Flash Converters Work Better with Track/Holds

There Is Less Distortion of High-Frequency Signals Conversion; Is Performed with Better Linearity and Few (If Any) Missed Codes

High-speed analog-to-digital "flash" converters (ADCs) are coming into widespread use. Although they provide the promise of "instantaneuos" conversion, and their latching systems would appear to make track-holds unnecessary, it has long been our opinion that they would perform closer to their full dynamic potential when used with fast track-holds. Read full article

Authors

Jerry Neal

Jim Surber

Jim became editor of Analog Dialogue in May of 2015, when the preceding editor, Scott Wayne, decided to retire. Jim has been with Analog Devices for 40+ years, starting with a company called Computer Labs, a maker of high-speed data converters, which was acquired by ADI in 1978. Jim retired May 2017. Jim has worked in production test, applications engineering, product line marketing, and most recently, marketing communications. He enjoys writing and has published several technical articles in various magazines down through the years. Residing in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jim enjoys spending time with his family on frequent outings in the mountains of Virginia.