Selecting the most suitable A/D converter (ADC) for your application is based on more than just the precision or bits. Different architectures are available, each exhibiting advantages and disadvantages in various data-acquisition systems. The required accuracy or precision of the system puts you in a category based on the number of bits required. It is important to always design your system to allow for more bits than initially required: if an application calls for 10 bits of accuracy, choose a 12-bit converter. The achievable accuracy of a converter will always be less than the total number of bits available.