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ADC是一种用于对模拟信号进行采样并将其转换为与其幅度成比例的数字代码的设备。奈奎斯特理论指出，采样频率必须至少是模拟信号最大频率的两倍。因此，现有ADC的速度限制了数字电子设备在具有宽带宽信号的系统中的应用。有些应用需要超过几百兆赫的带宽。报道了工作在1 GHz、分辨率为6位的电光模数转换器(ADC)的探索性进展。这个比特和频率范围是有意义的，因为现有的硅和砷化镓技术还没有被证明超过这个范围。本研究的目的是开发一种工作在10 GHz、分辨率为6位的宽带电光模数转换器。

An ADC is a device which is used to sample an analog signal and converts it into a digital code proportional to its amplitude. Nyquist theory states that the sampling frequency must be at least twice the maximum frequency of the analog signal. Thus the speed of existing ADCs limit the application of digital electronics in systems that have wide bandwidth signals. There are applications which demand bandwidths that exceed several hundred megahertz. Exploratory developments of electrooptic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) capable of operating at 1 GHz with 6-bit resolution have been reported. This bit and frequency range is of interest because existing silicon and gallium arsenide technology have not been demonstrated above this range. %%% The purpose of the proposed research is to develop a wide bandwidth electrooptic ADC which operates at 10 GHz with 6-bit resolution.