The analogue connection

Abstract

Although many important systems (e.g. computers) can be considered as entirely digital electronic devices, the real world is, for the most part, analogue and non-electronic. To utilize the power of digital systems to process information from this non-digital world requires transducers to convert the information to analogue electronic signals and encoders to change these to digital signals. After processing, the information may require decoding to an analogue form and conversion from an electronic signal in order to use the processed information for display or control. Figure 7.1 shows the basic elements in a data acquisition and control system. Conversion of information, in an accurate and reliable manner, between the analogue and digital parts of the system is an important and critical part of the process.