Microcontrollers - Chapter 06

Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology
Al-AZHAR UNIVERSITY
Microcontrollers:
Programming and Applications
(ITME 4336 )
Chapter 6
Analog to Digital Conversion
Lecturer: Dr. Eng. Mohammad Aqel
First Semester 2022/2023
Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 1

GAZA First Semester 2022/2023
• We measure natural forces and phenomena using digital
representations, but the forces and phenomena
themselves are continuous.
• Time, pressure, voltage, current, temperature, humidity,

gravitational attraction, all exist as continuous entities
which we measure in volts, pounds, hours, amperes, or
degrees.
• In this sense, natural phenomena occur in analog

quantities. Sometimes they are digitized so as to
facilitate measurements and manipulations.
• For example, a potentiometer in an electrical circuit

allows reducing the voltage level from the circuit
maximum to ground, or zero level.
• In order to measure and control the action of the
potentiometer, it is required to quantify or convert an
analog quantity that varies continuously between 0 and 5
volts, to a discrete digital value range.
• If, in this case, the voltage range of the potentiometer is

from 5 to 0 volts, we can digitize its action into a numeric
range of 0 to 500 units, or measure the angle or rotation
of the potentiometer disk in degrees from 0 to 180.
• The device that performs conversion is called an A/D or

analog- to-digital converter.
• In this chapter we explore A/D conversions in PIC

software and hardware.

A/D Converters
• In electronics, the typical A/D converter or ADC
is a device that takes a voltage input and returns
a binary digital number. The below figure is a
block diagram of an A/D converter.
• For example, the voltage levels can then be fed

into an A/D converter and the result output in
digital form.

Converter Resolution
• For example, the ADC in figure shown below outputs a voltage
range of 0 to +5 volts in four binary digits that represent values
between 0 and 15.
• Another A/D converter may produce output in eight binary digits,

and another in sixteen binary digits.
• The number of discrete values in the conversion is called the

ADC resolution. The converter’s resolution is usually expressed in
bits.

The following figure represents an A/D converter with a voltage range of 0 to
+5 volts and a resolution of three bits.
5V 7
2.5V  X
X= 3.5  3 or 4

• Suppose that a value of 2.5 volts were input into the A/D converter in
Figure 16-2.
• Since the output has a resolution in the range 0 to 7 (3 bits resolution),

the converter’s output would be either 3 or 4.
• Converters used in PIC circuits have a resolution of either 8, 10, or 12

bits. In each case the output range, or quantization level, is 0 to 255, 0
to 1023, or 0 to 4095.
• The voltage resolution of the converter is its maximum voltage

range divided by the number of quantization levels.
• A device with a voltage range of 5 volts and a range of 255 levels

has a voltage resolution of:

ADC Implementation
• ADC performs accurately only if the input voltage is within the
converter’s valid range. This range is usually selected by setting
high and low voltage references on converter pins.
• For example, if +4 volts is input into the converter’s positive

reference pin and +2 volts into the negative reference pin, then the
converter’s voltage range lies between these values.
• In many PIC applications the converter range is selected as the

system’s supply voltage and ground, that is, +5 and 0 volts. When a
different range is externally referenced, there is a general restriction
that the range cannot exceed the system’s positive and
negative limits (Vdd and Vss).
• The output of the ADC is a digital representation of the original

analog signal.

A/D Integrated Circuits
• Several popular integrated circuits are used to perform as A/D converters,
among them the ADC0831, the LTC1298, and the MAX 190 and MAX 191.
• The variations consist in the resolution and interfacing of the different ICs.
• For example, ADC0831 is an 8-bit resolution, serial interface A/D quite

suited to applications for small, mid-range PICs such as the 16F84.
• The input range of the 0831 is 0 to 5 volts, which matches the TTL voltage
levels used in PIC circuits.

PIC On-Board A/D Hardware
• Nowadays, many PIC microcontrollers come with
onboard A/D hardware.
• One of the advantages of using onboard A/D converters

is saving interface lines.
• PICs equipped with A/D converters have either 8- or 10-

bit resolution and can receive analog input in 2 to 16
different channels.
• The 16F877 with eight analog input channels at a 10-

bit resolution is discussed.

