Analog-to-digital conversion, also known as analog-digital conversion or ADC, refers to the process of converting analog signals into digital signals. It is a crucial aspect of modern communication systems, where analog signals such as sound or light waves need to be transformed into a digital format that can be processed, stored, and transmitted by electronic devices.
In essence, analog signals represent continuous quantities or variables, spanning a range of values. These signals are captured by an ADC, which samples and quantizes them at certain intervals, converting them into discrete digital values. This conversion involves two main steps: sampling and quantization.
Sampling involves measuring the amplitude of an analog signal at regular predetermined intervals, known as sampling intervals. The more frequent the sampling, the more accurate the digital representation of the analog signal. Quantization, on the other hand, involves assigning digital values to the measured amplitudes. These values are based on predefined levels of precision and are typically represented in binary format.
The resulting digital signal can be easily processed by various electronic devices like computers, microcontrollers, or digital signal processors. This allows for digital manipulation, analysis, and transmission of the original analog information, enabling a wide range of applications such as audio and video processing, telecommunications, medical imaging, and industrial control systems.
Overall, the process of analog-to-digital conversion plays a critical role in bridging the gap between the analog and digital domains, facilitating efficient and accurate communication and manipulation of real-world signals in the digital realm.
