Integral nonlinearity

Integral nonlinearity (acronym INL) is a commonly used measure of performance in digital-to-analog (DAC) and analog-to-digital (ADC) converters. In DACs, it is a measure of the deviation between the ideal output value and the actual measured output value for a certain input code. In ADCs, it is the deviation between the ideal input threshold value and the measured threshold level of a certain output code. This measurement is performed after offset and gain errors have been compensated.[1]

The ideal transfer function of a DAC or ADC is a straight line. The INL measurement depends on what line is chosen as ideal. One common option is the line that connects the endpoints of the transfer function, in other words, the line connecting the smallest and largest measured input/output value. An alternative is to use a best fit line, where one minimizes the average (or alternatively the mean squared) INL.

While the INL can be measured for every possible input/output code, often only the maximal error is provided when reporting the INL of a converter.[2]

Formula

For the line through the endpoints, the INL of a DAC is

where

is the slope of the line through the end points, and

is the output voltage at code c. This assumes that the minimum code is 0. This INL is measured in volts; one can divide it by the ideal LSB voltage to get the measurement in LSBs..

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sansen, Willy Analog Design Essentials (2006), Springer. Page 605. ISBN 978-0-387-25746-4
  2. ↑ Johns, David A. and Martin, Ken. Analog Integrated Circuit Design (1997), Wiley. Page 456. ISBN 0-471-14448-7


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