Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)

Abstract

This chapter shows how you can read and generate analog signals. Digital systems can generate or read analog signals with the aid of two building blocks: digital-to-analog converter and analog-to-digital converter. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC, D/A, or D-to-A) is a system that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. Arduino UNO doesn't have an onboard DAC. If your project requires a DAC, you need to add it externally. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC, A/D, or A-to-D) is a system that converts an analog signal, such as a sound picked up by a microphone or light entering a digital camera, into a igital signal. The microcontrollers used in Arduino boards have an onboard ADC. Therefore, there is no need to add an external ADC to the board. This chapter studies these blocks.