Nemo, Czriss Paulimer C.

November 6, 2020
BSECE 3A
1) What is data conversion? Name two basic types.
- Data Conversion is defined as the process of translating data into either digital or analog
form. Analog-to-Digital Conversion and Digital-to-Analog Conversion are the two basic types of
the aforementioned process. A/D Conversion is known as the process of sampling the given
analog signal and then converting them to binary numbers and then assigning these binary
numbers to the nearest possible increment voltage range available. D/A Conversion is simply the
process of reverting the digital signal to its analog form.
2) What is the name given to the process of measuring the value of an analog signal at some
point in time?
- A/D Conversion
3) What is the name given to the process of assigning a specific binary number to an
instantaneous value on an analog signal?
- D/A Conversion
4) What is another name commonly used for A/D conversion?
- Encoding
5) Describe the nature of the signals and information obtained when an analog signal is
converted to digital form.
- The resulting digital form of an analog signal is comprised of an approximation of each
of the analog signal’s sampled values. As seen in the figure below, the digital output resembles a
“staircase”. Each step of the signal is an approximation of a particular point of the input analog
signal. Hence, the digital signal does not actually contain all instantaneous values of the analog
signal but only certain voltage ranges in discrete increments that serve as an approximation for a
set of instantaneous values.
6) Describe the nature of the output waveform obtained from a D/A converter.
- On the contrary, the output waveform from a D/A converter is an analog signal that is
derived from the input digital signal. Since the input signal is comprised of binary data that
represents voltage levels in discrete increments, Hence, the output is a stair step voltage that
serves as an approximation for the analog signal’s waveform.
7) Name the four major components in a D/A converter.
- The four major components in a D/A Converter are the Reference Regulators, Resistor
Networks, Output Amplifiers and Electronic Switches.
8) Define aliasing and explain its effect in an A/D converter.
- Aliasing is a form of distortion that takes place when the sampling rate is too low. As a
result, all frequencies of the translated signal will be translated downward. Mathematically, it is
defined as f s−f m. If such distortion took place in the A/D converter, then a new signal will be
formed alongside the supposed signal. Hence, the output will be the aliased signal f s−f m rather
than the original signal f m.
9) What types of circuits are commonly used to translate the current output from a D/A
converter to a voltage output?
- Operational Amplifier Circuits
10) Name three types of A/D converters, and state which is the most widely used.
- Some types of A/D Converters are the Successive-Approximations Converters,
Pipelined Converters and Flash Converters. Sigma-Delta Converters are the most widely used
due to their high resolution and antialiasing characteristics.
11) What A/D converter circuit sequentially turns the bits of the output on one at a time in
sequence from MSB to LSB in seeking a voltage level equal to the input voltage level?
- Successive-Approximation Converter
12) What is the fastest type of A/D converter? Briefly describe the method of conversion
used.
- Flash Converters are the fastest type of A/D Converter. A flash converter is composed
of a resistive voltage divider with each tap connected to an analog comparator, and an encoder
logic circuit that converts the resulting number of bits from these comparators to a certain
number of desired bits, e.g. from 7 bits to 3 bits. The process starts in the resistive voltage
divider whereon the dc reference voltage is being divided into discrete increments. This is being
fed to the positive end of the comparator. On the other hand, the negative input of the comparator
receives the analog input. If the value of the input analog signal in a comparator is equal to or
greater than the reference voltage, then the output of this comparator is 1, otherwise a 0. These
resulting bits will then be fed to an encoder circuit that is responsible for converting the 7-bit
output into a 3-bit.
13) Define oversampling and undersampling.
- Oversampling is defined as sampling the given analog signal to the highest frequency
possible. Because of this, the signal’s content is preserved due to the fact that it produces
adequate amounts of samples thus, reducing the quantization noise and improving the signal-to-
noise ratio. Even though it is advantageous due to its content preservation, it is still quite costly
since it requires more complex circuitry and larger memory for fast processing and storing of
large amounts of data. Undersampling is sampling the analog signal in lesser rates compared to
the required Nyquist frequency. Despite producing aliased signals, it is still used in processes
such as mixing or downconverting.
14) What circuit is normally used to perform serial-to parallel and parallel-to-serial data
conversion? What is the abbreviation for this process?
- Codec or Vocoder. The abbreviation for this process is DSP.
15) What circuit performs the sampling operation prior to A/D conversion, and why is it so
important?
- Sample-and-hold (S/H) Circuit. Its importance is stressed in higher-frequency signal
applications wherein the voltage of the analog signal varies. This difference in voltage inputs
causes an aperture error. With the S/H circuit temporarily storing the input voltage in a capacitor
until it reaches a certain amount, the A/D Converter is being provided with constant voltage.
16) Where are sigma-delta converters used? Why?
- Sigma-delta converters are usually used in digital audio applications and in industrial
and geophysical applications that uses low-speed sensor data. Due to the fact that it uses
oversampling for lower noise and a wider dynamic range, it provides high resolution and an
antialiasing factor which are important factors for audio applications.
17) Undersampling produces an aliasing effect that is equivalent to what analog signal
process?
- Downconversion
18) What is the name given to the process of compressing the dynamic range of an analog
signal at the transmitter and expanding it later at the receiver?
- Companding
19) What is the general mathematical shape of a companding curve?
- Logarithmic
20) Name the three basic types of pulse modulation. Which type is not binary?
- Pulse Amplitude Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation and Pulse Position Modulation.
Pulse Amplitude Modulation is not binary.
21) Name the DAC that produces a voltage output.
- String DAC
22) What type of DAC is used for very high-speed conversions?
- Weighted Current Source DAC
23) True or false? ADC outputs or DAC inputs may be either parallel or serial.
- True
24) What type of ADC is faster than a successive-approximations converter but slower than
a flash converter?
- Pipelined Converters
25) Which type of ADC gives the best resolution?
- Sigma-Delta Converters
26) Why are capacitor D/A converters preferred over R-2R D/A converters?
- When complexity arises, a larger range of resistor values are required in R-2R D/A
converters thus, making it difficult to make in precise values in IC form. D/A Converters that
make use of capacitive networks are also known to be more relatively high accurate operations,
take up lesser space and easier to make in comparison with these R-2R D/A converters. Larger
resistor networks also consume large amounts of power while capacitors only require low
amounts of current.