Analog To Digital Converter, ADC

Converts analog signals to digital signals

dynamic range of an ADC is influenced by many factors,
including the resolution (the number of output levels it can
quantize a signal to), linearity and accuracy (how well the
quantization levels match the true analog signal) and jitter (small
timing errors that introduce additional noise)

Quantization Error
the noise introduced by quantization in an ideal
ADC
non-linear and signal-dependent
Qe = (LSB/2)
Signal to Quantization Noise Ratio
SQR = 20log(2^Q)
Q = number of quantization bit
ADC Types
direct-conversion ADC or flash ADC has a bank of
comparators sampling the input signal in parallel, each
firing for their decoded voltage range.
successive-approximation ADC uses a comparator to
successively narrow a range that contains the input
voltage.
ADC Types
ramp-compare ADC produces a saw-tooth signal
that ramps up or down then quickly returns to zero
Wilkinson ADC
designed by D. H. Wilkinson in 1950
based on the comparison of an input
voltage with that produced by a
charging capacitor
ADC Types
integrating ADC (also dual-slope or multi-slope ADC)
applies the unknown input voltage to the input of an
integrator and allows the voltage to ramp for a fixed
time period (the run-up period).
delta-encoded ADC or counter-ramp has an up-down
counter that feeds a digital to analog converter (DAC)
ADC Types
pipeline ADC (also called subranging quantizer) uses
two or more steps of subranging. First, a coarse
conversion is done. In a second step, the difference to
the input signal is determined with a digital to analog
converter (DAC).
sigma-delta ADC (also known as a delta-sigma ADC)
oversamples the desired signal by a large factor and
filters the desired signal band
ADC Types
time-interleaved ADC uses M parallel ADCs where each ADC
samples data every Mth cycle of the effective sample clock
ADC with intermediate FM stage first uses a voltage-to-
frequency converter to convert the desired signal into an
oscillating signal with a frequency proportional to the voltage of
the desired signal, and then uses a frequency counter to convert
that frequency into a digital count proportional to the desired
signal voltage
Applications
Music recording
Digital signal processing
Scientific instruments
Examples
ADC ICs:
ADC0844 a moderate-speed device, showing a typical
conversion speed of 40 microsec.
ADC12181 a 12-bit, 10MHz converter with an internal
sample-and-hold; used for applications requiring both high
speed and high resolution
CS5396 offers stereo 24-bit resolution with a maximum
sampling rate of 96 kHz; dynamic range of 120 dB

Converts digital data (binary) to analog signals
suitability of a DAC for a particular application is
determined by six main parameters: physical size,
power consumption, resolution, speed, accuracy, cost
most DACs are implemented as integrated circuits
Digital To Analog Converter, ADC
Applications
Audio
Video
Mechanical
DAC Types
pulse-width modulator
Oversampling DACs or interpolating DACs
binary-weighted DAC
R-2R ladder DAC
Successive-Approximation or Cyclic DAC
thermometer-coded DAC
Hybrid DACs

Examples
DAC ICs: Examples
DAC0832 microprocessor-compatible 8-bit converter
DAC7545 12-bit linear converter
PCM1716 a stereo 24-bit converter designed specifically
for high quality digital audio apps.