Taxonomic problems on ADC characterisation

In this paper the authors emphasise the need for the development of a new standard with parameter definition and measurement methods for ADC characterisation. This new standard should establish a complete taxonomy. Experimental and numerical simulation results of ADC dynamic characterisation are presented. They show that different values of the integral nonlinearity vector are obtained for the same converter by using different definitions currently in use for this parameter. Regarding the effective number of bits, different results obtained by using the histogram and FFT methods are presented. In both cases results as a function of the frequency show that the domain of validity of the parameters must be specified.