The GATE Grind

GATE 2026 IN – Question 23

Digital Electronics · ADC and DAC · 1 mark · Multiple choice

The maximum signal to quantization noise ratio (SQNR) for a 16-bit analog-to- digital converter is approximately _________ dB.

  1. 48
  2. 68
  3. 88
  4. 98

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Correct answer: (D) 98

Explanation

For an ideal uniform ADC with a full-scale sinusoidal input, $\mathrm{SQNR}\approx6.02N+1.76\ \mathrm{dB}$.

With $N=16$, $\mathrm{SQNR}\approx6.02(16)+1.76=98.08\ \mathrm{dB}$. The nearest choice is **98 dB (D)**. The formula assumes quantization noise dominates and the input does not clip.