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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hame-adc-8-bit-levels

How many different input levels can an 8-bit analog-to-digital converter encode?

256 levels, because 2 to the 8th power is 256.

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  1. 8
  2. 256 ✔
  3. 256 divided by the amplifier gain

Why: Each added bit doubles the number of levels. Eight bits give 2 multiplied by itself eight times, which is 256.

Huh, didn't know that: Dither is a small amount of noise added to an ADC input to reduce quantization noise (E8A04).

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References

Answer: 256. Each added bit doubles the number of levels. Eight bits give 2 multiplied by itself eight times, which is 256.

  1. NCVEC 2024-2028 Amateur Extra Question Pool, E8A09 (4th errata, Feb. 4, 2026) www.ncvec.org/downloads/2024-2028%20Extra%20Class%20Question%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20with%204th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    D. 256
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. NCVEC 2024-2028 Amateur Extra Question Pool, E8A04 (4th errata, Feb. 4, 2026) www.ncvec.org/downloads/2024-2028%20Extra%20Class%20Question%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20with%204th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    B. A small amount of noise added to the input signal to reduce quantization noise
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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