Advantages of digital techniques: “Greater accuracy and precision are possible with digital techniques.” Evaluate this statement in the context of measurement, storage, and processing.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Correct

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Digital methods have transformed measurement and computation by enabling repeatable calibration, error detection/correction, and robust storage. The claim addresses whether digital approaches generally allow higher accuracy and precision compared with purely analog methods under practical constraints.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Digital systems use quantization and binary encoding to represent values.
  • High-resolution ADCs/DACs and stable references are available.
  • Error-correcting codes, averaging, and calibration routines can be applied.


Concept / Approach:
While quantization imposes step size limits, digital techniques excel through calibration, filtering, and redundancy. Precision improves with higher resolution (more bits) and oversampling; accuracy benefits from stable references and digital correction. Digital storage avoids drift inherent in some analog storage media, and digital computation is exact with respect to its representation.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Relate precision to resolution: more bits → finer steps.Relate accuracy to reference stability and calibration algorithms.Use digital filtering/averaging to reduce noise and improve effective number of bits.Conclude that, in practice, digital techniques enable high accuracy and precision.


Verification / Alternative check:
Metrology instruments specify ENOB, linearity, and calibration procedures; digital post-processing compensates errors that are hard to address in purely analog chains.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Incorrect: Ignores advances in resolution and correction.
  • Only for low resolution / zero noise: Digital advantages persist across resolutions and realistic noise levels.
  • Cannot be judged: General engineering practice supports the claim with measurable specs.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming quantization always reduces performance; in many systems, dithering and oversampling improve effective precision beyond naive expectations.


Final Answer:
Correct

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