AD7683

Rev. A | Page 8 of 16

TERMINOLOGY

Integral Nonlinearity Error (INL)

Linearity error refers to the deviation of each individual code

from a line drawn from negative full scale through positive

full scale. The point used as negative full scale occurs ½ LSB

before the first code transition. Positive full scale is defined as

a level 1½ LSB beyond the last code transition. The deviation

is measured from the middle of each code to the true straight

line (see Figure 21).

Differential Nonlinearity Error (DNL)

In an ideal ADC, code transitions are 1 LSB apart. DNL is the

maximum deviation from this ideal value. It is often specified in

terms of resolution for which no missing codes are guaranteed.

Offset Error

The first transition should occur at a level ½ LSB above analog

ground (38.1 μV for the 0 V to 5 V range). The offset error is

the deviation of the actual transition from that point.

Gain Error

The last transition (from 111...10 to 111...11) should occur for

an analog voltage 1½ LSB below the nominal full scale

(4.999886 V for the 0 V to 5 V range). The gain error is the

deviation of the actual level of the last transition from the ideal

level after the offset has been adjusted out.

Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR)

The difference, in decibels (dB), between the rms amplitude of

the input signal and the peak spurious signal.

Signal-to-(Noise + Distortion) Ratio (SINAD)

SINAD is the ratio of the rms value of the actual input signal to

the rms sum of all other spectral components below the Nyquist

frequency, including harmonics but excluding dc. The value for

SINAD is expressed in dB.

Effective Number of Bits (ENOB)

ENOB is a measurement of the resolution with a sine wave

input. It is related to SINAD (as represented by S/(N+D)) by

the following formula and is expressed in bits:

[

]

(

.

6

/

76

.

1

/

−

+

=

dB

D

N

S

ENOB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

THD is the ratio of the rms sum of the first five harmonic

components to the rms value of a full-scale input signal and is

expressed in dB.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)

SNR is the ratio of the rms value of the actual input signal to

the rms sum of all other spectral components below the Nyquist

frequency, excluding harmonics and dc. The value for SNR is

expressed in dB.

Aperture Delay

Aperture delay is a measure of the acquisition performance and

is the time between the falling edge of the CS input and when

the input signal is held for a conversion.

Transient Response

Transient response is the time required for the ADC to

accurately acquire its input after a full-scale step function is

applied.