Analog versus Digital

Analog
 Continuous signal that mimics shape of acoustic sound pressure wave

Digital
 Stream of discrete numbers that represent instantaneous amplitudes of
analog signal, measured at equally spaced points in time.
 A/D Conversion
 An analog-to-digital converter (abbreviated ADC, A/D or A to D) is a device that converts a
continuous quantity to a discrete digital number.
 An ADC is an electronic device that converts an input analog voltage (or current) to a digital
number proportional to the magnitude of the voltage or current.
Steps of a A/D Conversion
Sampler

Analog signals are continuous in time. In order to convert them into

their digital representation we must sample them at discrete intervals
in time. The interval at which the signal is captured is known as the
sampling rate of the converter, and this sampling is done by the
sampler.

It is generally done using a Differential Comparator.

Quantizer
 The quantizer compares two or more sampled discrete values into a
digital value.
 Sampling converts the independent variable from continuous to
discrete. Quantization converts the dependent variable from
continuous to discrete.
 Quantizing is done using some logic gates in some types of ADC. There
are also some ADCs where quantizes are not required.

1
4
12

10

0
Encoder
An encoder is a device,

circuit, transducer,

software program,

algorithm or person that

converts information from

one format or code to

another, for the purposes

of standardization, speed,

secrecy, security, or saving

space by shrinking size.

Types of A/D Converters
1. A direct conversion ADC or flash ADC

2. A successive-approximation ADC

3. A ramp-compare ADC

4. The Wilkinson ADC

5. An integrating ADC (also dual-slope or multi-slope ADC)

6. A delta-encoded ADC or Counter-ramp

7. A pipeline ADC (also called sub ranging quantizer)

8. A Sigma-Delta ADC (also known as a Delta-Sigma ADC)

9. A Time-interleaved ADC

10. An ADC with intermediate FM stage

Benefits and Drawbacks of A/D
Converters
 Flash ADC are fast and simple, but requires huge number of
comparators.
 Pipelined ADC uses successive flash ADCs, has a high resolution,
but is far more complex than flash ADCs.
 Successive-Approximation ADC has a good resolution and has a
wide range, but has many complex intermediary steps.
 In Counter-ramp ADC a slow comparator cannot be disturbed by
fast input changes.
 Integrating ADC is used in most digital voltmeters for linearity and
flexibility.
 Delta-encoded ADC have very wide ranges and high resolution but
the conversion time is dependent on the input signal level.
THANK YOU