analog signal
Not digitally encoded
An analog signal is a continuous electrical signal that varies smoothly over time, representing information through changes in voltage, current, or frequency.
Unlike digital signals, which use discrete values, analog signals can take any value within a range: The old radio picked up analog signals from the broadcast tower.
Vinyl records and traditional telephone lines transmit analog signals.
The term often appears in contrast to digital: We converted the analog signal to digital for processing.
Varying signals to transmit
- demodulationRecovering signal from carrier
- carrierOne that transports
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- attenuationGradual intensity reduction
interference · noise · bandwidth · antenna · broadcast · radio wave · AM · FM
Smooth periodic mathematical curve
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
hertz · modulation · carrier wave · bandwidth · harmonic · resonance · oscillation · wavelength
Synthetic resin plastic
- turntableRotating music player
- phonographGrooved disc audio player
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
- tape deckMagnetic audio playback device
record player · gramophone · amplifier · preamp · stereo · hi-fi · speaker · microphone
Closed electrical pathway
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
inductor · transistor · diode · transducer · filter · rectifier · amplifier · oscillator
Twisting from original state
- clarityState of being understandable
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
- warmthHeat you feel
- saturationState of complete permeation
coloration · headroom · clipping · faithful · reproduction · purity · resolution · richness
Evoking recent past
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- classicOf lasting excellence
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- old-schoolAdhering to past methods
eight-track · VHS · rotary phone · transistor radio · cathode ray tube · dial · needle · legacy
modulation
Varying signals to transmit
- demodulationRecovering signal from carrier
- carrierOne that transports
- propagationAct of spreading widely
attenuation · interference · noise · bandwidth · antenna · broadcast · radio wave · AM · FM · multiplexing
sine wave
Smooth periodic mathematical curve
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
oscilloscope · hertz · modulation · carrier wave · bandwidth · harmonic · resonance · oscillation · wavelength · period
vinyl
Synthetic resin plastic
- turntableRotating music player
- phonographGrooved disc audio player
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
tape deck · record player · gramophone · amplifier · preamp · stereo · hi-fi · speaker · microphone · mixer
circuit
Closed electrical pathway
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
capacitor · inductor · transistor · diode · transducer · filter · rectifier · amplifier · oscillator · potentiometer
distortion
Twisting from original state
- clarityState of being understandable
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
- warmthHeat you feel
saturation · coloration · headroom · clipping · faithful · reproduction · purity · resolution · richness
retro
Evoking recent past
old-school · eight-track · VHS · rotary phone · transistor radio · cathode ray tube · dial · needle · legacy · obsolete
- telecommunicationscell phone, cellphone, signals, cellular network, telephone calls
- transmissionbroadcast, broadcasting, transmitter, relay, transmission tower
- Analog TVcathode ray tube, CRT, tube TV, rabbit ears, VHF
- broadcast receptionantenna, broadcast, over-the-air, OTA, tuner
- electrical signalspulse, sine wave, square wave, waveform, voltage
- Pre-HD TV480i, 480p, NTSC, PAL, CRT television
analog signaldigital signal
Encoded binary data stream
digital transmission · digital recording · digital cable · digital television
sign, signal, analogy, analog, analogue, analogize, analogical, analogues, analogs