Calculating SFDR and THD from ADC Digital Output

This article demonstrates how to compute signal parameters such as Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) from ADC digital outputs. To implement this, one typically applies Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis on the sampled data to identify fundamental frequency components and harmonic distortions. Through calculation of the Effective Number of Bits (ENOB), we gain valuable insights into signal accuracy and quality metrics. The process involves spectral analysis techniques where harmonic components are extracted using peak detection algorithms in the frequency domain. For researchers in digital signal processing and communication systems, these parameters serve as critical performance indicators for evaluating ADC characteristics and system fidelity. Code implementation would typically involve MATLAB or Python scripts performing FFT analysis, harmonic identification through frequency bin searching, and SNR calculations using power spectrum ratios.