Editing Analog-to-digital converter (section)

==Applications==

===Music recording===
Analog-to-digital converters are integral to modern music reproduction technology and [[digital audio workstation]]-based [[sound recording]].  Music may be produced on computers using an analog recording and therefore analog-to-digital converters are needed to create the [[pulse-code modulation]] (PCM) data streams that go onto [[compact disc]]s and digital music files. The current crop of analog-to-digital converters utilized in music can sample at rates up to 192 [[kilohertz]]. Many recording studios record in 24-bit 96&nbsp;kHz pulse-code modulation (PCM) format and then [[downsample]] and dither the signal for [[Compact Disc Digital Audio]] production (44.1&nbsp;kHz) or to 48&nbsp;kHz for radio and television broadcast applications.

===Digital signal processing===
ADCs are required in [[digital signal processing]] systems that process, store, or transport virtually any analog signal in digital form. [[TV tuner card]]s, for example, use fast video analog-to-digital converters. Slow on-chip 8-, 10-, 12-, or 16-bit analog-to-digital converters are common in [[microcontroller]]s. [[Digital storage oscilloscope]]s need very fast analog-to-digital converters, also crucial for [[software-defined radio]] and their new applications.

===Scientific instruments===
[[Digital imaging]] systems commonly use analog-to-digital converters  for digitizing [[pixel]]s. Some [[radar]] systems use analog-to-digital converters to convert [[signal strength]] to digital values for subsequent [[signal processing]]. Many other in situ and [[remote sensing]] systems commonly use analogous technology.

Many [[sensor]]s in scientific instruments produce an analog signal; [[temperature]], [[pressure]], [[pH]], [[Candela|light intensity]] etc. All these signals can be amplified and fed to an ADC to produce a digital representation.

===Displays===
[[Flat-panel display]]s are inherently digital and need an ADC to process an analog signal such as [[Composite video|composite]] or [[VGA]].