Which device is utilized to capture an analog signal and convert it into digital data?

The device that is utilized to capture an analog signal and convert it into digital data is a digitizer. A digitizer specifically takes continuous analog signals, such as sound, images, or other sensory inputs, and transforms them into a digital format that can be processed, stored, and analyzed by computers. This conversion process is essential in various applications, including digital art, audio recording, and data collection from analog sources.

In contrast, a smart card reader reads the data stored on smart cards, which are already in a digital format. A virtual firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and it does not perform any signal conversion. A biometric scanner captures specific physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial features, and analyzes them for authentication but does not focus on converting analog signals to digital data in the same context as a digitizer.