digitaltillanalogomvandlare

A digital-to-analog converter, often abbreviated as DAC, is an electronic component that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. This process is the reverse of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Digital signals are represented by discrete values, typically binary numbers, while analog signals are continuous. A DAC takes these discrete digital values and translates them into a corresponding voltage or current level that changes smoothly over time.

The primary function of a DAC is to enable digital systems to interact with the analog world. For example, in audio playback, a digital audio file stored on a device is processed by a DAC to produce an analog electrical signal that can then be amplified and sent to speakers or headphones, producing sound. Similarly, in video displays, digital image data is converted by DACs into analog signals that control the brightness and color of pixels on older display technologies.

The performance of a DAC is typically measured by its resolution, which refers to the number of bits it uses to represent the analog output. Higher resolution means more discrete steps and therefore a more accurate approximation of the original analog signal. Another important metric is its sampling rate, which indicates how many digital values it can convert per second. The conversion process involves a series of steps, where the digital input code determines the analog output voltage or current.