31.3.2 Initialization

The following steps are recommended to initialize ADC operation:
  1. Configure the ADC voltage reference in the Voltage Reference (VREF) peripheral.
  2. Optional: Select between Single-Ended or Differential mode by writing to the Conversion Mode (CONVMODE) bit in the Control A (ADCn.CTRLA) register.
  3. Configure the resolution by writing to the Resolution Selection (RESSEL) bit field in the ADCn.CTRLA register.
  4. Optional: Configure to left adjust by writing a ‘1’ to the Left Adjust Result (LEFTADJ) bit in the ADCn.CTRLA register.
  5. Optional: Select the Free-Running mode by writing a ‘1’ to the Free-Running (FREERUN) bit in the ADCn.CTRLA register.
  6. Optional: Configure the number of samples to be accumulated per conversion by writing to the Sample Accumulation Number Select (SAMPNUM) bit field in the Control B (ADCn.CTRLB) register.
  7. Configure the ADC clock (CLK_ADC) by writing to the Prescaler (PRESC) bit field in the Control C (ADCn.CTRLC) register.
  8. Select the positive ADC input by writing to the MUXPOS bit field in the ADCn.MUXPOS register.
  9. Optional: Select the negative ADC input by writing to the MUXNEG bit field in the ADCn.MUXNEG register.
  10. Optional: Enable Start Event input by writing a ‘1’ to the Start Event Input (STARTEI) bit in the Event Control (ADCn.EVCTRL) register, and configure the Event System accordingly.
  11. Enable the ADC by writing a ‘1’ to the ADC Enable (ENABLE) bit in the ADCn.CTRLA register.

Following these steps will initialize the ADC for basic measurements.

For details about the start-up time of the VREF peripheral, refer to the Electrical Characteristics section.

The ADC does not consume power when the ENABLE bit is ‘0’. The ADC generates a 10- or 12-bit result which can be read from the Result (ADCn.RES) register.

Note: Changing the following registers during a conversion will give unpredictable results:
  • In ADCn.CTRLA:
    • Conversion Mode (CONVMODE) bit
    • Left Adjust Result (LEFTADJ) bit
    • Resolution Selection (RESSEL) bit field
  • In ADCn.CTRLB:
    • Sample Accumulation Number Select (SAMPNUM) bit field
  • In ADCn.CTRLC:
    • Prescaler (PRESC) bit field