ADC: what it means.
An ADC connects an analog signal path to digital processing. Its input is a physical voltage or current representation; its output is a numerical code. Conversion divides the input range into discrete levels, so a digital result is an approximation of the original continuous quantity. (Analog Devices: electronics terminology)
Do not confuse resolution with total measurement accuracy. More possible codes describe a finer numerical scale, but the complete measurement also depends on the input circuit and operating conditions. Read the converter specifications together with the signal-conditioning requirements. (Analog Devices: electronics terminology)
Put the definition to work.
A sensor may produce a voltage that changes with temperature. An ADC lets a digital system work with measurements of that voltage, rather than the original analog signal. (Hybrid Electronics glossary)
Questions to ask next.
Use these questions as a reading checklist, not as a device-selection recommendation. Exact manufacturer documentation takes priority over a general definition.
- Input range and signal type
- Resolution and sampling requirements
- Reference, input conditioning and timing
For the broader explanation, explore the complete integrated circuits guide. This page defines the term; the companion guide connects it to the rest of the system.
Common ADC questions.
Is an ADC the opposite of a DAC?
At the signal-conversion level, yes: an ADC encodes an analog input as digital data, while a DAC produces an analog output from digital input. Their circuit requirements and limitations still differ. (Analog Devices: electronics terminology)