Types of Analogue Signals
🌟 Signals in Our Daily Lives
Analogue signals are everywhere, seamlessly integrating into our daily lives. These fascinating signals represent continuous physical quantities such as:
- 🌡️ Temperature variations throughout the day
- 🚗 Tire pressure in our vehicles
- 🔊 Sound waves from our voices
- ⚡ Electrical measurements (voltage, current, power)
🌡️ Temperature Sensors
- Thermistor: Changes resistance with temperature
- Thermocouple: Generates voltage based on temperature difference
- RTD (PT100): Precise platinum-based temperature measurement
- Applications: HVAC systems, industrial processes, medical devices
🚗 Pressure Sensors
- TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System sensors
- Piezoelectric: Pressure-to-voltage conversion
- Strain gauge: Measures deformation under pressure
- Applications: Automotive, industrial pneumatics, weather stations
🔊 Sound Sensors
- Microphones: Convert sound waves to electrical signals
- Hydrophones: Underwater sound detection
- Piezo sensors: Detect vibration and sound pressure
- Applications: Audio recording, noise monitoring, sonar systems
⚡ Electrical Signals Explained
In the world of electrical systems, we work with three fundamental and interconnected quantities:
⚡ Voltage (V)
The driving force - electrical pressure between two points.
- Measured in: Volts (V)
- Common ranges: 230V AC, 24V DC, etc.
🔄 Current (I)
The flow of electrical charge through a conductor.
- Measured in: Amperes (A)
- Typically follows: Voltage waveform
🔋 Power (P)
The rate of energy transfer in the circuit.
- Measured in: Watts (W)
- Formula: P = V × I (DC circuits)
- Formula: P = V × I × cos(φ) (AC circuits)
💡 Important Note About Energy
Here's something fascinating: While voltage, current, and power are dynamic signals that vary over time, energy takes a different form. Energy (measured in Joules or Watt-hours) represents the cumulative area under the power curve over time:
- Mathematical representation: Energy = ∫ Power dt
- In simpler terms: Energy is the accumulated effect of power over time
- Real-world application: This is why your energy bills show kilowatt-hours (kWh) instead of instantaneous values
🔄 Interactive Signal Demonstration
📊 Amplitude and Frequency
Experiment with the controls below to discover how amplitude and frequency shape the signal:
🔄 Phase Comparison
Explore the relationship between two signals with different phase angles: