What does an ADC (Analogue to Digital Converter) do?

An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is a device that transforms continuous analog signals into discrete digital signals. This conversion is essential in various applications where digital processing of analog inputs is required. For example, when audio signals from a microphone are captured, these signals are in analog form. The ADC converts these analog signals into a digital format that can be understood and manipulated by digital systems, such as computers or digital signal processors.

This conversion process involves sampling the analog signal at specific intervals and quantizing the sampled values into a binary format. The need for this transformation is crucial as most modern devices operate in a digital environment and require all inputs, including sound, light, and temperature, to be represented in digital form for processing, storage, or transmission.

Other choices do not accurately describe the function of an ADC. Converting digital signals to analog signals describes the functionality of a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC). Processing analog signals is a broader term that doesn’t specifically refer to the conversion process, while storing digital data pertains to storage devices and not the conversion aspect of an ADC.