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Analog Communication - Introduction

The document provides an introduction to analog communication, defining communication as the exchange of information through various means. It outlines the basic parts of a communication system: sender, channel, and receiver, and classifies signals into analog and digital types. Additionally, it explains periodic and aperiodic signals, highlighting that most communication systems primarily use analog signals, which may be converted to digital as needed.

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8 views

Analog Communication - Introduction

The document provides an introduction to analog communication, defining communication as the exchange of information through various means. It outlines the basic parts of a communication system: sender, channel, and receiver, and classifies signals into analog and digital types. Additionally, it explains periodic and aperiodic signals, highlighting that most communication systems primarily use analog signals, which may be converted to digital as needed.

Uploaded by

bt22ece073
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Page 1 of 6

Analog Communication - Introduction


The word communication arises from the Latin word commūnicāre, which means “to
share”. Communication is the basic step for exchange of information.

For example, a baby in a cradle, communicates with a cry when she needs her mother. A
cow moos loudly when it is in danger. A person communicates with the help of a
language. Communication is the bridge to share.

Communication can be defined as the process of exchange of information through


means such as words, actions, signs, etc., between two or more individuals.

Parts of a Communication System


Any system, which provides communication consists of the three important and basic
parts as shown in the following figure.

Sender is the person who sends a message. It could be a transmitting station


from where the signal is transmitted.

Channel is the medium through which the message signals travel to reach the
destination.

Receiver is the person who receives the message. It could be a receiving station
where the transmitted signal is being received.

Types of Signals
Conveying an information by some means such as gestures, sounds, actions, etc., can be
termed as signaling. Hence, a signal can be a source of energy which transmits some
information. This signal helps to establish a communication between the sender and the
receiver.

An electrical impulse or an electromagnetic wave which travels a distance to convey a


message, can be termed as a signal in communication systems.
Page 2 of 6

Depending on their characteristics, signals are mainly classified into two types: Analog
and Digital. Analog and Digital signals are further classified, as shown in the following
figure.

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Analog Signal
A continuous time varying signal, which represents a time varying quantity can be
termed as an Analog Signal. This signal keeps on varying with respect to time,
according to the instantaneous values of the quantity, which represents it.

Example

Let us consider a tap that fills a tank of 100 liters capacity in an hour (6 AM to 7 AM).
The portion of filling the tank is varied by the varying time. Which means, after 15
minutes (6:15 AM) the quarter portion of the tank gets filled, whereas at 6:45 AM, 3/4th
of the tank is filled.

If we try to plot the varying portions of water in the tank according to the varying time,
it would look like the following figure.
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As the result shown in this image varies (increases) according to time, this time varying
quantity can be understood as Analog quantity. The signal which represents this
condition with an inclined line in the figure, is an Analog Signal. The communication
based on analog signals and analog values is called as Analog Communication.

Digital Signal
A signal which is discrete in nature or which is non-continuous in form can be termed as
a Digital signal. This signal has individual values, denoted separately, which are not
based on the previous values, as if they are derived at that particular instant of time.

Example

Let us consider a classroom having 20 students. If their attendance in a week is plotted,


it would look like the following figure.
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In this figure, the values are stated separately. For instance, the attendance of the class
on Wednesday is 20 whereas on Saturday is 15. These values can be considered
individually and separately or discretely, hence they are called as discrete values.

The binary digits which has only 1s and 0s are mostly termed as digital values. Hence,
the signals which represent 1s and 0s are also called as digital signals. The
communication based on digital signals and digital values is called as Digital
Communication.

Periodic Signal
Any analog or digital signal, that repeats its pattern over a period of time, is called as a
Periodic Signal. This signal has its pattern continued repeatedly and is easy to be
assumed or to be calculated.

Example

If we consider a machinery in an industry, the process that takes place one after the
other is a continuous procedure. For example, procuring and grading the raw material,
processing the material in batches, packing a load of products one after the other, etc.,
follows a certain procedure repeatedly.

Such a process whether considered analog or digital, can be graphically represented as


follows.
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Aperiodic Signal
Any analog or digital signal, that doesn’t repeat its pattern over a period of time is called
as Aperiodic Signal. This signal has its pattern continued but the pattern is not
repeated. It is also not so easy to be assumed or to be calculated.

Example

The daily routine of a person, if considered, consists of various types of work which take
different time intervals for different tasks. The time interval or the work doesn’t
continuously repeat. For example, a person will not continuously brush his teeth from
morning to night, that too with the same time period.

Such a process whether considered analog or digital, can be graphically represented as


follows.
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In general, the signals which are used in communication systems are analog in nature,
which are transmitted in analog or converted to digital and then transmitted, depending
upon the requirement.

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