Explain the difference between debouncing and filtering in sensor inputs.

• A. Debouncing handles mechanical bounce to provide a clean transition; filtering reduces high-frequency noise to avoid false triggers
• B. Debouncing reduces power consumption
• C. Filtering reduces high-frequency noise to avoid false triggers
• D. Debouncing always improves precision

Answer: (A)

Debouncing and filtering handle different reliability issues in sensor inputs. Debouncing addresses mechanical bounce from switches or relays: when a physical contact changes state, it can rapidly chatter between open and closed before settling. The goal is a clean, single transition by waiting for the signal to be stable or by requiring multiple consistent readings before acknowledging the new state.

Filtering, on the other hand, targets high-frequency noise that rides on the signal or brief spikes from the environment or electronics. A low-pass filter or smoothing technique reduces these rapid fluctuations so the system doesn’t misinterpret them as a state change.

That combination makes the first statement the best fit: debouncing fixes the bounce to produce a stable transition, while filtering reduces high-frequency noise to prevent false triggers. The other options miss one or both aspects—they either talk about power use, make an overgeneral claim about precision, or mention filtering in isolation without addressing bounce.