Analogue-to-digital Converters

Analogue-to-digital Converters

An analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is an electronic device that converts an analogue signal, such as a sound wave or a voltage, into a digital signal that can be processed by a computer. The process of converting an analogue signal to a digital signal involves two main steps: sampling and quantization. Sampling involves taking measurements of the analogue signal at regular intervals, while quantization involves assigning a digital value to each sample based on its amplitude. There are several types of ADCs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types are the successive approximation ADC, the delta-sigma ADC, and the flash ADC. Successive approximation ADCs are relatively simple and inexpensive, but they are slower and less accurate than other types. Delta-sigma ADCs are highly accurate and can achieve high resolutions, but they are slower and more complex than other types. Flash ADCs are the fastest and most accurate type of ADC, but they are also the most expensive and require a large number of components. ADCs are used in a wide range of applications, including audio and video recording, medical imaging, and industrial automation. They are also used in many consumer electronics products, such as digital cameras, smartphones, and MP3 players. The performance of an ADC is typically measured in terms of its resolution, which is the number of bits used to represent each sample, and its sampling rate, which is the number of samples taken per second.

analogue signal, digital signal, sampling, quantization, successive approximation ADC, delta-sigma ADC, flash ADC, resolution, sampling rate, consumer electronics

— Anthony Smith