2.2.2 ADC Resolution

The ADC supports full 8-, 10-, or 12-bit resolution. Hardware oversampling and decimation can be used to increase the effective resolution at the expense of throughput. Using oversampling and decimation mode the ADC resolution is increased from 12-bit to an effective 13-, 14-, 15-, or 16-bit. In these modes the conversion rate is reduced, as a greater number of samples is used to achieve the increased resolution. The available resolutions and effective conversion rate is listed in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1. Effective ADC Conversion Speed Using Oversampling

Resolution

Effective conversion rate

13-bit

Conversion rate divided by 4

14-bit

Conversion rate divided by 16

15-bit

Conversion rate divided by 64

16-bit

Conversion rate divided by 256