- 2082 Baisakh · 1+1+3 marks
Digital system, logic level, BCD vs binary
Short answer
A digital system processes discrete binary signals. Logic levels are voltage states representing 0 and 1. Binary code converts the whole number to base 2; BCD codes each decimal digit in 4 bits, using more bits but enabling easy decimal display.
Define digital system and logic level. What is the difference between BCD and binary codes?
Digital system
A digital system is a system that processes information in discrete form, usually as binary signals 0 and 1, e.g. a computer, calculator or digital watch.
Logic level
A logic level is one of the discrete voltage states used to represent a binary value: HIGH (logic 1) and LOW (logic 0). For TTL, an input of 2.0–5 V is HIGH and 0–0.8 V is LOW.
BCD vs binary code
| Point | Binary code | BCD code |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Whole number converted to base 2 | Each decimal digit coded separately in 4 bits |
| Example: 25 | 11001 | 0010 0101 |
| Bits needed | Fewer (efficient) | More (e.g. 99 needs 8 bits vs 7) |
| Unused codes | None | 1010–1111 invalid |
| Arithmetic | Simple | Needs correction (add 0110) |
| Conversion to decimal | Lengthy | Very easy |
| Use | Computation, memory | Displays, calculators, clocks |
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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