The conversion involves quantization of the input, so it necessarily introduces a small amount of error or noise. These typically take the form of metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) mixed-signal integrated circuit chips that integrate both analog and digital circuits.Ī digital-to-analog converter (DAC) performs the reverse function it converts a digital signal into an analog signal.Īn ADC converts a continuous-time and continuous-amplitude analog signal to a discrete-time and discrete-amplitude digital signal. Due to the complexity and the need for precisely matched components, all but the most specialized ADCs are implemented as integrated circuits (ICs). Typically the digital output is a two's complement binary number that is proportional to the input, but there are other possibilities. An ADC may also provide an isolated measurement such as an electronic device that converts an analog input voltage or current to a digital number representing the magnitude of the voltage or current.

(1999), 'Analog-to-digital converter survey and analysis', IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 17 (4): 539–550, doi: 10.1109/49.In electronics, an analog-to-digital converter ( ADC, A/D, or A-to-D) is a system that converts an analog signal, such as a sound picked up by a microphone or light entering a digital camera, into a digital signal. Staller, Len (February 24, 2005), 'Understanding analog to digital converter specifications', Embedded Systems Design.Razavi, Behzad (1995), Principles of Data Conversion System Design, New York, NY: IEEE Press, ISBN 0-7803-1093-4.(1974), Nuclear Electronics, New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 315–316 Liu, Mingliang, Demystifying Switched-Capacitor Circuits, ISBN 0-7506-7907-7.(1989), Radiation Detection and Measurement (2nd ed.), New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 665–666 Johns, David Martin, Ken, Analog Integrated Circuit Design, ISBN 8-7.(2005), The Data Conversion Handbook, Elsevier: Newnes, ISBN 0-7506-7841-0 Holberg, Douglas R., CMOS Analog Circuit Design, ISBN 0-19-511644-5 However, some non-electronic or only partially electronic devices, such as rotary encoders, can also be considered ADCs. The size of the number grows with an increase in the input voltage or current. Typically, an ADC is an electronic device that converts an input analog voltage or current to a digital number. The reverse operation is performed by a digital-to-analog converter ( DAC). An ADC may also provide an isolated measurement. 4-channel stereo multiplexed analog-to-digital converter WM8775SEDS made by Wolfson Microelectronics placed on a X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro sound card.Īn analog-to-digital converter (abbreviated ADC, A/D or A to D) is an electronic integrated circuit that converts a continuous quantity to a discrete time digital number.

Analog to digital converter types