How does noise affect digital signals in medical instrumentation?

Noise in digital signals, particularly in medical instrumentation, can introduce unwanted variations that distort the signal. This distortion occurs because noise can create fluctuations that are misinterpreted as legitimate variations in the signal being measured. As a result, these inaccuracies can lead to erroneous data readings, compromising the reliability and validity of the information collected.

For instance, in medical devices that rely on precise measurements, such as ECG machines or EEG monitors, the presence of noise can obscure the true physiological signals, making it difficult for healthcare providers to interpret the data accurately. This can result in incorrect diagnoses or treatment decisions if the data is not correctly filtered or processed.

In contrast, noise does not enhance signal quality, nor is it without effect. Also, while noise can impact processing speed indirectly by requiring additional computational resources for error correction or signal enhancement, it primarily affects the accuracy of the readings and the integrity of the data collected.