to a digital readout.
There are two main ways of doing things electronically, analogue or digital. An analogue signal can be represented as a series of sine waves. The term originated because the modulation of the carrier wave is analogous to the fluctuations of the human voice or other sound that is being transmitted.
Analogue is a method of data transmission using wave signals as opposed to binary, digital methods. Loudspeakers, telephones, broadcast transmissions and record players are examples of technologies that are analogue in nature, though these are rapidly becoming more technically advanced and are moving to digital alternatives.
Continuously variable signals or data.
The representation of one continuously variable physical quality such as voltage, current, etc. which varies as a function of another variable such as time. As compared to Digital signals which have only two states i.e on or off, 1 or 0.
A continuously varying audio signal (in the form of an electrical voltage), as opposed to a digital signal.
Any quantity which varies continuously without distinct steps. For sound waves in air, this refers to the continuous variation in air pressure; for an audio signal, this refers to the continuous variation in current or voltage.
The traditional method of modulating radio signals so that they can carry information (as opposed to digital). AM (amplitude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) are the two most common methods of analog modulation.
The use of continuously changing quantities to represent numbers.
Opposite of digital. Analogue data merges continuously into each other without clearly defined steps. (E.g. the colours of a rainbow are not obviously separable from one another.)
Legacy technologies such as tape and vinyl store music as a direct representation of the sound wave. This is described as 'analogue recording'.
Transmission of voltage through primary frequencies.
Analogue Broadcasts are based on signals of constantly varying frequency such as radio waves, and can suffer from degradation during transmission
Used to describe a continuously variable signal, as opposed to a discrete or "digital" one, or a circuit designed to handle such signals.
describes the way information is represented in the form of continuously varying wave forms, for example a modulated radio signal or the variation in width and depth of the groove in a vinyl music record. Copying or transcribing analogue information for storage and transmission always involves some degradation of quality since reproduction can never be perfect. (See also Digital.)
Electronic transmission characterised by variable waveforms that represent information.
Method of handling sound signals as electrical voltages or magnetism. Analogue tape recorders are popular for their distinctive sound.
the direct representation of voice or video as a waveform, measured in cycles per second (Hertz). Human speech is analogue and as a consequence the original telephone networks were entirely analogue. Over recent years, we have seen a significant shift from this towards digital technology.
A form of data display in which values are shown in graphic form such as curves. Also a form of computing in which values are represented by directly measurable quantities such as voltages of resistances. Analogue computing methods contrast with digital methods in which values are treated numerically.
A form of transmitting information characterized by continuously variable quantities, as opposed to digital transmission, which is characterized by discrete bits of information in numerical steps. An analogue signal is responsive to changes in light, sound, heat and pressure.
refers to electronic transmission which is achieved by adding signals of varying frequency or amplitude. For example, a vinyl record stores sound as an analogue signal, while a CD is digital. Broadcast (television) and telephone transmission traditionally use analogue, but digital is now becoming more widely used. To be stored on a computer, analogue video must be converted to digital video.
A form of storing, processing or transmitting information through a continuous variable (rather than pulsed) signal.
The term used to describe the continuously variable wave-form nature of voices and other signals.
A system in which data is represented as a continuously varying voltage.
A term used to denote a watch dial with hands rather than digital display
A simple mobile telephone system which uses radio signals to carry voice in the form of a continuous wave. (See also DIGITAL). Not available since May 2001.
a signal that stimulates sound or vision by electrical analogy e.g. variations in voltage producing corresponding variations in brightness or vice versa.
A type of voice transmission where the telephone system transmits an electrical current which is analogue to the human voice, i.e. the louder the voice, the stronger the current. Still used in many telephone systems and most homes, although the trend is now moving towards digital systems.
A form of electrical transmission in which the signals transmitted are an exact replica of the original. Because analogue signals are prone to distortion, interference and error they are being replaced by digital techniques.
Any physical property indexed, controlled, or represented by another physical property capable of representing it accurately. Usually refers to a system that codes data by measuring voltages, rather than discrete signals (digitally).
A constantly varying signal. Data transmitted in a waveform is analogue.
The term given to the communication method of wireless devices that still use short wave radio
Method of recording pictures or audio using a variable voltage level signal. The signal degrades on each generation.
Pertaining to data in the form of continuously variable physical quantities. Contrast with digital. A waveform is analogue if it is continuous and varies over an arbitrary range.
A signal that carries information as changes in amplitude and/or frequency. Waves
A representation of an object that represents the original. Analogue devices monitor conditions such a movement temperature and sound and convert them into analogous electronic or mechanical patterns. For example, telephones turn voice vibrations into electrical vibrations of the same shape. Analogue implies a continuous signal in contrast with digital, which breaks everything down into numbers.
A form of signal that simulates sound or vision by varying electrical voltage to create distinctive patterns. Vinyl records, magnetic tape and CCD chips are all analogue.
An electrical signal or wave form in which the amplitude and/or frequency vary continuously
The representation in electrical values of non-electric physical quantities. For example, sound (pressure variations) can be represented in analogue form by an alternating voltage derived from microphone.
Analogue refers to the representation of data by a continuously changing physical state, such as intensity, frequency, or voltage.
Continuously variable numerical values such as voltage, current, etc.(The CCD camera produces analogue video signals.)
A signal that is continually variable, e.g. an envelope control voltage. (See Digital)
Analogue voltage controlled as opposed to pulse controlled. It is better than digital representation of sound but analogue systems add noise with each unit and amplification because of imperfection of analogue equipment.
This is the opposite of DIGITAL. It refers to things that aren't made up of numbers. A photo taken with a film camera would be an analogue picture. A photo taken by a digital camera would be defined in terms of zeros and ones and would be considered digital. (Related word: digital)
Any signal which represents a changing value over time.
Analogue systems handle information which is represented by continuous change and flow, such as voltage or current. Digital information in contrast is either on or off.
A transmission system using waves to carry the signal. The waves are modulated to carry the picture and sound information.
The traditional way your speech is communicated (it involves a continually varying signal). It's now outdated, having been replaced by digital, but unlike analogue watches, it won't be making a comeback.
( circuit) (USA ‘analog’) A type of circuit that deals with continuously varying voltage or current values that represent physical quantities, and where the output varies as a continuous function of the input, as contrasted with a digital circuit.
A transmission method or way of sending voice, video and data using signals (such as electricity or sound waves) that are continuously variable rather than discreet units as in digital transmissions. In the context of wireless communications, analogue refers to transmission networks built in the 1980s and that use analogue technology rather than digital.
A description of a continuously variable signal, or a device designed to handle such signals. In the context of wireless communications, analogue usually refers to traditional transmission networks or mobile phones that use analogue technology. The opposite is discrete or digital. See also Digital.
