analogue

electronics (US: "analog") A description of a continuously

variable signal or a circuit or device designed to handle such

signals. The opposite is "discrete" or "digital".

Analogue circuits are much harder to design and analyse than

digital ones because the designer must take into account

effects such as the gain, linearity and power handling of

components, the resistance, capacitance and inductance of PCB

tracks, wires and connectors, interference between signals,

power supply stability and more. A digital circuit design,

especially for high switching speeds, must also take these

factors into account if it is to work reliably, but they are

usually less critical because most digital components will

function correctly within a range of parameters whereas such

variations will corrupt the outputs of an analogue circuit.

See also analogue computer.

(1995-11-14)