Sample-and-Hold AmplifiersA sample-and-hold amplifier (SHA) is a type of electronic circuit that is used to sample an input signal and hold its value for a certain period of time. SHAs are commonly used in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to sample an analog input signal and hold it at a constant level while it is being digitized. SHAs are also used in other applications where it is necessary to hold an input signal at a constant level for a certain period of time, such as in pulse code modulation (PCM) systems and pulse width modulation (PWM) systems.
A typical SHA consists of two main components: a sample circuit and a hold circuit. The sample circuit is used to sample the input signal and pass it to the hold circuit, which is used to hold the sampled value for a certain period of time. The sample and hold circuits are typically controlled by a clock signal, which determines the sampling rate and the hold time. The performance of an SHA is typically characterized by its sampling rate, hold time, and input-referred noise.