Timing characteristics of an A/D converter

Three timing terms are important in every A/D converter.

• acquisition time: it is the time needed for the input signal to be connected to the internal capacitor of the ADC and store its voltage on the internal sampling capacitor. 

• conversion time: it is the time of the ADC to complete the digitization process through several comparisons. 

• throughput rate: it is also called sampling rate. It means the maximum frequency at which A/D converter can be repeated.