Question

The most critical factor to consider when selecting an Analog-to-Digital Converter (A/D) for a high-precision measurement system is:

• A. Conversion speed
• B. Power consumption
• C. Resolution
• D. Size

Hint:

In precision systems, more bits = better resolution = more accurate measurements.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In a high-precision measurement system, the most important specification for an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is its resolution. Resolution refers to the number of discrete digital levels that the ADC can output and is usually defined by the number of bits (e.g., 12-bit, 16-bit, etc.).
Higher resolution means:

• Finer granularity in measuring analog signals,
• Greater ability to detect small changes in the input signal,
• Reduced quantization error.

Why the other options are less critical in this context:

• (A) Conversion speed matters in high-speed systems but not as much in precision-focused systems.
• (B) Power consumption is important in portable devices, but precision systems prioritize accuracy.
• (D) Physical size is rarely a limiting factor in precision applications.

Hence, resolution is paramount when high measurement accuracy is required.