how does an ADC work???

[rsrinivas]

how does adc work

hi guys
wat's the output data format of an adc.
like signed unsigned 2's complement etc
wat's the output for an impulse
say i have 16 bit ADC.
how is the impulse represented.
an impulse is to be represented by a max value and if 16 bit adc then it should be 7fff right.pls do correct if i am wrong.
it would be great if anyone gives a bitwise(hex or bin) representation and reasoning.

 

[banjo]

how does an adc work

Hi,

First, there is no set format for the output of an ADC. It is up to the implementation or the IC designer to specify this. Moreover, many chips support one or more output types just by changing a config pin.
Second, the impulse function would most likely produce an ADC output that matches the output when zero volts is applied. The ADC works by sampling the analog waveform and then digitizing this captured sample. Typically this is done with a sample and hold circuit. The impulse function is too narrow a pulse, by definition, to ever get captured in the sample and hold circuit. Another way to look at it is that the frequency components of the impulse function are always outside of the conversion abilities of the ADC.
For more info look at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog-to-digital_converter
or go to Analog Devices, Linear Technology, or Maxim websites and look at the datasheets for their chips.