Analog and Digital Signals Digital Electronics TM

1.2 Introduction to Analog

Analog & Digital Signals

This presentation will
• Review the definitions of analog and digital signals.
• Detail the components of an analog signal.
• Define logic levels.
Analog & Digital Signals • Detail the components of a digital signal.
• Review the function of the virtual oscilloscope.
Digital Electronics

Analog and Digital Signals Example of Analog Signals

• An analog signal can be any time-varying signal.
Analog Signals Digital Signals • Minimum and maximum values can be either positive or negative.
• Continuous • Discrete • They can be periodic (repeating) or non-periodic.
• Infinite range of values • Finite range of values (2) • Sine waves and square waves are two common analog signals.
• Note that this square wave is not a digital signal because its
• More exact values, but • Not as exact as analog, minimum value is negative.
more difficult to work with but easier to work with
Example:
A digital thermostat in a room displays a temperature
of 72. An analog thermometer measures the room 0 volts
temperature at 72.482. The analog value is
continuous and more accurate, but the digital value is
more than adequate for the application and Sine Wave Square Wave Random-Periodic
3 (not digital) 4
significantly easier to process electronically.

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2009 1
Analog and Digital Signals Digital Electronics TM
1.2 Introduction to Analog

Parts of an Analog Signal Logic Levels

Before examining digital signals, we must define logic levels.
A logic level is a voltage level that represents a defined
Period
digital state.
(T)
Logic HIGH: The higher of two voltages, typically 5 volts
Frequency:
Amplitude Logic LOW: The lower of two voltages, typically 0 volts
(peak) 1
F Hz 5.0 v
Amplitude T
(peak-to-peak)

Logic High
Logic Level Voltage True/False On/Off 0/1

2.0 v HIGH 5 volts True On 1

Invalid LOW 0 volts False Off 0
Logic
0.8 v Level

5 0.0 v Logic Low 6

Example of Digital Signals Parts of a Digital Signal

• Digital signal are commonly referred to as square waves or clock Amplitude:
For digital signals, this will ALWAYS be Falling Edge
signals.
5 volts.
• Their minimum value must be 0 volts, and their maximum value Period:
Amplitude

must be 5 volts. The time it takes for a periodic signal to

• They can be periodic (repeating) or non-periodic. repeat. (seconds) Time Time
High Low
Frequency:
• The time the signal is high (tH) can vary anywhere from 1% of the A measure of the number of
(tH) (tL)

period to 99% of the period. occurrences of the signal per second.

(Hertz, Hz)
5 volts Rising Edge
Time High (tH):
Period (T)
The time the signal is at 5 v.
Time Low (tL):
0 volts The time the signal is at 0 v. Frequency:
Duty Cycle: 1 tH
The ratio of tH to the total period (T). F Hz DutyCycle   100%
T T
Rising Edge:
A 0-to-1 transition of the signal.
7 Falling Edge: 8
A 1-to-0 transition of the signal.

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2009 2
Analog and Digital Signals Digital Electronics TM
1.2 Introduction to Analog

Oscilloscope Virtual Oscilloscope: Multisim

Oscilloscope Instrumentation Oscilloscope

• The Oscilloscope is a piece of electronic

Component

test equipment that is used to capture and

measure time-varying signals, both analog
Markers:
and digital. Displayed Signals Movable markers
T1 & T2
• Oscilloscopes can be found on the Marker Display:
workbench (physical) as well as part of a Displays the voltage & time
intersect for the markers
simulation tool (virtual). T1 & T2.

• We will limit our usage to the virtual Timebase: Channel_X: Channel Selection
oscilloscope. Adjusts the time scale and
offset of the signals. This is
Adjusts the horizontal
scale and offset of the
9 common for all channels. selected channel. 10

Example: Digital Signal Example: Digital Signal

Example: Solution:
Determine the following information for the digital signal shown: Amplitude:
2V
• Amplitude Amplitude  2.5 div 
div
• Period (T)
Amplitude  5 v
• Frequency (f) 2 ms / div
• Time High (tH)
2 v / div
• Time Low (tL) Period (T):
• Duty Cycle (DC) T  4 div 
2 ms
div
T  8 ms

Frequency (f):
1 1
f 
T 8 ms
f  125 Hz
11 12

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2009 3
Analog and Digital Signals Digital Electronics TM
1.2 Introduction to Analog

Example: Digital Signal Period Measurement with Markers

Solution: The markers can be used to measure the
Time High (tH):
2 ms
period tH & tL (next slide).
t H  2.4 div 
div
t H  4.8 ms
2 ms / div
Period (T):
2 v / div
Time Low (tL):
2 ms
T  8 ms
t L  1.6 div 
div
t L  3.2 ms

Duty Cycle (DC):

tH
DC   100%
T
4.8 ms
DC   100%
8 ms
13 14
DC  60%

tH & tL Measurement with Markers

Low High ( tL):
t L  3.214 ms

Time High ( tH):

t H  4.786 ms
15

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2009 4