The Designer's Guide Community Forum

The Designer's Guide Community Forum
https://designers-guide.org/forum/YaBB.pl
Measurements >> Other Measurements >> Data Converter measurement question
https://designers-guide.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1191393219

Message started by Monkeybad on Oct 2^nd, 2007, 11:33pm

Title: Data Converter measurement question
Post by Monkeybad on Oct 2^nd, 2007, 11:33pm

When we want to measure an ADC, we need to generate a more high SNR sine wave and read the digital output code to do the FFT.
The sine wave can be generated from a device called "AWG" (any wave generate). I guess it is generated from a both more high speed and resolution DAC. Because we can generate an exactly digital code sine wave and convert it with a DAC to analog sine wave.
But to measure this high speed and resolution DAC, we need more high spec ADC to sample the output analog sine wave.
So, the situation comes like:
ADC=>more high spec DAC=>more high spec ADC=>more high spec DAC=>.......
My question is, what is the original data converter at beginning?
A very fast high resolution ADC or DAC? How to measure it?

Title: Re: Data Converter measurement question
Post by Stefan on Oct 3^rd, 2007, 2:56am

Why do you insist on using an DAC for the sine wave generator ? There are ways to generate an analog sine wave which is not limited to DAC resolution.This makes it easy to generate an ideal sine wave to specify your ADC. (same for DAC)

Title: Re: Data Converter measurement question
Post by Monkeybad on Oct 3^rd, 2007, 3:58am

Thanks! Stefan
It's just my guess. I think there are some convenient to use a DAC generated sine wave. For example; we can easily control the amplitude or frequency by changing the input digital code. Maybe use analog sine wave generating circuit can also do this.
But when we want to verify a DAC, we still need a same or more high spec ADC to sample it, isn't it?
Does it means that the speed and resolution of Data Converter is restricted to ADC?
Or there exist other way without using a ADC to test a DAC?