: > > | In my hypothetical device the input of a signal that has a frequency : > > | of A Hz and a peak-to-peak amplitude of B volts will result in the : > > | output of a signal that has a frequency of B Hz and a peak-to-peak : > > | amplitude of A x [1.602 × 10^-19 volts].
That sounds crazy, but...
: > > Even if the charge is quantified, a potential difference is not.
Current is not quantized, only its time integral i.e. charge is. Analogously voltage is not quantized but its time integral i.e. magnetic flux is. The size of this quantum is about 2.068E-15 volt-seconds and it is called a 'fluxon' or 'flux quantum'. Devices which convert frequency into an accurate voltage by utilizing the fact that this conversion factor is a natural constant, are standard equipment in metrology labs, and they are called 'Josephson voltage standards'. They effectively count flux quanta.
Analogous devices which convert frequency into an accurate current are in a developemental phase and are called 'electron pumps' or 'electron turnstiles'. The effectively count electrons.
In the forefont of nowadays physics there are attempts underway to verify whether the natural constants involved are indeed constants - these are called 'quantum triangle' experiments.
I couldn't follow the A/D conversion and signal processing argumentation, but A/D converters which are based on flux quanta counting exist. They are called RSFQ A/D converters.
Regards, Mikko