An analog control loop output must be processed through what before the computer can react to the signal?

In an analog control loop, the output generated is represented by continuous signals, typically in the form of voltage or current levels. For a computer, which operates on discrete values—often binary—this analog signal needs to be converted into a format that the computer can understand and process.

A digital converter, specifically an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), is employed for this purpose. The ADC takes the continuous analog signal and samples it at regular intervals, converting it into a digital signal that represents the same information. Once converted, this digital data can be processed by the computer, enabling it to make decisions based on the analog inputs from the control loop.

This process is essential for the integration of analog systems with digital computing environments, particularly in applications like automatic control systems, where real-time feedback is crucial.