STM32 ADC Tutorial – Complete Guide With Examples

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Khaled Magdy June 27, 2020

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STM32 ADC Tutorial – Complete Guide With

Examples

STM32 Course Home Page

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss the STM32 ADC (Analog-To-Digital Converter) module.
Starting with an introduction for the ADC as a digital circuit and then shifting the
attention to the STM32 ADC hardware and its features. We’ll get into the functional
description for the ADC in STM32 microcontrollers, how it works, and how to configure
it and make the best use of it. And let’s get right into it!

Analog-To-Digital Converters (ADC) Preface

An ADC (Analog-To-Digital) converter is an electronic circuit that takes in an analog
voltage as input and converts it into digital data, a value that represents the voltage level
in binary code. The ADC samples the analog input whenever you trigger it to start
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conversion. And it performs a process called quantization so as to decide on the voltage
level and its binary code that gets pushed in the output register.

The ADC does the counter operation that of a DAC, while an ADC (A/D) converts analog
voltage to digital data the DAC (D/A) converts digital numbers to the analog voltage on
the output pin.

The ADC is one of the most expensive electronic components especially when it does
have a high sampling rate and high resolution. Therefore, it’s a valuable resource in
microcontrollers and different manufacturers provide us (the firmware engineers) with
various features so as to make the best use of it. And the flexibility also to make a lot of
decisions like sacrificing resolution in exchange for a higher resolution or having the
ADC to trigger on an internal timer signal to periodically sample the analog channels,
and much more as we’ll see in this tutorial.

For those who like to have a solid introduction in ADC, how it works at the low level,
different types of ADCs, ADC errors, equations, and all other details. The ADC Tutorial
down below is a complete introductory guide for this topic and highly recommended.

STM32 ADC Brief

The STM32F103C8 (Blue Pill) & STM32F432KC have a 12-bit ADC which is a successive
approximation analog-to-digital converter. It has up to 18 multiplexed channels
allowing it to measure signals from sixteen external and two internal sources. A/D
conversion of the various channels can be performed in single, continuous, scan, or
discontinuous mode. The result of the ADC is stored in a left-aligned or right-aligned
16-bit data register.

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The analog watchdog feature allows the application to detect if the input voltage goes
outside the user-defined high or low thresholds. The ADC input clock is generated from
the PCLK2 clock divided by a Prescaler and it must not exceed 14 MHz.

ADC Features

12-bit resolution
Interrupt generation at End of Conversion, End of Injected conversion and Analog
watchdog event
Single and continuous conversion modes
Scan mode for automatic conversion of channel 0 to channel ‘n’
Self-calibration
Data alignment with in-built data coherency
Channel by channel programmable sampling time
External trigger option for both regular and injected conversion
Discontinuous mode
Dual-mode (on devices with 2 ADCs or more)
ADC conversion time: 1 µs at 56 MHz (1.17 µs at 72 MHz)
ADC supply requirement: 2.4 V to 3.6 V
ADC input range: V REF– ≤ VIN ≤ VREF+
DMA request generation during regular channel conversion

STM32 ADC Functional Description

STM32 ADC Block Diagram

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The ADC Clock

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The ADCCLK clock provided by the Clock Controller is synchronous with the PCLK2
(APB2 clock). The RCC controller has a dedicated programmable Prescaler for the ADC
clock, and it must not exceed 14 MHz.

Channel Selection

There are 16 multiplexed channels. It is possible to organize the conversions in two

groups: regular and injected. A group consists of a sequence of conversions that can be
done on any channel and in any order. For instance, it is possible to do the conversion
in the following order: Ch3, Ch8, Ch2, Ch2, Ch0, Ch2, Ch2, Ch15.

The Regular Group is composed of up to 16 conversions. The regular channels and

their order in the conversion sequence must be selected in the ADC_SQRx registers.
The total number of conversions in the regular group must be written in the L[3:0] bits
in the ADC_SQR1 register.

The Injected Group is composed of up to 4 conversions. The injected channels and

their order in the conversion sequence must be selected in the ADC_JSQR register. The
total number of conversions in the injected group must be written in the L[1:0] bits in
the ADC_JSQR register.

ADC Conversion Time & Timing Diagram

the ADC needs a stabilization time of t STAB before it starts converting accurately. After
the start of ADC conversion and after 14 clock cycles, the EOC flag is set and the 16-bit
ADC Data register contains the result of the conversion.

The ADC Analog Watchdog (AWD)

The AWD analog watchdog status bit is set if the analog voltage converted by the ADC is
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below a low threshold or above a high threshold. These thresholds are programmed in
the 12 least significant bits of the ADC_HTR and ADC_LTR 16-bit registers. An
interrupt can be enabled by using the AWDIE bit in the ADC_CR1 register. The
threshold value is independent of the alignment selected. And the analog watchdog can
be enabled on one or more channels.

ADC Result Data Alignment

ALIGN bit in the ADC_CR2 register selects the alignment of data stored after
conversion. Data can be left or right-aligned as shown in the diagram below.

