Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) is a commonly used encoding technique in the field of digital communications. It is a binary line code where the voltage levels remain constant for the duration of each bit period, with no return to zero voltage level during the transitions between bits.
In NRZ encoding, the binary 0 is represented by one voltage level, usually a low voltage or 0 volts, while the binary 1 is represented by a different voltage level, typically a high voltage or a positive voltage. This results in a continuous stream of high and low voltage levels that corresponds to the binary data being transmitted.
One of the key characteristics of NRZ is its simplicity, as it requires just two voltage levels to represent the binary data. However, this simplicity also poses some potential challenges, such as a higher risk of error propagation if there are long sequences of the same bit value, leading to synchronization problems or difficulties in accurately extracting the original data.
NRZ coding is commonly used in various communication systems, including fiber optic networks, serial data transmission, and computer storage devices. It is straightforward to implement and decode, making it a popular choice in many applications.
Overall, Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) is an encoding technique that represents binary data using two voltage levels, enabling the transmission of digital information in a continuous stream of varying voltage levels.
