AMS Interface · All levels

ADC / DAC Interfaces: Tricky Q&A

Senior interview and review questions for ADC / DAC Interfaces.

Section Q&A bank

Use these drills after completing all topics in ADC / DAC Interfaces. Answer with boundary, mode, metric, artifact, owner, and regression.

Why do directed tests miss converter validity escapes?

diagram

[INT][AMS][ADC-DAC-INTERFACES]

Q: Why do directed tests miss converter validity escapes?

A:
They often miss long-run mode transitions and calibration interactions where wrapper assumptions break.

FOLLOW-UP TRAP: Blaming analog core only.

What must a sample timing contract include?

diagram

[INT][AMS][ADC-DAC-INTERFACES]

Q: What must a sample timing contract include?

A:
Clock relation, aperture assumptions, synchronization boundaries, and acceptable drift/tolerance envelope.

FOLLOW-UP TRAP: Documenting only nominal frequency.

Q&A drill guide

diagram

BOUNDARY -> MECHANISM -> METRIC -> ARTIFACT -> FIX -> REGRESSION

Sketch while answering

diagram

CONVERTER DATA FLOW

sampling clock -> wrapper -> sync boundary -> system consumer

Key takeaways

State boundary, mode, and evidence tag with every claim.
Always align analog, digital, and physical owners before signoff decisions.

Common pitfalls

Fixing averages while tails still fail.
Skipping package/supply evidence in jitter or SerDes issues.
Shipping with waivers that lack owner and expiration criteria.

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