What does an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) do?

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) plays a crucial role in modern electronics by transforming continuous analog signals—which vary smoothly over time—into discrete digital numbers that can be processed by digital devices. This conversion is essential for digital systems, as they can only understand and manipulate binary data.

The continuous nature of analog signals, such as sound waves, temperature readings, or voltage levels, needs to be captured accurately. The ADC performs this by sampling the signal at specific intervals and quantifying each sample into a binary format (the discrete digital numbers). This process allows for the effective representation, storage, and manipulation of analog information in a digital format, making it possible for computers and digital systems to analyze and respond to real-world data.

Other choices, while they touch on important concepts in signal processing, do not accurately describe the primary function of an ADC. Amplifying signals, filtering out noise, or storing data in memory are separate processes that might be involved in different stages of signal processing but are not the fundamental role of an ADC.