What is the difference between Analog and Digital Sensors?
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Sensors are ubiquitous in the world we live in. They are used in a wide range of applications, from measuring temperature and humidity in a home thermostat to detecting the presence of objects in an autonomous car. When it comes to sensors, they can be broadly categorized into two types: analog and digital sensors. In this story, I will explore the key differences between these two types of sensors.
Analog Sensors:
Analog sensors are the sensors that measure a continuous physical quantity such as voltage, current, temperature, and pressure. They provide a continuous output signal that varies with the physical quantity being measured. The output of an analog sensor is a voltage or current that can be read by a microcontroller or analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
Analog sensors use a range of technologies to measure the physical quantity, including strain gauges, thermistors, and piezoelectric sensors. These sensors work by converting the physical quantity into an electrical signal that varies in voltage or current.
Example:
Electromyography (EMG)
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Electrooculography (EOG)
Electrogastrography (EGG)
Accelerometer (ACC)
Temperature (TEMP)
One of the key advantages of analog sensors is that they can provide accurate readings over a wide range of values. They are also often less expensive than digital sensors and can be used in a variety of applications.
However, one of the downsides of analog sensors is that they are susceptible to noise and interference. This can result in inaccurate readings, particularly when the signal is weak. Analog sensors also require calibration to ensure that they are providing accurate readings.
Digital Sensors:
Digital sensors are the sensors that measure a physical quantity and convert it into a digital signal. They provide a discrete output signal that is either on or off, high or low, 1 or 0. The output of a digital…
