Counter-ramp (single-slope) ADCs: identify the key disadvantage In data-conversion systems, a counter-ramp (single-slope integrating) analog-to-digital converter counts clock pulses until the integrator output matches the input. What is the principal drawback of this ADC architecture compared with common alternatives?

Introduction / Context:
The counter-ramp (single-slope integrating) ADC converts an analog voltage by charging or discharging an integrator while a counter advances with a fixed clock. When the comparator detects equality, the count is latched as the digital result. Understanding its timing behavior reveals the main trade-off of this simple architecture.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Conversion is performed by a ramp/integrator driven by a constant current.
• Time to convert is proportional to input magnitude.
• A stable clock and reference are assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Single-slope ADC conversion time scales with the analog input and the clock period. Worst-case time occurs at or near full-scale and equals (maximum count) * (clock period). Because each conversion requires the ramp to traverse a large portion of the range, throughput is limited compared with successive-approximation (SAR) or flash ADCs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Let T_clk be the clock period and N_counts the count reached for the input.Conversion time T_conv ≈ N_counts * T_clk (worst case near full scale).To improve resolution, the clock must be faster or the ramp slower; both create practical limits.Therefore, relative to SAR (≈ constant N clocks) or flash (≈ 1–2 comparator delays), single-slope is slow.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare architectures: SAR needs about one clock per bit (fixed time), flash is nearly instantaneous but costly, dual-slope averages noise but still has long, fixed integration times. Single-slope is among the slowest because it measures time proportional to input level.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• complex circuit: Single-slope is actually simple (integrator + comparator + counter).
• high cost: Parts count is low, so cost is typically modest.
• —: Not a meaningful technical disadvantage.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing single-slope with dual-slope; dual-slope has fixed integration periods and superior noise rejection.
• Assuming slow speed is acceptable without considering required sampling rates.

Final Answer:
very slow