45.6.2.8 Conversion Timing and Sampling Rate

The following figure shows the ADC timing for one single conversion. A conversion starts after the software or event start are synchronized with the GCLK_ADCx clock. The input channel is sampled in the first half CLK_ADCx period.

Figure 45-3. ADC Timing for One Conversion in 12-bit Resolution

The sampling time can be increased by using the Sampling Time Length bit group in the Sampling Time Control register (SAMPCTRL.SAMPLEN). As example, the next figure is showing the timing conversion with sampling time increased to six CLK_ADC cycles.

Figure 45-4. ADC Timing for One Conversion with Increased Sampling Time, 12-bit

The ADC provides also offset compensation, see the following figure. The offset compensation is enabled by the Offset Compensation bit in the Sampling Control register (SAMPCTRL.OFFCOMP).

Note: If offset compensation is used, the sampling time must be set to one cycle of CLK_ADCx.

In free running mode, the sampling rate RS is calculated by

RS = fCLK_ADC / ( nSAMPLING + nOFFCOMP + nDATA)

Here, nSAMPLING is the sampling duration in CLK_ADC cycles, nOFFCOMP is the offset compensation duration in clock cycles, and nDATA is the bit resolution. fCLK_ADC is the ADC clock frequency from the internal prescaler: fCLK_ADC = fGCLK_ADC / 2^(1 + CTRLA.PRESCALER)

Figure 45-5. ADC Timing for One Conversion with Offset Compensation, 12-bit

The impact of resolution on the sampling rate is seen in the next two figures, where free-running sampling in 12-bit and 8-bit resolution are compared.

Figure 45-6. ADC Timing for Free Running in 12-bit Resolution
Figure 45-7. ADC Timing for Free Running in 8-bit Resolution

The propagation delay of an ADC measurement is given by:

PropagationDelay = 1 + Resolution f ADC
Example. In order to obtain 1MSPS in 12-bit resolution with a sampling time length of four CLK_ADC cycles, fCLK_ADC must be 1MSPS * (4 + 12) = 16MHz. As the minimal division factor of the prescaler is 2, GCLK_ADC must be 32MHz.