Analog To Digital (Adc) And Digital To Analog (Dac) Converters

Electric voltage and current signals are often referred to as analog signals. Analog signals must be converted to digital signals prior to input into computers. Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) are used to convert analog signals to digital signals. Inversely, the computer output that is in digital form must sometimes be converted to an analog signal prior to input to an electronic or electrical device. Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) are used to perform this operation. In this paper we will examine important characteristics associated with ADC/ DAC converters. In addition, we will explain how to specify a converter to meet the requirements of a specific system. We will also state and describe different types of ADC / DAC converters. Binary-weighted, and R2R Ladder type DAC circuits will be displayed and analyzed. Parallel Comparator or Flash, Dual Slope, and Successive Approximation type ADC circuits will be displayed and analyzed. We will explain extensively the advantage / disadvantage criteria associated with each type of ADC or DAC converters. Finally, two computer interfacing laboratory assignments will demonstrate the constructions of the R-2R Ladder type DAC, and Successive Approximation type ADC converters.