A/D Module on the 16F87x
• The PICs of the 16F87x family are equipped with an analog-to-
digital converter module.
• The converter uses a sample and hold capacitor to store the analog
charge and performs a successive approximation algorithm to
produce the digital result.
• The time required for the holding capacitor on the ADC to charge is
called the acquisition time.
• The holding capacitor on the ADC must be given sufficient time to

settle to the analog input voltage level before the actual conversion
is initiated. Otherwise, the conversion is not accurate.
• The exact acquisition time can be determined from the device’s data
sheet.

A/D Module on the 16F877A
• The converter resolution is 10 bits, which are stored in two 8-bit

registers.
• The A/D module has high- and low-voltage reference inputs that are
selected by software.
• The module contains four registers accessible to the application:
– ADRESH - Result High Register

– ADRESL - Result Low Register
– ADCON0 - Control Register 0
– ADCON1 - Control Register 1
• ADCON0 register that controls most of the operations of the A/C

module.

• Figure 16-5 shows the registers associated with
A/D module operations.

The ADCON0 Register
• Bits 7 and 6, labeled ADSC1 and ADSC0, are the selection bits for
the A/D conversion clock.
• The conversion time per bit is

defined as TAD. A/D
conversion requires a
minimum of 12 TAD in a 10-
bit ADC.
• The source of the A/D
conversion clock is software
selected. The four possible
cock source options for TAD
are:
• 1. Fosc/2
• 2. Fosc/8
• 3. Fosc/32
• 4. Internal A/D module RC
oscillator (varies between 2
and 6 µs)
• The conversion time is the analog-to-digital clock period (Tad) multiplied
by the number of bits of resolution in the converter, plus the two to three
additional clock periods for settling time, as specified in the data sheet of
the specific device.
• The A/D conversion clock must be selected to ensure a minimum Tad

time of 1.6 µs. The formula for converting processor speed (in MHz) into
Tad microseconds is as follows:
• Where Tad is A/D conversion time, Fosc is the oscillator clock frequency in
MHz, and Tdiv is the divisor determined by bits ADSC1 and ADSC0 of the
ADCON0 register.
• For example, in a PIC running at 5MHz if we select the Fosc/8 option

(divisor equal 8) the A/D conversion time per bit is calculated as follows:
The minimum recommended conversion

speed of 1.6 µs is achieved.

• However, in a PIC with an oscillator speed of 10MHz,
this option produces a conversion speed of 0.8 µs, less
than the recommended minimum. In this case we would
have to select the divisor 32 option, giving a conversion
speed of 3.2 µs.
• In Table 16.1, converter speeds of less than 1.6 µs or
higher than 10 µs are not recommended.

• Recall that the Tad speed of the converter is calculated per bit, so the total
conversion time in a 10-bit device (such as the 16F87x) is approximately the
Tad speed multiplied by 10 bits, plus 3 additional cycles.
• Therefore, a device operating at a Tad speed of 1.6 µs requires 1.6 µs * 13,

or 20.8 µs for the entire conversion.
• Bits CHS2 to CHS0 in the ADCON0 register determine which of the analog
channels is selected.
• Bit 2 of the ADCON0 register, labeled GO/DONE, is both a control and a

status bit. Setting the GO/DONE bit starts A/D conversion. Once conversion
has started, the bit indicates if it is still in progress.
• Code can test the status of the GO/DONE bit in order to determine if
conversion has concluded.
• Bit 0 of the ADCON0 register turns the A/D module on and off.
The ADCON1 Register
• Bit 7 of the ADCON1 register is used to determine the bit justification of
the digital result.
• This is possible because the 10-bit result is returned in two 8-bit registers;
therefore, the six unused bits can be placed either on the left- or the right-
hand side of the 16-bit result.
• If ADCON1 bit 7 is set then the

result is right-justified; otherwise it is
left-justified. Figure 16-7 shows the
location of the significant bits.

