A continuous-time signal is shown in Figure15(a). The signal is continuous because it has a value at any instance of time – that is, for any value of , it is possible read a value of from the graph. Most signals in the real world are continuous in time. For example, if you were monitoring the temperature of a room, you would be able to take a measured value of temperature at any time.
Figure 15 (a) Continuous-time signal; (b) discrete-time signal
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This figure consists of two graphs.
Graph (a) shows x (as a function of t) against t. The graph line fluctuates randomly up and down, above and below the horizontal axis.
Graph (b) shows x[n] against n. It consists of a series of vertical lines along the horizontal axis at integer values of n – some extending above the axis and some below. Each line has a small filled circle at the end furthest from the axis. The distance between two vertical lines is labelled T.
Figure 15 (a) Continuous-time signal; (b) discrete-time signal
A discrete-time signal (sometimes referred to as a time-discrete signal or simply a discrete signal) is shown in Figure15(b). In the rest of this course the standard convention of drawing the vertical lines in a discrete-time signal with a round dot on the end will be used; these lines-with-dots are often called ‘lollipops’. The signal in Figure15(b) is discrete because it only has a value at fixed points placed at discrete time intervals seconds apart along the -axis. is called the sampling interval. Values of can be found for the integer values of , such as , , etc., but there is no value for the signal at, say, . Thus represents the number of the sample.
It is hard to think of examples of real-world discrete-time signals, since most real-world signals are continuous; however, if you took the temperature reading of a room every day at the same time, the result would be a discrete-time signal. Most discrete-time signals come from sampling continuous-time signals to get them into a digitised form that can be processed by digital computers.
Activity 6
Timing: Allow about 5 minutes
State whether the following are discrete-time signals or continuous-time signals, giving a reason for each answer:
- a.the wind speed across the blades of a wind turbine
- b.the position of a robotic arm as it picks items from a conveyor belt
- c.the total distance travelled by the robotic arm each hour over a 24-hour period.
Answer
- a.The wind speed is a continuous-time signal, because you can take a reading at any time.
- b.The robotic arm always has a position – even if it is in a resting position, you know where it is – so this is a continuous-time signal.
- c.The total distance travelled by the robotic arm is recorded just once in each hour, so this is a discrete-time signal. Over a 24-hour period there will be 24discrete values recorded.
In the next section you will learn how a continuous signal is converted to a discrete signal.
FAQs
Electronic Application means an application electronically signed and submitted through the Internet.
What are the 4 applications of electronics? ›
Some of its applications included office gadgets like computers, scanners, calculators, FAX machines, projectors etc. It also includes home appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, vacuum cleaners, video games, loudspeakers etc. and some advanced storage devices such as HDD jukebox, DVDs etc.
What are the applications of electronic materials? ›
Electronic materials are the heart of all electronic elements that are used in everyday life, for example, phones, laptops, TVs, sensors, memories, displays, solar cells, LEDs, etc.
What is the definition of electronics and its application? ›
The term electronics is derived from the word “electrons”. Electronics is a branch of Physics that deals with the theory and use of devices in which the electrons travel through a vacuum, gas, or a semiconductor medium. The motion of electrons takes place under the influence of applied electric and/or magnetic fields.
What are examples of electronics? ›
Electronic device is an overarching term that refers to a hardware whose function is to control the flow of electrical energy for the purpose of processing information or controlling a system. Examples of these devices include computers, mobile devices, and smart televisions.
What is the most used electronic device? ›
Mobile phones remain the most popular electronic device globally, with an astounding 96% of consumers owning one. This high ownership rate highlights the indispensable role mobile phones play in daily communication, work, and entertainment (Statista).
What is basic electronics? ›
The basics of electronics refer to the concepts that include inductance, capacitance, resistance, voltage and electrical currents. Professionals who know the basics of electronics understand how devices control electrons via manipulating, storing, switching, selecting, steering, carrying or resisting them.
Which of the following are common applications of electronics? ›
Electronics or electrical components are used in everything from cooking to music. Calculators, digital watches, cell phones, laptop computers, mixers, refrigerators, and other electronic devices are common in our households.
What is electronics vs. electrical? ›
Electrical devices convert electrical energy into other forms of energy, for example heat, light or sound. Electronic devices control the flow of electrons in order to perform a task.
What electronic devices use daily? ›
Office Gadgets like calculators, scanners, personal computers, printers, fax machines, front projectors, etc. Home appliances such as refrigerators, a/c, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, microwave oven, etc.
Office devices such as computers, FAX machines, scanners, calculators, projectors, etc., are among the various uses of this technology. In addition, it consists of domestic devices such as washers, fridges, microwaves, televisions, vacuums, gaming consoles, speakers, and so forth.
What are the applications of digital electronics in real life? ›
Applications of Digital Circuits
The display of digital watches is designed based on digital circuits. Rocket science and quantum computing use digital electronics. The automatic doors work on the principle of digital electronics. Everyday encounters with traffic lights are based on digital circuits.
What is power electronics applications? ›
A whole lot of power electronics applications that we use in our daily life, such as a fan regulator, air-conditioning, induction cooking, light dimmer, emergency lights, vacuum cleaners, personal computers, UPS, battery charges, etc., are the major applications of power electronics.
What is an electronic application system? ›
Electronic application system means household applications are submitted by the household through a web-based or scanned application system.
How many types of electronics are there? ›
Electronic devices can be divided into two major kinds: Passive and Active devices based on their functionality.
What is an example of an electronic document? ›
Examples of electronic records include: emails, websites, Word/Excel documents, digital purchase receipts, databases, text messages, social media postings, and information stored on SharePoint sites and content management systems (Catalyst, Slack, DropBox, etc.).
What is considered a digital application? ›
” a digital application (also called an app) is simply a computer program created to carry out or facilitate a task on a computing device.” However, not all computer programs can be called applications. Digital is the opposite of analog.
What is electronic form and example? ›
Electronic forms are online web pages or electronic documents designed to capture, validate, and submit data in forms processing. Electronic forms (eforms) provide a series of fields where data is collected, often using a Web browser.
How do I create an electronic application form? ›
Step by Step for building an application form with high completion rate
- Step 1 - Sign up to MightyForms. ...
- Step 2 - Drag and Drop fields. ...
- Step 3 - Design your form. ...
- Step 4 - Add integrations and features for form automation. ...
- Step 5 - Share your application form. ...
- Be straight to the point. ...
- Think about the information you need.
