Exam-style question
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Describe the principles of operation of an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC), including why an ADC is needed when using an analogue sensor.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- An ADC receives a continuously varying analogue signal from a device such as an analogue sensor.
- It takes measurements of the signal and converts the measured values into a digital representation, such as binary data.
- The computer can then process and store this digital data.
- The ADC is needed because the computer works with digital data, while the sensor produces an analogue signal.
Explanation
Why this works
A strong answer identifies the analogue input, the conversion into digital values, and the reason for the conversion: allowing a computer to process the sensor's output.
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