What is "analog-to-digital converter"

n. (context electronics English) A device that converts an infinite resolution analog signal to a finite resolution digital signal.

n. device for converting analogue signals into digital signals [syn: digitizer, digitiser, analog-digital converter]

In electronics, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC, A/D, A–D, or A-to-D) is a system that converts an analog signal into a digital signal. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) performs the reverse function.

An ADC may also provide an isolated measurement such as an electronic device that converts an input analog voltage or current to a digital number proportional to the magnitude of the voltage or current. Typically the digital output will be a two's complement binary number that is proportional to the input, but there are other possibilities.

There are several ADC architectures. Due to the complexity and the need for precisely matched components, all but the most specialized ADCs are implemented as integrated circuits (ICs).