Let%27s delve into the details of Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) in the context of microcontrollers (MCUs):

1. What is an ADC?:
- An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is a fundamental component in MCUs.
- It translates analog signals (voltages) from external sensors into digital data that the MCU can understand and process.
- These analog signals can represent various physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, or light intensity¹².

2. How Does an ADC Work?:
- Sampling:
- The ADC first samples the analog signal. It takes discrete measurements at specific time intervals.
- Sampling involves capturing the instantaneous value of the analog signal.
- Quantization:
- After sampling, the ADC quantifies the signal.
- It determines the resolution of the signal by dividing the voltage range into discrete levels.
- The resolution is typically expressed in bits (e.g., 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit).
- Binary Representation:
- The quantized value is then converted into a binary representation.
- The ADC assigns a binary code to each quantized level.
- These binary values represent the digital version of the original analog signal.
- System Readout:
- Finally, the ADC sends these binary values to the MCU for further processing.
- The MCU interprets the digital data to make decisions or perform tasks.

3. Sampling Rate and Resolution:
- Sampling Rate (Frequency):
- The ADC%27s sampling rate (measured in samples per second or Hz) determines how many data points it captures within a second.
- Higher sampling rates allow handling of higher-frequency signals.
- The equation for sample rate is: (f_s = frac{1}{T}), where (f_s) is the sample rate and (T) is the time between samples.
- Resolution:
- Resolution refers to the number of discrete levels the ADC can represent.
- A higher bit resolution provides finer granularity.
- For example, an 8-bit ADC can represent 256 levels, while a 12-bit ADC can represent 4096 levels.

4. Aliasing:
- Aliasing occurs when the sampling rate is too slow for the signal frequency.
- If the ADC cannot capture high-frequency components, it may reconstruct an incorrect digital signal.
- Properly choosing the sampling rate helps prevent aliasing and ensures accurate data conversion.

In summary, ADCs play a crucial role in bridging the analog and digital worlds, allowing MCUs to process real-world signals effectively¹³.


(1) Analog-To-Digital Converters: How Does An ADC Work? | Arrow.com. https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/engineering-resource-basics-of-analog-to-digital-converters.
(2) All what you%27ve always wanted to know about ADC. https://docs.nanoframework.net/content/getting-started-guides/adc-explained.html.
(3) Analog to Digital Conversion - SparkFun Learn. https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/analog-to-digital-conversion/all.

icDirectory Limited | https://www.icdirectory.com/b/blog/how-does-an-mcu-handle-analog-to-digital-conversion-adc.html