{"id":6777,"date":"2023-05-08T10:58:35","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T08:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.delphin.de\/?post_type=glossar&#038;p=6777"},"modified":"2026-06-24T10:42:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:42:47","slug":"digital-signal","status":"publish","type":"glossar","link":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/glossar\/digital-signal\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital signal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>Digital signal<\/strong> is a time- and value-discrete signal that transmits information in the form of clearly defined states. Unlike analog signals, which can take on continuous values, a digital signal switches between fixed levels and typically represents information as binary states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, digital signals are often described by two signal states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low (0)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High (1)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These states are typically represented by different voltage levels. Depending on the technology used, the levels can range, for example, from 0 V to 5 V, 24 V, or other voltage ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In measurement and automation technology, digital signals usually take the form of square-wave signals or near-square-wave signals. The information they contain can be encoded in various ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>About the current signal level (high or low)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About the duration of a pulse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About the time intervals between signal edges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About the Frequency of a Periodic Signal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About Pulse Sequences or Counting Pulses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital signals are frequently used in modern measurement and data acquisition systems to record switching states, meter readings, rotational speeds, or position information. They enable robust and interference-free transmission of information and are easy to process and analyze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Typical sources of digital signals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Proximity Switch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limit Switch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Light Barriers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incremental encoder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rotational Speed and Frequency Sensors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PLCs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relay and Switching Contacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applications in measurement and testing technology:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recording of Switching States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Counting Pulses and Events<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rotational Speed and Frequency Measurements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Position and Displacement Measurement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trigger and Synchronization Signals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Machine and Equipment Monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advantages of digital signals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High resistance to interference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unambiguous Signal States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy Further Processing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reliable transmission over long distances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ideal for automation and monitoring tasks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital signals form a central foundation of modern measurement, testing, and automation systems and enable the reliable acquisition and processing of states, events, and process information.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-6777","glossar","type-glossar","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossar\/6777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossar"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossar"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}