In some cases the choice is simple because there is a clear-cut advantage to using one architecture over another. And indeed, there exists a variety of applications in data-acquisition, communications, instrumentation, and interfacing for signal processing, all having a host of differing requirements.Ĭonsidering architectures, for some applications just about any architecture could work well for others, there is a 'best choice'. Converter ArchitecturesĪn overwhelming variety of ADCs exist on the market today, with differing resolutions, bandwidths, accuracies, architectures, packaging, power requirements, and temperature ranges, as well as hosts of specifications, covering a broad range of performance needs. Nevertheless, such generalizations are useful for the system designer to keep in mind when conducting a high level overview of a proposed system's requirements. As one might expect in a survey of this kind, these descriptions are not comprehensive and variations within each of the architecture families make generalizations less than fully accurate.

Sources of more-detailed information on converter architectures can be found in the References and will be made readily accessible by direct links at appropriate points. Though not detailed or exhaustive, this overview is intended to raise issues that should be understood when considering converters of different architectures. The descriptions are augmented by three examples that illustrate tradeoffs and issues associated with architectural considerations. We describe here four major circuit architectures used in A/D converter (ADC) design and outline the role they play in converter choice for various kinds of applications. How important are the differences between sigma-delta and successive-approximation architectures in choosing an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter? They can often be an important factor in initiating the selection of a converter for a specific application.

Analog-to-Digital Converter Architectures and Choices for System Design

Type of analog to digital converter