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Characteristics of ADC and DAC

Short answer

ADC characteristics: resolution, full‑scale range, conversion time, quantisation error (±½ LSB), offset/gain errors, INL, DNL, input type, aperture jitter. DAC characteristics: resolution, full‑scale output, settling time, offset/gain errors, INL, DNL (monotonicity), glitch energy, and output type.

What are the characteristics of ADC and DAC?

Characteristics of ADC

  1. Resolution: n bits give 2^n codes; LSB = FSR / 2^n. For example 8 bits and 5 V: 19.5 mV.
  2. Full scale range (FSR) and reference voltage.
  3. Conversion time: time from start of conversion to valid output; sets maximum sampling rate.
  4. Quantisation error: +/-1/2 LSB.
  5. Accuracy and linearity: offset, gain, INL, DNL; missing codes.
  6. Input type: unipolar or bipolar, input impedance, number of channels.
  7. Output: binary, offset binary, BCD; latched, tri-state; control signals SOC, EOC, OE.
  8. Aperture time and jitter, SNR, ENOB.

Characteristics of DAC

  1. Resolution: smallest output step = FSR / (2^n - 1).
  2. Full-scale output and reference voltage; unipolar/bipolar.
  3. Settling time: time for the output to settle within 1/2 LSB after a code change.
  4. Accuracy, gain error, offset error and temperature coefficient.
  5. Linearity (INL), differential nonlinearity (DNL) and monotonicity.
  6. Glitch energy and slew rate.
  7. Input: parallel/serial digital word, input latches, logic compatibility.
  8. Output: voltage or current, output impedance.
  9. Power supply rejection ratio, power consumption.

Example: a 10-bit DAC with 5 V reference has a resolution of 5 / 1023 = 4.89 mV per step.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5

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