The technology that converts analog signals into digital form for processing is known as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This device samples the analog signal at specific intervals and quantizes the values to represent them digitally. By transforming continuous signals into discrete data, ADCs enable digital systems to process and analyze real-world information, which is crucial for applications like audio recording, video transmission, and telecommunications. The accuracy and resolution of the analog-to-digital conversion significantly influence the quality and fidelity of the resulting digital data, underscoring the importance of this technology.