What is Analog Communication & its Block diagram - Advantages , Disadvantages , Applications
It is establishing a connection or link between two points for information exchange. Communication is simply the process of conveying a message at a distance or the basic process of exchanging information. The word communication arises from the latin word commūnicāre, which means “to share”. Communication is the basic step for exchange of information.
Telecommunication:-
The word telecommunication means the exchange of information between two points at a very far distance
Example - communication between earth to satellite communication
Communication equipment
The electronic equipment used for communication is called communication equipment.
Example - transmitter modulator, oscillator, amplifier, communication channel, receiver
Analog communication
Analog communication is made up of two simple ideas: analog and communication. "analog" refers to signals that change smoothly over time, while "communication" is the act of sharing information between people or devices. So, analog communication means sharing information using analog signals.
In this type of communication, the message goes from the sender to the receiver as an analog signal. Analog signals are continuous, meaning they change constantly, like sound waves. Examples of analog signals include things like sound and video because they change over time.
In this guide, we will cover the basics of analog communication, including topics like modulation (changing signals), types of modulation, demodulation (recovering signals), noise (interference), and the roles of transmitters, receivers, and other key parts of the communication system.
Block diagram of analog communication system
To understand analog communication better, let's look at a simple block diagram of an analog communication system:
Information source:
This is where the information originates. It could be a voice (in a phone call) or a video (in a tv broadcast).
Input Transducer:
A transducer is a device that converts a physical quantity, like sound or temperature, into an electrical signal. For example, a microphone is a transducer that changes sound (your voice) into an electrical signal. In a communication system, the first and most important step is to convert messages, information, or data into electrical signals. This is essential because electrical signals are what travel through the communication system.
Transmitter:
The transmitter takes the information and converts it into an analog signal. This is often done using a process called modulation, where the signal is prepared for transmission over long distances.
Channel:
The channel is the medium through which the signal travels. It could be air (for radio), cables (for tv), or even optical fibers (for telephone systems). While the signal travels through the channel, it can pick up noise (unwanted signals or interference).
Receiver:
The receiver's job is to capture the signal from the channel and turn it back into a form that can be understood, like sound or video. This is done using a process called demodulation.
Output Transducer:
The primary function of the output transducer is to convert the electrical signal back into the actual information or message, such as sound, images, or videos. Devices like speakers, monitors, or TVs serve as output transducers in an analog communication system, transforming the electrical signals into the final output that we hear or see.
Destination:
finally, The destination is where the information ends up, like a speaker in a phone, a tv screen, or a radio.
Advantages of Analog Communication:
Simplicity:
Analog communication systems are generally simpler to design and implement compared to digital systems. This makes them cost-effective for certain applications.
Continuous signals:
Analog signals can carry a wide range of values, making them suitable for transmitting natural sounds, like music or voice, in a way that feels smooth and continuous.
Low bandwidth requirements:
Analog communication typically requires less bandwidth compared to digital communication for the same level of signal quality. This is beneficial in applications where bandwidth is limited.
Less processing power:
Since Analog signals don’t require conversion to digital format, less processing power is needed to handle the signals, making analog systems efficient for certain tasks.
Disadvantages of analog communication:
Noise interference: one of the major disadvantages is that analog signals are highly susceptible to noise and interference. This can distort the signal, reducing the quality of the transmitted information.
Signal degradation:
over long distances, analog signals tend to degrade, leading to a loss of quality. This makes them less effective for long-distance communication without the use of amplifiers.
Limited features:
Analog communication systems are limited in the features they can provide. For example, digital communication allows for encryption, compression, and error correction, which are not possible with analog systems.
Lower security:
Analog signals are easier to intercept and manipulate compared to digital signals, which can be encrypted for better security.
Applications of analog communication
Radio broadcasting:
analog communication is widely used in am (amplitude modulation) and fm (frequency modulation) radio broadcasts. These signals transmit sound (like music or news) over long distances to radios.
Television broadcasting:
traditional analog tv uses analog signals to transmit visual and audio content. Though digital tv is more common today, many regions still use analog tv broadcasts.
Telephone systems:
in older telephone systems, voice signals are transmitted as analog signals over telephone lines. This is the basis for landline communication, though many systems are now being replaced by digital technologies.
Two-way communication systems:
analog communication is often used in walkie-talkies, police radios, and other two-way communication devices where continuous signals are effective for voice transmission.
Audio and music transmission:
analog signals are crucial for transmitting sound in systems like public address systems (pa systems), analog audio equipment, and vinyl record players.
Medical devices:
analog communication is used in medical equipment like ecg (electrocardiogram) machines, which record the continuous electrical activity of the heart as analog signals.
Instrumentation and control systems:
analog signals are used in various industrial applications, including sensors and controllers that measure physical quantities like temperature, pressure, and speed, then communicate those readings.
Analog photography:
analog communication also applies to older photography methods, such as film cameras, where light is captured and stored as an analog image rather than as a digital file.
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