Analog circuits combine multiple components to serve as communicators within an electrical device. They communicate electrical currents through changes in electric frequencies, as opposed to digital circuits, which typically use binary code to direct signals. Analog circuit design can range from very simple to extremely complex, and consists of the following components: transistors, inductors, capacitors, resistors, diodes and operational amplifiers.
Transistors
Transistors are a key component in analog circuit design. The two basic types of transistors are bi-polar junction and metal-oxide field-effect. These parts are used to do one of two things: amplify an electric current, or, alternatively, act as a switch. They also consist of another component used in the circuit design process, diodes.
Diodes
The purpose of diodes is to control the flow of electrical currents within an analog circuit design. They also prevent any currents from flowing in the wrong direction through a mechanism. Many different types of diodes exist. A device may include any of the following:
* Signal, rectifier, or power diode
* Schottky diode
* Zener diode
* Light-emitting diode
* Photodiode
Inductors
In analog circuits, inductors’ jobs are to store energy. Inductors are usually coil-shaped, and when electricity flows into them, it is stored inside as magnetic energy.
Resistors
These components do just what their name implies. They create resistance within a circuit through the lowering of voltage and reduction of energy flow. This is all done passively rather than actively.
Operational Amplifiers
Unlike resistors, operational amplifiers increase or amplify the voltage within an analog circuit, and they involve differential output. Within this type of component, the output signal is always higher than the input signal, and they are often used in analog circuits to conduct mathematical operations.
Capacitors
Capacitors are a fundamental component in analog circuit design and act as an energy storage center. They can also do things like filter signals. There are many different types, each with different size, voltage, resistance and leakage properties.
All of these various components can be used to create analog circuits. A design does not have to include all of the parts mentioned above. It may contain two singular components or multiples of each one. Overall, designing analog circuits tends to be more difficult than designing digital ones, and complex designs require very knowledgeable specialists.