The injected group channels converted data value is decreased by the user-defined
offset written in the ADC_JOFRx registers so the result can be a negative value. The
SEXT bit is the extended sign value. For regular group channels, no offset is subtracted
so only twelve bits are significant.

STM32 ADC Modes of Operation

Single Conversion Mode
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In Single Conversion mode, the ADC does one conversion. This mode is started either
by setting the ADON bit in the ADC_CR2 register (for a regular channel only) or by an
external trigger (for a regular or injected channel), while the CONT bit is 0. Once the
conversion of the selected channel is complete:

If a regular channel was converted:

– The converted data is stored in the 16-bit ADC_DR register
– The EOC (End Of Conversion) flag is set
– and an interrupt is generated if the EOCIE is set.
If an injected channel was converted:
– The converted data is stored in the 16-bit ADC_DRJ1 register
– The JEOC (End Of Conversion Injected) flag is set
– and an interrupt is generated if the JEOCIE bit is set.

The ADC is then stopped.

Continuous Conversion Mode

In continuous conversion mode, ADC starts another conversion as soon as it finishes

one. This mode is started either by an external trigger or by setting the ADON bit in the
ADC_CR2 register, while the CONT bit is 1. After each conversion:

If a regular channel was converted:

– The converted data is stored in the 16-bit ADC_DR register
– The EOC (End Of Conversion) flag is set
– An interrupt is generated if the EOCIE is set.
If an injected channel was converted:
– The converted data is stored in the 16-bit ADC_DRJ1 register
– The JEOC (End Of Conversion Injected) flag is set
– An interrupt is generated if the JEOCIE bit is set.

Scan Mode

This mode is used to scan a group of analog channels. A single conversion is performed
for each channel of the group. After each end of conversion, the next channel of the
group is converted automatically. If the CONT bit is set, conversion does not stop at the
last selected group channel but continues again from the first selected group channel.

When using scan mode, DMA bit must be set and the direct memory access controller is
used to transfer the converted data of regular group channels to SRAM after each
update of the ADC_DR register. The injected channel converted data is always stored in
the ADC_JDRx registers.

Discontinuous Mode

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This mode is enabled by setting the DISCEN bit in the ADC_CR1 register. It can be used
to convert a short sequence of n conversions (n <=8) which is a part of the sequence of
conversions selected in the ADC_SQRx registers. The value of n is specified by writing
to the DISCNUM[2:0] bits in the ADC_CR1 register.

When an external trigger occurs, it starts the next n conversions selected in the
ADC_SQRx registers until all the conversions in the sequence are done. The total
sequence length is defined by the L[3:0] bits in the ADC_SQR1 register.

ADC Conversion On External Triggers

Conversion can be triggered by an external event (e.g. timer capture, EXTI line). If the
EXTTRIG control bit is set then external events are able to trigger a conversion. The
EXTSEL[2:0] and JEXTSEL[2:0] control bits allow the application to select decide
which out of 8 possible events can trigger conversion for the regular and injected
groups.

When an external trigger is selected for ADC regular or injected conversion, only the
rising edge of the signal can start the conversion. Down below is a table for the possible
options for ADC1 & 2 external trigger inputs to start a conversion on regular group
channels.

STM32 ADC Calibration

The ADC has a built-in self-calibration mode. Calibration significantly reduces accuracy
errors due to internal capacitor bank variations. During calibration, an error-correction
code (digital word) is calculated for each capacitor, and during all subsequent
conversions, the error contribution of each capacitor is removed using this code.

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Calibration is started by setting the CAL bit in the ADC_CR2 register. Once calibration
is over, the CAL bit is reset by hardware and normal conversion can be performed. It is
recommended to calibrate the ADC once at power on. The calibration codes are stored
in the ADC_DR as soon as the calibration phase ends. It is recommended to perform a
calibration after each power-up.

The STM32 HAL does provide a function within the ADC APIs dedicated to starting the
calibration process and as said before it’s a recommended step after initializing the ADC
hardware at the system power-up.

STM32 ADC Sampling Time

ADC samples the input voltage for a number of ADC_CLK cycles which can be modified
using the SMP[2:0] bits in the ADC_SMPR1 and ADC_SMPR2 registers. Each channel
can be sampled with different sample times.

The Total ADC Conversion Time is calculated as follows:

Tconv = Sampling time + 12.5 cycles

Example:

With an ADCCLK = 14 MHz and a sampling time of 1.5 cycles: Tconv = 1.5 + 12.5 = 14
cycles = 1 µs

The ADC Sampling Rate (Frequency) is calculated using this formula:

SamplingRate = 1 / Tconv

For The Previous example where Tconv = 1µs, The samplingRate = 1000000 = 1Ms/sec

STM32 ADC Resolution, Reference, Formulas

STM32 ADC Resolution

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The STM32 ADC has a resolution of 12-Bit which results in a total conversion time of
SamplingTime+12.5 clock cycles. However, higher sampling rates can be achieved by
sacrificing the high-resolution. Therefore, the resolution can be dropped down to 10-
Bit, 8-Bit, or 6-Bit, and hence the conversion time is much shorter and the sampling
rate increases. This can be configured and implemented in software by the programmer
and the STM32 HAL does provide APIs to set all the ADC parameters including its
resolution.

