Introduction - mbits-mirafra/digitalDesignCourse GitHub Wiki
The Dawn of digital systems
Let's take an example of the census system before digital systems came into existence.
Before the dawn of digital systems, the census was conducted through manual methods. This meant that census takers went door-to-door to collect information about households and individuals, filling out paper questionnaires by hand.
The completed questionnaires were then transported to a central location where the data was stored, processed and analyzed. This process was often time-consuming and labor-intensive, and errors could occur during the data entry process.
With the advent of digital systems, the census process has become more efficient and accurate. Many households now complete their census questionnaires online, which speeds up the data collection process and reduces the risk of errors.
Additionally, digital systems allow for real-time monitoring of data collection, so any issues can be identified and addressed quickly. The use of digital technology has also enabled more detailed and comprehensive analysis of census data, allowing for a better understanding of population trends and demographic changes over time. Overall, the use of digital systems has improved the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the census.
Definition
A digital system is a system that uses digital signals to process and transmit information. They are designed to store, process, and communicate information in digital form. A personal computer is an example for a digital system.
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Storage: The storage function of a digital system is essential for preserving data and information over time. Without storage, a digital system would not be able to retain data for future use, which would severely limit its usefulness.
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Processing: The processing function of a digital system involves manipulating data and information to produce meaningful results. Processing also helps to optimize the performance of a digital system by allowing it to prioritize tasks and allocate resources more efficiently.
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Communication: The communication function of a digital system enables users to share information and data across different devices and networks. This function is critical for facilitating collaboration, enabling remote work, and enabling users to access information from different locations.
Representation
Digital signals are represented by binary digits, or "bits," which can have a value of either 0 or 1. These bits can be combined and manipulated in various ways to perform complex operations.
Why is it important to know about digital systems?
1. Ubiquity: Digital systems are ubiquitous in modern society. From smartphones and computers to cars and home appliances, digital systems are used in almost every aspect of daily life.
2. Problem Solving: Digital systems can be complex and understanding how they work can help in troubleshooting and problem solving.
3. Innovation: Understanding the possibilities and limitations of digital systems can help create new products and improve existing ones.
For example, Innovation in drone technology refers to creating new and better ways to design, manufacture, and use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
Some examples of recent innovations in UAV include improving battery life, making the cameras and sensors more advanced.
These innovations are expanding the range of applications for drones and making them more efficient and effective.
As a result, drones are becoming one of the important tool in a variety of industries.
4. Communication: Digital systems are used for data exchange. Understanding how these systems work can help in effective communication and collaboration.
Example: Before the dawn of digital systems all messages had to be conveyed manually through means like letters, messengers. But now, people can communicate globally thanks to digital systems.
Use Cases of Digital Systems
The most common industries that implement digital systems include:
1. Entertainment: Digital systems have changed the way people consume and access entertainment. Streaming services, online gaming, and social media platforms have transformed the entertainment industry.
2. Education: Digital systems have made education more accessible and affordable. Online courses and e-learning platforms allow people to learn new skills.
3. Healthcare: Digital systems have transformed healthcare by enabling remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and digital records management Transportation: Digital systems have revolutionized transportation through the development of autonomous vehicles, traffic management systems
Limitations
1. Aliasing: In digital systems, a phenomenon called aliasing can occur when signals are sampled at a rate that is too lower than Nyquist Rate or when there are multiple signals whose frequencies are similar, they interfere with each other and create aliased signal . This can result in distorted or inaccurate data.
2. Limited resolution: Digital systems can only represent values in discrete steps, whereas analog systems can represent a continuous range of values. This means that digital systems have limited resolution, which can result in a loss of information and accuracy.
For example, if a user wants to print a large format poster from an image captured with a 12-megapixel camera, the resulting print may appear blurry or pixelated due to the limited resolution of the original image.
3. Delay: Digital systems can introduce a delay or latency in processing, which can be a problem in real-time applications such as audio or video.
4. Higher complexity: Digital systems can be more complex and require more processing power and memory than analog systems. This can make them more expensive and difficult to implement.