In an ADC, what is quantization error?

Prepare for your Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Interview. Challenge yourself with flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ready for your success!

Multiple Choice

In an ADC, what is quantization error?

Explanation:
When an analog signal is converted to digital, you can only represent values at a finite set of levels. The mismatch between the exact input value and the discrete level chosen by the converter is called quantization error. In a uniform quantizer with step size Δ, any input within a given interval is rounded to the nearest level, so the error never exceeds ±Δ/2. This error is often treated as a small, bounded noise term that arises from the finite resolution of the converter, not from amplification, thermal noise, or nonlinear distortion.

When an analog signal is converted to digital, you can only represent values at a finite set of levels. The mismatch between the exact input value and the discrete level chosen by the converter is called quantization error. In a uniform quantizer with step size Δ, any input within a given interval is rounded to the nearest level, so the error never exceeds ±Δ/2. This error is often treated as a small, bounded noise term that arises from the finite resolution of the converter, not from amplification, thermal noise, or nonlinear distortion.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy