Spurious-free dynamic range

Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) is a measure used to specify analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters (ADCs and DACs, respectively).

SFDR is defined as the ratio of the RMS value of the carrier frequency (maximum signal component) at the input of the ADC or DAC to the RMS value of the next largest noise or harmonic distortion component (which is referred to as a “spurious” or a “spur”) at its output. SFDR is usually measured in dBc (i.e. with respect to the carrier frequency amplitude) or in dBFS (i.e. with respect to the ADC's full-scale range). Depending on the test condition, SFDR is observed within a pre-defined frequency window or from DC up to Nyquist frequency of the converter (ADC or DAC).

See also

• Analog-to-digital converter
• Digital-to-analog converter
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
• SINAD (SIgnal-to-Noise-And-Distortion)