Effective number of bits

The effective number of bits ( engl. effective number of bits, ENOB ) indicates how high the actual resolution of a D or D / A converter.

Today, the usual D and D / A converters operate at a fixed resolution between 8 and 24 bits. Upon detection of the analog data, and the subsequent conversion into digital data, there is carried out by the quantization noise and distortion measurement error, for example, when amplifying the signal. Thereby, the theoretical maximum resolution of a converter is reduced.

At A / D converters, the effective number of bits is calculated by a sinusoidal signal with a full level fed to the converter, and then through the deviation from the nominal, the actual resolution is computed.

Calculation in decibels:

The total interference ( SINAD ) arising out of the total harmonic distortion and signal -to-noise ratio.