Digital load cells perform A/D conversion using an internal A/D converter. After arithmetic processing to correct peculiarities in the load cell output, a digital signal is sent to the digital load cell indicator. While analog to digital (A/D) conversion is performed at the analog load cell indicator.

A digital load cell outputs numbers to the indicator while an analog load cell outputs voltage. The output of typical strain gauge load cell depends on applied voltage (the voltage supplied to the load cell by the indicator). On the other hand, digital load cells output the load applied to the load cell as a digital value (a number), regardless of the applied voltage.

Digital load cell incorporates its own internal analog to digital conversion unit. This reduces the noise pick up and delivers a very stable analog signal from Load cell for ADC conversion.

When a high-quality analog signal is obtained for ADC conversion, it will give more accurate weight display with low noise.

The internal resolution increases multiple times. This facilitates the offering of a very small weight graduation for display.

Digital Load cell are precalibrated and hence no field calibration is required.

Compared to digital load cell, the weight sensor with analog voltage output require the following steps before it can be connected to a PC:

Power regulation

Amplification

Digitization

Software Calibration

Digital Protocol conversion