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ATmega164A/PA/324A/PA/644A/PA/1284/P
in ADCSRA. The prescaler keeps running for as long as the ADEN bit is set, and is continuously
reset when ADEN is low.
When initiating a single ended conversion by setting the ADSC bit in ADCSRA, the conversion
page 250 for details on differential conversion timing.
A normal conversion takes 13 ADC clock cycles. The first conversion after the ADC is switched
on (ADEN in ADCSRA is set) takes 25 ADC clock cycles in order to initialize the analog circuitry.
When the bandgap reference voltage is used as input to the ADC, it will take a certain time for
the voltage to stabilize. If not stabilized, the first value read after the first conversion may be
wrong.
The actual sample-and-hold takes place 1.5 ADC clock cycles after the start of a normal conver-
sion and 13.5 ADC clock cycles after the start of a first conversion. When a conversion is
complete, the result is written to the ADC Data Registers, and ADIF is set. In single conversion
mode, ADSC is cleared simultaneously. The software may then set ADSC again, and a new
conversion will be initiated on the first rising ADC clock edge.
When Auto Triggering is used, the prescaler is reset when the trigger event occurs. This assures
a fixed delay from the trigger event to the start of conversion. In this mode, the sample-and-hold
takes place 2 ADC clock cycles after the rising edge on the trigger source signal. Three addi-
tional CPU clock cycles are used for synchronization logic.
When using Differential mode, along with Auto Trigging from a source other than the ADC Con-
version Complete, each conversion will require 25 ADC clocks. This is because the ADC must
be disabled and re-enabled after every conversion.
In Free Running mode, a new conversion will be started immediately after the conversion com-
pletes, while ADSC remains high. For a summary of conversion times, see
Table 23-1 on pageFigure 23-4. ADC Timing diagram, first conversion (Single Conversion mode).
MSB of Result
LSB of Result
ADC Clock
ADSC
Sample & Hold
ADIF
ADCH
ADCL
Cycle Number
ADEN
1
212
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
1
2
First Conversion
Next
Conversion
3
MUX and REFS
Update
MUX and REFS
Update
Conversion
Complete