Paragrafo 1: In an electronic system, information can be transmitted in two forms: analogue signals and digital signals. Analogue signals mimic the movements of the phenomena they represent, such as the hands of an analogue clock or the pointer of an analogue multimeter. These signals are waves of fluctuating electrical current or voltage that represent sound, light, or other natural phenomena. For example, a microphone converts sound waves into an electrical current with a corresponding shape.

Domanda: What are analogue signals and how do they represent natural phenomena?

Paragrafo 2: Digital signals, on the other hand, represent information using numbers instead of waveforms. A digital clock displays time as a series of digits, and a digital multimeter does the same with electrical current or voltage. Digital signals are created by converting analogue signals into a numerical form, which makes it easier to transmit, store, and display in electronic systems. To convert analogue waves into digital signals, the waves are sampled at regular time intervals and measured into a series of numbers proportional to the voltage value. The time interval between samples is known as the sampling period, and the number of samples taken every second is called the sampling rate or sampling frequency.

Domanda: How are digital signals created and what is the process of converting analogue waves into digital signals called?

Paragrafo 3: The number of bits used to represent the values of analogue signals is called resolution. Resolution determines the level of detail and accuracy in representing the original analogue signal. Higher resolution means more bits are used, resulting in a more accurate representation. The resolution of a digital signal affects its quality and fidelity. It is important to choose an appropriate resolution based on the specific needs of the electronic system.

Domanda: What is resolution and how does it affect the quality of a digital signal?