A2D

A2D is an abbreviation that can denote analog-to-digital conversion in electronics. It refers to the process of converting a continuous-time signal (analog) into a discrete-time digital representation. In practice, devices called analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) perform sampling and quantization. Typical parameters include resolution (bits) and sampling rate; ranges commonly span from 8 to 24 bits, with higher resolutions used in audio and instrumentation. Common architectures include successive-approximation (SAR), sigma-delta, flash, and pipeline, each with trade-offs among speed, resolution, power consumption, and cost. ADCs are used in data acquisition systems, instrumentation, audio interfaces, sensor interfaces, and embedded controllers. In some contexts, the term A2D is used as a shorthand on diagrams or in older literature, but ADC is the standard term in contemporary writing.

Outside electronics, a2d can appear as an internal or project name, acronym, or shorthand in software libraries, hardware modules, or company products. Because it is not governed by a single standard, its precise meaning depends on context. If you encounter “a2d” in a document or code, check nearby definitions, a glossary, or accompanying documentation to determine whether it refers to analog-to-digital conversion, a software function, or a specific product code.

See also: ADC, analog-to-digital converter, sampling, quantization, bit depth.