Analog-to-digital converter - Revision history

Larsbrinkhoff: Other short abbreviations.

2026-10-30T06:08:53Z

Other short abbreviations.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:08, 30 October 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	An '''analog-to-digital converter''' (often referred to using the shorter ~~abbreviation~~, '''a-to-d converter''') is a device (usually attached to a computer as a [[peripheral]]) which takes an [[analog]] [[signal]] and measures its [[amplitude]] (usually the [[voltage]]) and converts the measurement to [[digital]] form. It can thus convert [[analog data]] to [[digital data]].		An '''analog-to-digital converter''' (often referred to using the shorter abbreviations, '''a-to-d converter''', '''ADC''', or '''A/D''') is a device (usually attached to a computer as a [[peripheral]]) which takes an [[analog]] [[signal]] and measures its [[amplitude]] (usually the [[voltage]]) and converts the measurement to [[digital]] form. It can thus convert [[analog data]] to [[digital data]].

	==Implementation basics==		==Implementation basics==

Jnc: /* Implementation basics */ Variation with the 'variable voltage reference' approach

2026-10-29T10:57:11Z

Implementation basics: Variation with the 'variable voltage reference' approach

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 29 October 2026
Line 7:		Line 7:
	The simplest mechanism for performing the A->D function uses a 'reference voltage' and a 'voltage division network' of [[resistor]]s; the network is wired to produce increasing partial values (1/2, 1/4's, etc) of the reference voltage. A comparator is wired to each, along with the input. This produces a reading quickly, but has the down-side that it requires 2^N comparators, for an N-bit output.		The simplest mechanism for performing the A->D function uses a 'reference voltage' and a 'voltage division network' of [[resistor]]s; the network is wired to produce increasing partial values (1/2, 1/4's, etc) of the reference voltage. A comparator is wired to each, along with the input. This produces a reading quickly, but has the down-side that it requires 2^N comparators, for an N-bit output.

	Another approach is to use a variable, controlled, voltage reference; this only needs one comparator, but takes more time (to adjust the reference voltage up and down). The voltage of the reference source is adjusted until it matches that of the input.		Another approach is to use a variable, controlled, voltage reference; this only needs one comparator, but takes more time (to adjust the reference voltage up and down). The voltage of the reference source is adjusted until it matches that of the input. There are numerous variations within this basic approach, depending on what pattern it uses to adjust the voltage ([[binary search]], etc).

	==See also==		==See also==

Jnc: Not lengthy, but fills a red link

2026-10-28T14:24:28Z

Not lengthy, but fills a red link

New page

An '''analog-to-digital converter''' (often referred to using the shorter abbreviation, '''a-to-d converter''') is a device (usually attached to a computer as a [[peripheral]]) which takes an [[analog]] [[signal]] and measures its [[amplitude]] (usually the [[voltage]]) and converts the measurement to [[digital]] form. It can thus convert [[analog data]] to [[digital data]].

==Implementation basics==

Depending on how much resolution (i.e. how many [[bit]]s in the digital output value) is desired in the reading, and how quickly it is desired to get a reading, there are quite a few potential techniques that can be used. Almost all make use of one or more [[comparator]]s (a [[circuit]] which compares two input voltages, and indicates which one is higher).

The simplest mechanism for performing the A->D function uses a 'reference voltage' and a 'voltage division network' of [[resistor]]s; the network is wired to produce increasing partial values (1/2, 1/4's, etc) of the reference voltage. A comparator is wired to each, along with the input. This produces a reading quickly, but has the down-side that it requires 2^N comparators, for an N-bit output.

Another approach is to use a variable, controlled, voltage reference; this only needs one comparator, but takes more time (to adjust the reference voltage up and down). The voltage of the reference source is adjusted until it matches that of the input.

==See also==

* [[Digital-to-analog converter]]

==Further reading==

* Barbera W. Stephenson, ''Analog<—>Digital Conversion Handbook'', E-5100, Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, 1964 - covers a very early state of the technology

[[Category: Electronics]]
[[Category: Hardware Basics]]