Lexicon D/A-Converter

A digital-to-analog converter converts a digital Data stream into an analog signal, and is thus the counterpart of an A/D converter. In practice, there are a number of different methods, depending on the intended use:

1. Direct method (parallel method)
2. counting method (pulse width modulation)
3. Iteration method (weighing method)
4. Delta-sigma converter

These methods are sometimes combined to achieve a certain compromise of conversion speed, accuracy and linearity.

D/A converters for audio or video signals are now offered as ready-made chips, which has greatly simplified the manufacture of such devices. As a rule, the D/A converter is built into a device as a component. However, there are also D/A converters as independent devices, with their own housing, their own power supply, and a selection of interfaces for the data input (for audio e.g. S/P-DIF).

See also:

• [Wikipedia article]