The SINAD to ENOB conversion calculator converts Signal-to-Noise and Distortion Ratio (SINAD) expressed in decibels to the Effective Number of Bits (ENOB). It is commonly used to evaluate the performance of Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs). A higher ENOB value indicates better converter accuracy, lower distortion, and improved overall signal fidelity.
Formula
ENOB = (SINAD – 1.76) / 6.02
Formula Explanation
- SINAD represents the ratio of signal power to the combined power of noise and distortion, measured in decibels (dB).
- ENOB quantifies the effective resolution of an ADC in bits, showing how many ideal bits the converter effectively provides under real conditions.
- The constants 1.76 and 6.02 are derived from the theoretical relationship between SINAD and quantization noise in ideal converters.
- A perfect 12-bit ADC typically achieves around 74 dB SINAD, which corresponds to an ENOB close to 12 bits.
Uses of this calculator
- Evaluating ADC resolution and performance.
- Comparing the quality of different analog-to-digital converters.
- Estimating the impact of noise and distortion on digital signal accuracy.
- Designing and testing high-performance data acquisition systems.
What is the ENOB for 74 dB SINAD?
Input: SINAD = 74 dB
Output:
- ENOB = (74 – 1.76) / 6.02 = 72.24 / 6.02 = 12.00 bits
- Effective Number of Bits = 12 bits