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analog-to-digital converter

analog-to-digital converter

4.7
A device that changes real signals like sound into digital numbers a computer can use
  • noun
  • /ˈænəˌlɔɡ tə ˈdɪdʒɪtəl kənˈvɜrtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : convertidor analógico a digital
  • The two processed signals are sampled via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and the control strategies are implemented in software on an IBM PC/AT microcomputer.
  • ADC: Analog-to-Digital Converter

So the next operation turns the number read by the analog to digital converter into the actual voltage.

Examples

  • The sound from the microphone is sent to the analog-to-digital converter, which transforms the sound waves into a digital signal for recording.

  • The actual angles of each joint are measured by potentiometers, and the corresponding values are transferred via an analog-to-digital converter into the real-time system.

    Academic text (2000)
  • So the next operation turns the number read by the analog to digital converter into the actual voltage.

  • Bass can be recorded many ways, but since I was using the antique machine, I recorded "direct," which means that I didn't use an amplifier; I just sent my signal through the analog-to-digital converter and into the software.

    Blog text (30)
  • The emitted light is detected by a photomultiplier tube and digitized with an 8- or 16-bit analog-to-digital converter.

    Academic text (1995)
  • This dial was connected to a potentiometer, which was, in turn, connected to an analog-to-digital converter that sent voltage fluctuation data (via USB) to a computer.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The amplified electrical signals from the strain gauges and potentiometer were collected with an analog-to-digital converter and acquisition software (Peak Performance Technologies, Colorado Springs, CO).

    Academic text (2001)
  • The controller's 24-bit analog-to-digital converter and low-noise circuit design combine to give temperature readings with resolutions as low as 0.1 mK at 4.2 K.

    Academic text (1996)
  • To capture high-quality audio, we use an analog-to-digital converter that precisely converts the analog signals from the instruments into digital format.

  • During the experiment, the analog-to-digital converter allowed us to analyze the voltage levels in a digital format, making the data easier to interpret.

Synonyms

digitizer
vsanalog-to-digital converter
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A device that changes touch or electrical signals into digital data for computers

is the general device for converting analogue signals to digital
analog-digital converter
vsanalog-to-digital converter
  • Specialized
5.4

A device that changes electrical signals into digital numbers for computers

is the same meaning but written with 'to' instead of a hyphen
data converter
vsanalog-to-digital converter
  • Specialized
5.1

A device or program that changes information from one format to another, like turning sound into digital data

focuses specifically on converting analogue signals into digital signals

How Accurate

digital-analog converter
  • Specialized
4.8
analog-to-digital converter
  • Specialized
4.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

analog-to-digital + converter

The compound clearly names a device that converts analogue signals into digital ones: 'analog-to-digital' specifies the direction of conversion and 'converter' denotes a device that performs that conversion. Although technical, the meaning follows a straightforward noun-compound composition (device + function) that a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily infer.

Etymology

Analog-to-digital converter describes what the device does: it changes a smooth, changing sound or signal, the analog, into numbers, the digital form. Imagine drawing a wave and then marking it with dots to save its shape as numbers, so the device 'converts analog signals into digital form'.