Accuracy of effective bit estimation methods

The basic assumptions of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) effective bit estimation procedures are analyzed and closed-form expressions that link accuracy to the parameters that describe the measurement conditions are derived. It is shown that the achievable accuracy mainly depends on the ratio between the number of acquired samples and the number of ADC quantization levels. Furthermore, the effect of broad-band noise superimposed to the sinewave employed as test input is analyzed. Results useful for the design of the estimation procedure itself are also provided.