Analog-to-digital converters

Some of the significant features, performance parameters, and different trends in commercially available analog-to-digital converters (ADC), are discussed. It has been found that advanced semiconductor technologies and emerging communication applications are significantly influencing the future trends in ADCs. Advancements made in the communications industry, including ultra-wideband (UWB) and software defined radios (SDRs) continue to influence emerging trends in ADCs. Sensor technologies are also emerging as a significant area where ADCs are being increasingly used. Multichannel DCs are being developed, which have the same power as single-channel ADCs, providing better performance. Multichanel ADCs are ideal solutions for diversity-based wireless applications and SDR platforms. The development of ADC technology has emerged as the key issue in enabling wideband spectrum analysis, radio-frequency digital processing, and multistandard communications.