Glossary Definition for Analog

Definition

A system in which an electrical value (usually voltage or current, but sometimes frequency, phase, etc.) represents something in the physical world. The electrical signal can then be processed, transmitted, amplified, and finally, transformed back into a physical quality.

For example: A microphone produces a current that is proportional to sound pressure. Various stages amplify, process, modulate, etc. Ultimately, a varying voltage is presented to a speaker which converts it back to sound waves.

By contrast, a digital system handles a signal as a stream of numbers.

Synonyms

• linear
• analogue

See Also

• Linear
• A/D Converter
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