• For example, an application on the 16F877 that uses the A/D
conversion module requires only 8-bit accuracy in the result. In this
case, code can left-justify the conversion result, read the ADRESH
register, and ignore the low-order bits in the ADRESL register.
• By ignoring the two low-order bits, the 10-bit accuracy of the A/D
hardware is reduced to eight bits and the converter performs as an 8-
bit accuracy unit.
• The bit field labeled PCFG3 to PCFG0 in the ADCON1 register

determines port configuration as analog or digital and the mapping of
the positive and negative voltage reference pins.
• Table in the following slide, shows the port configuration options.
• Channels to be used for analog-to-digital conversion must be

configured for input in the corresponding TRIS register.

A/D Module Sample Circuit and Program

// This program turn on led connected to portb.o if analog value input at RA0 is equal or more
than 2.5V.
unsigned int adc_value;
void main() {
TRISA = 0xFF; // PORTA is input

TRISB = 0; // PORTB is output
ADC_Init();
while (1) {
adc_value = ADC_Read(0); // Get 10-bit results of AD conversion
if (adc_value>= 511) //If A/D value is less than 511 (less than 2.5 Volt)
portb = 1; //then turn on LED0 only [(2.5V / 5V)* 1023 = 511.5 ]
else //5v --------> 1023
portb = 0; //2.5v -------> x
// x= (1023 *2.5v) / 5v = 511.5 =511
}

// This program send the 10-bit result of ADC conversion from analog channel 0 to portb and portc//
// the lower 8 bit of result sent to portb and 2 most significant bits sent to RC1, RC0 in portc//
unsigned int adc_value;
void main() {
TRISA = 0xFF; // PORTA is input
TRISB = 0; // PORTB is output
TRISC = 0; // PORTC is output
ADC_Init();
while (1) {
adc_value = ADC_Read(0); // Get 10-bit results of AD conversion
PORTB = adc_value; // Send lower 8 bits to PORTB
PORTC = adc_value >> 8; // Send 2 most significant bits to RC1, RC0
}


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Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 1

• Time, pressure, voltage, current, temperature, humidity,

• In this sense, natural phenomena occur in analog

• For example, a potentiometer in an electrical circuit

• If, in this case, the voltage range of the potentiometer is

• The device that performs conversion is called an A/D or

• In this chapter we explore A/D conversions in PIC

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 3

• For example, the voltage levels can then be fed

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 4

• Another A/D converter may produce output in eight binary digits,

• The number of discrete values in the conversion is called the

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 5

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 6

• Since the output has a resolution in the range 0 to 7 (3 bits resolution),

• Converters used in PIC circuits have a resolution of either 8, 10, or 12

• The voltage resolution of the converter is its maximum voltage

• A device with a voltage range of 5 volts and a range of 255 levels

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 7

• For example, if +4 volts is input into the converter’s positive

• In many PIC applications the converter range is selected as the

• The output of the ADC is a digital representation of the original

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 8

• For example, ADC0831 is an 8-bit resolution, serial interface A/D quite

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 9

• One of the advantages of using onboard A/D converters

• PICs equipped with A/D converters have either 8- or 10-

• The 16F877 with eight analog input channels at a 10-

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 10

• The holding capacitor on the ADC must be given sufficient time to

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 11

• The converter resolution is 10 bits, which are stored in two 8-bit

• The module contains four registers accessible to the application:

– ADRESH - Result High Register

• ADCON0 register that controls most of the operations of the A/C

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 12

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 13

• The conversion time per bit is

• The A/D conversion clock must be selected to ensure a minimum Tad

• For example, in a PIC running at 5MHz if we select the Fosc/8 option

The minimum recommended conversion

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 15

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 16

• Therefore, a device operating at a Tad speed of 1.6 µs requires 1.6 µs * 13,

• Bit 2 of the ADCON0 register, labeled GO/DONE, is both a control and a

• If ADCON1 bit 7 is set then the

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 18

• The bit field labeled PCFG3 to PCFG0 in the ADCON1 register

• Table in the following slide, shows the port configuration options.

• Channels to be used for analog-to-digital conversion must be

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 19

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 21

unsigned int adc_value;

TRISA = 0xFF; // PORTA is input

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 22

unsigned int adc_value;

Alazhar University Dr. Mohammad Aqel 23

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