On Semiconductor Data Acquisition ADCs/DACs - Specialised
hardware
Data Acquisition Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) and Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) are specialized hardware used to collect, store and process analog signals. They are used in a variety of applications, ranging from scientific research to audio recording and playback. In a data acquisition system, ADCs and DACs help to convert a real-world analog signal into a digital representation that can be processed, manipulated, or stored. An ADC measures an electrical or physical quantity (such as voltage or temperature) and converts it into a digital representation. Conversely, a DAC takes a digital input and converts it into an analog signal. Specialized ADCs and DACs are often used when dealing with non-standard or non-linear signals.