Names and aliases of ADC architectures A simultaneous analog-to-digital converter is also commonly called a ________ ADC.

Introduction / Context:
Many ADC types have alternative names that describe their operating principle. Recognizing these aliases aids datasheet reading and system selection.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Simultaneous” indicates parallel comparisons rather than sequential approximation or integration.

Concept / Approach:
The simultaneous ADC performs many threshold comparisons at the same time using a bank of comparators and a resistor ladder. This architecture is widely known as a flash ADC.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks and vendor literature consistently equate “simultaneous” with “flash.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Synchronous/asynchronous: Describe timing relationships, not the parallel comparator structure.
• Comparator: A component used, not the architecture name.

Common Pitfalls:

• Assuming “synchronous” means “simultaneous”; synchronous refers to clocking, not parallel comparisons.

Final Answer:
flash