Datasheet
The ADC generates a 10-bit result which is presented in the ADC Data Registers, ADCH and ADCL. By
default, the result is presented right adjusted, but can optionally be presented left adjusted by setting the
ADLAR bit in ADMUX.
If the result is left adjusted and no more than 8-bit precision is required, it is sufficient to read ADCH.
Otherwise, ADCL must be read first, then ADCH, to ensure that the content of the Data Registers belongs
to the same conversion. Once ADCL is read, ADC access to Data Registers is blocked. This means that if
ADCL has been read, and a conversion completes before ADCH is read, neither register is updated and
the result from the conversion is lost. When ADCH is read, ADC access to the ADCH and ADCL
Registers is re-enabled.
The ADC has its own interrupt which can be triggered when a conversion completes. When ADC access
to the Data Registers is prohibited between reading of ADCH and ADCL, the interrupt will trigger even if
the result is lost.
27.3 Starting a Conversion
A single conversion is started by writing a logical one to the ADC Start Conversion bit, ADSC. This bit
stays high as long as the conversion is in progress and will be cleared by hardware when the conversion
is completed. If a different data channel is selected while a conversion is in progress, the ADC will finish
the current conversion before performing the channel change.
In Free Running mode, the ADC is constantly sampling and updating the ADC Data Register. Free
Running mode is selected by writing the ADFR bit in ADCSRA to one. The first conversion must be
started by writing a logical one to the ADSC bit in ADCSRA. In this mode the ADC will perform successive
conversions independently of whether the ADC Interrupt Flag, ADIF is cleared or not.
27.4 Prescaling and Conversion Timing
Figure 27-2. ADC Prescaler
7-BIT ADC PRESCALER
ADC CLOCK SOURCE
CK
ADPS0
ADPS1
ADPS2
CK/128
CK/2
CK/4
CK/8
CK/16
CK/32
CK/64
Reset
ADEN
START
By default, the successive approximation circuitry requires an input clock frequency between 50kHz and
200kHz to get maximum resolution. If a lower resolution than 10 bits is needed, the input clock frequency
to the ADC can be higher than 200kHz to get a higher sample rate.
The ADC module contains a prescaler, which generates an acceptable ADC clock frequency from any
CPU frequency above 100kHz. The prescaling is set by the ADPS bits in ADCSRA. The prescaler starts
counting from the moment the ADC is switched on by setting the ADEN bit in ADCSRA. The prescaler
keeps running for as long as the ADEN bit is set, and is continuously reset when ADEN is low.
When initiating a single ended conversion by setting the ADSC bit in ADCSRA, the conversion starts at
the following rising edge of the ADC clock cycle. A normal conversion takes 13 ADC clock cycles. The
AVR 8-Bit Microcontroller
ADC - Analog to Digital Converter
© 2017 Microchip Technology Inc.
Datasheet Complete
40001974A-page 255