AnalogeDigitalWandler

AnalogeDigitalWandler, often abbreviated as ADC in English, is an electronic device that converts continuous-time, analog signals into a discrete set of digital values. The conversion process typically involves sampling the input signal at regular intervals defined by a clock, followed by quantization of the sampled amplitudes and encoding into binary words. Most ADCs also include a sample-and-hold circuit to preserve the input value during conversion.

Common architectures include several approaches. Successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADCs use a binary search with a DAC and a comparator to determine each bit, providing a good balance of resolution and speed with moderate power consumption. Sigma-delta (ΔΣ) ADCs oversample the input and apply noise shaping to achieve very high resolution, often used in audio and precision instrumentation but with higher latency and limited instantaneous bandwidth. Flash ADCs employ a large array of comparators in parallel for very high-speed, low-latency conversion at the cost of higher power and price. Dual-slope ADCs integrate the input over a fixed period, offering robustness to noise and drift, suitable for stable, low-frequency measurements such as digital multimeters.

Performance is described by resolution (bits) and sampling rate, along with metrics such as effective number of bits (ENOB), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). Linearity errors (INL, DNL), input bandwidth, and full-scale range are also important.

Applications span data acquisition, audio processing, instrumentation, and sensor interfacing in both consumer electronics and industrial equipment. Interfaces commonly include parallel outputs or serial interfaces such as SPI or I2C, enabling integration with microcontrollers and digital systems.