The capabilities of analog-to-digital converters have been discussed for a long time. Even before the moment of their invention, a discussion of their capabilities did not get to science fiction novels. Their appearance promised great prospects in electronics, up to the invention of artificial intelligence. Indeed, an analog signal is "incomprehensible" to a device such as a processor. At the same time, the digitized analog signal is “understandable” to all devices. The connecting link in this case is the analog-to-digital converter. This is a universal device that allows you to convert an analog signal into a discrete code.
The need for such devices was dictated by time itself. With the development of electronic circuits, the first digital devices appeared. They had good handling, great accuracy and good performance. They could perform many tasks that could not be solved using a conventional analog circuit. As an example, we can compare the first computer with electronic lamps, which was the size of a two-story house, and a modern laptop model.
Nevertheless, the developers of electronic circuits have not refused an analog signal so far. The fact is that most existing sensors work with it. In addition, it continues to be used in design and does an excellent job of the functions assigned to it. It is more “informative” than its digital counterpart, and devices on it
basis possess excellent performance. This is important when operating control circuits, such as electric drives.
An analog-to-digital converter is designed to enable the collaboration of these two devices.
Using it, you can convert, for example, a signal from an analog temperature or speed sensor into a binary code and use the microcontroller to control the state of the control object.
In addition to protection and control circuits, the analog-to-digital converter is successfully used in the control of electric drives of various capacities. The only limitation in this case is the speed of the assembled on its basis.
device. Well-known companies produce self-adjusting
control units that are used to ensure reliable operation of engines. For example, the
frequency converter incorporates an analog-to-digital converter, which is able to "transform" the signals from the sensors and send the received information to the processor.
A simpler example of their use can be an ordinary voltmeter, which includes a digital converter. In many cases, such devices work much more efficiently than their analog counterparts.
Instruments such as analog-to-digital converters are firmly integrated into existing electronic circuits. The development of their manufacturing technology and the emergence of new principles for signal conversion are on the path to increasing the speed of these devices.