Syntax:
For a normal ( also called a Single Channel ) read use.
byte_variable = ReadAD( ANX )
For a Differential Channel read use the following. Where ANpX is the positive port, and ANnY is the negative port.
byte_variable = ReadAD( ANpX , ANnY )
To obtain a byte value from an AD Channel use the following to force an 8 bit AD Channel to respond with a byte value [0 to 255].
byte_variable = ReadAD( ANX , TRUE )
Command Availability:
When using ReadAD ( ANx ) the returned value is an 8 bit number [0- 255]. The byte variable assigned by the function can be a byte, word, integer or long.
When using ReadAD ( ANpX , ANnY ) the returned value is an integer, as negative values can be returned.
When using ReadAD ( ANpX , TRUE ) the returned value is an integer, but you should treat as a byte.
ReadAD is a function that can be used to read the built-in analog to digital converter that many microcontroller chips include. port should be specified as AN0, AN1, AN2, etc., up to the number of analog inputs available on the chip that is in use. Those familiar with Atmel AVR microcontrollers can also refer to the ports as ADC0, ADC1, etc. Refer to the datasheet for the microcontroller chip to find the number of ports available. (Note: it’s perfectly acceptable to use ANx on AVR, or ADCx on the microcontroller)
Other functions that are similar are ReadAD10 and ReadAD12. See the relevant Help page for the specific usage of each function.
The constant AD_Delay controls is the acquisition delay. The default value is 20 us. This can be changed by adding the following constant.
#define AD_Delay 2 10us
ADSpeed controls the source of the clock for the ADC module. It varies from one chip to another. InternalClock is a Microchip PIC microcontroller only option that will drive the ADC from an internal RC oscillator. The default value is 128.
Using ADSPEED
'default value
#define ADSpeed MediumSpeed
'pre-defined constants
#define HighSpeed 255
#define MediumSpeed 128
#define LowSpeed 0AD_VREF_DELAY controls the charging time for VRef capacitor on Atmel AVR microcontrollers only. This therefore controls the charge from internal VRef. ReadAD will not be accurate for internal reference without this.
AD_Acquisition_Time_Select_bits also controls the Acquisition Time Select bits. Acquisition time is the duration that the AD charge holding capacitor remains connected to AD channel from the instant the read is commenced is set until conversions begins.
The default value of AD_Acquisition_Time_Select_bits is 0b100 or decimal 4, where all three ACQT bits will be set. To change use the following.
'change the default value
#define AD_Acquisition_Time_Select_bits 0b001 'this will only set ACQT bit 0, ACQT bits 1 and 2 will be cleared.Example 1
This example reads the ADC port and writes the output to the EEPROM.
#chip 16F819, 8
'Set the input pin direction
Dir PORTA.0 In
'Loop to take readings until the EEPROM is full
For CurrentAddress = 0 to 255
'Take a reading and log it
EPWrite CurrentAddress, ReadAD(AN0)
'Wait 10 minutes before getting another reading
Wait 10 min
NextExample 2
This example reads the ADC port and writes the output to the EEPROM. The output value will be in the range of [0-255].
#chip 16F1789, 8
'Set the input pin direction
Dir PORTA.0 In
'Loop to take readings until the EEPROM is full
For CurrentAddress = 0 to 255
'Take a reading and log it
EPWrite CurrentAddress, ReadAD(AN0, TRUE)
'Wait 10 minutes before getting another reading
Wait 10 min
NextExample 3
This example used the diffential capabilities of ADC port and writes the output to the EEPROM. The output value will be in the range of [-255 to 255].
AN0 and AN2 are used for the diffential ADC reading.
#chip 16F1789, 8
'Set the input pin direction
Dir PORTA.0 In
Dir PORTA.2 In
'Loop to take readings until the EEPROM is full
For CurrentAddress = 0 to 255
'Take a reading and log it
EPWrite CurrentAddress, ReadAD( AN0, AN2 )
'Wait 10 minutes before getting another reading
Wait 10 min
Next
