subject: How Modern Communication Technology Combines Digital And Analogue Signals [print this page] The technology behind the phone network has only required a few major adjustments over the years, which is impressive when you consider it was first developed over 100 years ago! Traditionally, all communications were made using analogue signals but nowadays we combine them with digital signals to make the network more cost-effective and efficient. The process is fairly straightforward.
When the phone network was first established the analogue signals between phones were transmitted using a pair of copper wires for each line. At first a telephone operator made the connections manually. When you lifted the receiver of your telephone you were automatically connected with an operator who would ask the number of the line you wished to connect with. They would then connect the jack of your line to that of the relevant line and the connection was made. If a call was made nationally then sometimes a series of operators had to make the connections.
Naturally, as the phone network progressed and computer technology advanced, the manual operating system was soon replaced by an automated one. Copper is expensive and given that each analogue phone connection requires a pair of copper wires it is hardly surprising that phone companies looked to an alternative method for transmitting the sound data. This is when digital signals came into play.
An analogue signal can be transformed into a digital one using an analogue to digital convertor. Once the digital signals have been recorded it is possible to transmit literally hundreds of them down a single fibre optic cable. Each signal is recorded with incredible accuracy and once they have arrived at their destination they are transformed back into analogue signals using a digital to analogue convertor. These hubs are often located at the end of your street and pairs of copper wires then run into each individual house to transmit the analogue signal in the final leg of its journey.
The combined use of digital and analogue signals has enabled the phone network to remain a viable and affordable means of communication. The reduced infrastructure required for fibre optic cables when compared to copper wire systems means that the phone network has now feasibly reached a worldwide scale. This would never have been possible with the traditional manual system.
Although the internet has offered an alternative and rapidly advancing means of communication there is still a requirement for traditional landline phones, which offer a more reliable service that can still be used even if your internet connection fails or if you are experiencing a power cut.
