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ADC and DAC Performance Metrics and Topologies

Author : Adrian September 15, 2025

Overview

This brief presentation summarizes ADCs and DACs, covering their performance metrics, common topologies, performance trends, and limiting factors.

Performance metrics

Static and dynamic performance metrics are described, including differential nonlinearity (DNL), integral nonlinearity (INL), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR), spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and harmonic distortion (HD).

Topologies

Different ADC and DAC architectures are discussed, including Flash, successive-approximation register (SAR), pipelining, and time-interleaved designs.

Performance trends and limitations

Factors affecting ADC and DAC performance are examined, such as dynamic range, speed, resolution, energy consumption, and clock jitter.

Power and performance trade-offs

Relationships between power consumption and conversion rate and resolution (as measured by SNDR) are analyzed, and energy trends across different design approaches are discussed.