My first step in this project was learning how to convert an analog signal into a digital one. Eventually I used the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) on my FPGA, but first I wanted to build my own to understand how ADCs work.

My ADC was mainly comprised of a series of comparators going into an encoder. For testing, I used LEDs to represent the digital output of the circuit – off meant zero, on meant one. In the image on the right, you can see my three bit ADC.

At Virginia Tech, I have learned about Analog/Digital conversion in my Digital Systems and Embedded Systems classes. It’s interesting to learn all the details of these useful circuits, and my foundation of knowledge helps me fully understand how these systems work.