Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 256
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Bit depth determines the number of unique digital codes available to represent an analog quantity after quantization. More bits mean more discrete levels and generally finer resolution for a given full-scale range.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The number of distinct codes for N bits is 2^N. Each additional bit doubles the available codes. For 8 bits, this is 2^8 = 256 discrete codes, often corresponding to analog levels from code 0 to code 255 inclusive.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Check consistency: 7 bits → 128 levels; 9 bits → 512 levels. The pattern confirms the exponentiation rule.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
16, 64, 128 correspond to 4-, 6-, and 7-bit systems, respectively—not 8-bit.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing number of codes with dynamic range or SNR; while more bits usually improve resolution, system noise and nonlinearity also matter.
Final Answer:
256
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