1. What is the resolution of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) ?

It is the comparison between the actual output of the converter and its expected output

It is the deviation between the ideal straight-line output and the actual output of the converter

It is the smallest analog output change that can occur as a result of an increment in the digital input

It is its ability to resolve between forward and reverse steps when sequenced over its entire range

Answer: It is the smallest analog output change that can occur as a result of an increment in the digital input

Explanation:


2. The difference between analog voltage represented by two adjacent digital codes, or the analog step size, is the: ?

quantization

accuracy

resolution

monotonicity

Answer: resolution

Explanation:


3. The primary disadvantage of the flash analog-to digital converter (ADC) is that: ?

it requires the input voltage to be applied to the inputs simultaneously

a long conversion time is required

a large number of output lines is required to simultaneously decode the input voltage

a large number of comparators is required to represent a reasonable sized binary number

Answer: a large number of comparators is required to represent a reasonable sized binary number

Explanation:


4. In a flash analog-to-digital converter, the output of each comparator is connected to an input of a: ?

decoder

priority encoder

multiplexer

demultiplexer

Answer: priority encoder

Explanation:


5. What is the disadvantage to using a counter-ramp type ADC ?

complex circuit

high cost

very slow

none

Answer: very slow

Explanation:


6. The number of comparators in a parallel conversion type 8-bit analog to digital converter is ?

8

16

255

256

Answer: 255

Explanation:


7. A simultaneous A/D converter is also known as a(n) ________ A/D converter ?

flash

synchronous

comparator

asynchronous

Answer: flash

Explanation:


8. The main advantage of the successive-approximation A/D converter over the counter ramp A/D converter is its: ?

more complex circuitry

less complex circuitry

longer conversion time

shorter conversion time

Answer: shorter conversion time

Explanation:


9. Sample-and-hold circuits in analog-to digital converters (ADCs) are designed to: ?

sample and hold the output of the binary counter during the conversion process

stabilize the comparator's threshold voltage during the conversion process

stabilize the input analog signal during the conversion process

sample and hold the D/A converter staircase waveform during the conversion process

Answer: stabilize the input analog signal during the conversion process

Explanation:


10. What is the major advantage of the R/2R ladder digital-to-analog (DAC), as compared to a binary-weighted digital-to-analog DAC converter ?

It only uses two different resistor values

It has fewer parts for the same number of inputs

Its operation is much easier to analyze

The virtual ground is eliminated and the circuit is therefore easier to understand and troubleshoot

Answer: It only uses two different resistor values

Explanation: