Abstract: The following application note provides an insight into the mathematical definitions of quantization and thermal noise, parameters which can significantly affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-noise plus distortion (SINAD) specifications of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in RF receiver applications. It concludes by comparing their impact on the effective noise figure for a Nyquist and oversampling ADC. Maxim > App Notes > A/D and D/A CONVERSION/SAMPLING CIRCUITS BASESTATIONS / WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE HIGH-SPEED SIGNAL PROCESSING Keywords: quantization noise, thermal noise, noise figure, ADC, analog to digital converter, Nyquist ADC, Sep 09, 2002 oversampling, signal to noise ratio, SNR, signal to noise and distortion, SINAD, noise power density, RF, receiver, high speed ADCs, analog digital conver APPLICATION NOTE 1197 How Quantization and Thermal Noise Determine an ADC's Effective Noise Figure Abstract: The following application note provides an insight into the mathematical definitions of quantization and thermal noise, parameters which can significantly affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-noise plus distortion (SINAD) specifications of analog-to-digital converte……