Know the difference between a digital and analogue signal

Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 – Topic 3.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum

Learning objectives

• Identify the seven regions of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum in the correct order of wavelength and of frequency.
• Use the relationship \(c = \lambda f\) to calculate wavelength or frequency.
• State the photon‑energy relation \(E = hf\) when required.
• Distinguish between analogue and digital signals and explain why one is chosen over the other for a particular application.
• Describe typical everyday uses of each EM region and recognise the main harmful effects.

1. The electromagnetic spectrum – regions, order & typical uses

Key formulae

• Speed of light in vacuum (and in air to a very good approximation):
  

  \(\displaystyle c = 3.0\times10^{8}\ \text{m s}^{-1}\)

• All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed \(c\) in vacuum, regardless of wavelength or frequency.
• Relationship between wavelength and frequency:
  

  \(\displaystyle c = \lambda f\)

• Energy of a photon (useful for higher‑order questions):
  

  \(\displaystyle E = hf\) where \(h = 6.63\times10^{-34}\ \text{J s}\)

Worked example – wavelength of a 2 GHz radio wave

2. Analogue vs digital signals

2.1 What is an analogue signal?

• Continuous variation of amplitude, frequency or phase.
• Mathematically described by a smooth function, e.g. \(\displaystyle v(t)=A\sin(2\pi ft)\).
• Typical sources: sound from a microphone, AM/FM radio, analogue TV broadcast.

2.2 What is a digital signal?

• Consists of discrete levels; in most practical systems only two levels are used (binary 0 and 1).
• Visually represented by square pulses or a stepwise waveform.
• Typical sources: computer data, digital audio (CD, MP3), digital TV, data carried on fibre‑optic cables.

2.3 Key differences

2.4 Advantages & disadvantages

• Analogue

  • Simple circuitry; can represent an effectively infinite range of values – useful for high‑resolution sensors.
  • More susceptible to noise, distortion and signal loss.

• Digital

  • Robust against noise; error‑checking and correction are possible.
  • Easy to store, copy, process and transmit over long distances.
  • Requires ADC/DAC when interfacing with the physical world, adding cost and complexity.

2.5 Why choose one over the other?

Engineers select the format that best matches the required bandwidth, signal‑to‑noise ratio, distance and cost. For example, a simple temperature sensor may output an analogue voltage because the measurement is local and the required resolution is high. In contrast, a mobile phone uses digital modulation (e.g., QAM, OFDM) because it needs to transmit large amounts of data reliably over many kilometres of wireless link.

3. Practical applications across the EM spectrum

• Radio broadcasting – traditionally analogue (AM/FM), now increasingly digital (DAB, DRM).
• Television – analogue PAL/NTSC replaced by digital terrestrial television (DTT) and satellite TV.
• Mobile communications – digital modulation schemes (QAM, OFDM) operate in the microwave band.
• Fibre‑optic data links – digital light pulses (near‑IR) encode binary information.
• Remote controls – infrared digital pulses convey commands to TVs, air‑conditioners, etc.
• Medical imaging – X‑rays (analogue photons) are detected and converted into digital images for processing and storage.

4. Health & safety – harmful effects of EM radiation

• Ultraviolet (UV): Can cause skin burns, cataracts and increase skin‑cancer risk. Although non‑ionising, it is biologically damaging.
• X‑rays & Gamma rays: Ionising radiation that can damage DNA, leading to cancer. Strict dose limits are imposed in medical and industrial use.
• Microwaves & radio waves: Generally non‑ionising; high power levels can cause heating of tissue (e.g., microwave ovens). Safety standards limit exposure (SAR limits, power‑density limits).
• All regions require appropriate shielding, distance or protective equipment to keep exposure below limits set by organisations such as the ICRP or national regulatory bodies.

5. Summary

The electromagnetic spectrum extends from long‑wavelength radio waves to ultra‑short‑wavelength gamma rays. All EM waves travel at the same speed \(c\) in vacuum (≈ \(3.0\times10^{8}\ \text{m s}^{-1}\)), and the relation \(c = \lambda f\) lets students convert between wavelength and frequency. Photon energy is given by \(E = hf\).

Analogue signals vary continuously and are simple to generate, but they are vulnerable to noise and loss. Digital signals use discrete binary levels, offering robustness, easy storage, error correction and the ability to travel long distances, though they require ADC/DAC conversion when interacting with the real world. The choice between analogue and digital, and the part of the spectrum used, depends on bandwidth requirements, noise tolerance, distance and the nature of the information being transmitted.