ADC Reference Voltage

The ADC reference voltage pins are defined in the datasheet and assumed to be
connected to a voltage level in a certain range. This is shown in the table below. You can
choose to set the reference voltage to its maximum allowable level for a wider range of
conversion but less voltage measurement resolution. Or alternatively, you can set the
reference voltage to the minimum allowable value for better voltage reading resolution.

If you’re using a development board, you may need to check out its schematic diagram
as it may not be connecting the ADC Vref at all or connecting it to a 2.5v for example, so
the ADC will saturate and give you 4096 before the input analog voltage reaches 3.3v
and you’re wondering why! it may be because the reference voltage is set to a value less
than 3.3v, so it’s something to consider.

STM32 ADC Formulas

ADC Conversion Time

Tconv = Sampling time + 12.5 cycles

ADC Sampling Rate

SamplingRate = 1 / Tconv

ADC Result Voltage (Analog Input Value)

Vin = ADC_Res x (Reference Voltage / 4096)

Where Reference Voltage = (V REF+) – (VREF-)

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 ADC & DMA
Since converted regular channels value are stored in a unique data register, it is
necessary to use DMA for the conversion of more than one regular channel. This avoids
the loss of data already stored in the ADC_DR register.

Only the end of conversion of a regular channel generates a DMA request, which allows
the transfer of its converted data from the ADC_DR register to the destination location
selected by the user.

STM32 ADC Interrupts

An interrupt can be produced on the end of conversion for regular and injected groups
and when the analog watchdog status bit is set. Separate interrupt enable bits are
available for flexibility.

Different Ways To Read STM32 ADC

1 – The Polling Method

It’s the easiest way in code in order to perform an analog to digital conversion using the
ADC on an analog input channel. However, it’s not an efficient way in all cases as it’s
considered to be a blocking way of using the ADC. As in this way, we start the A/D
conversion and wait for the ADC until it completes the conversion so the CPU can
resume processing the main code.

2 – The Interrupt Method

The interrupt method is an efficient way to do ADC conversion in a non-blocking

manner, so the CPU can resume executing the main code routine until the ADC
completes the conversion and fires an interrupt signal so the CPU can switch to the ISR
context and save the conversion results for further processing.

However, when you’re delaing with multiple channels in a circular mode or so, you’ll
have periodic interrupts from the ADC that are too much for the CPU to handle. This
will introduce jitter injection and interrupt latency and all sorts of timing issues to the
system. This can be avoided by using DMA.

3 – The DMA Method

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Lastly, the DMA method is the most efficient way of converting multiple ADC channels
at very high rates and still transfers the results to the memory without CPU intervention
which is so cool and time-saving technique.

STM32 ADC Conversion Errors

This section lists the main error types that have an effect on A/D conversion accuracy.
These types of errors occur in all A/D converters and conversion quality depends on
eliminating the source of each error of them.

1 ADC Errors Due To The ADC Itself

1.1 – ADC Offset Error

The offset error is the deviation between the first actual transition and the first ideal
transition. The first transition occurs when the digital ADC output changes from 0 to 1.
Ideally, when the analog input ranges between 0.5 LSB and 1.5 LSB, the digital output
should be 1. Still, ideally, the first transition occurs at 0.5 LSB. The offset error is
denoted by EO. The offset error can easily be calibrated by the application firmware.

1.2- ADC Gain Error

The gain error is the deviation between the last actual transition and the last ideal
transition. It is denoted by EG. The last actual transition is the transition from 0xFFE to
0xFFF. Ideally, there should be a transition from 0xFFE to 0xFFF when the analog
input is equal to VREF+ – 0.5 LSB. So for V REF+= 3.3 V, the last ideal transition should
occur at 3.299597 V. If the ADC provides the 0xFFF reading for VAIN < VREF+ – 0.5
LSB, then a negative gain error is obtained. The gain error is obtained by the formula
below:

EG = Last actual transition – ideal transition

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 G

1.3 – Integral Linearity Error

The integral linearity error is the maximum deviation between any actual transition and
the endpoint correlation line. The ILE is denoted by EL. The endpoint correlation line
can be defined as the line on the A/D transfer curve that connects the first actual
transition with the last actual transition.

EL is the deviation from this line for each transition. The endpoint correlation line thus
corresponds to the actual transfer curve and has no relation to the ideal transfer curve.
The ILE is also known as the integral non-linearity error (INL). The ILE is the integral
of the DLE over the whole range.

2 ADC Errors Due To The Environment

2.1 – ADC Reference Voltage Noise

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As the ADC output is the ratio between the analog signal voltage and the reference
voltage, any noise on the analog reference causes a change in the converted digital
value. VDDA analog power supply is used on some packages as the reference voltage
(VREF+), so the quality of the V DDA power supply has an influence on ADC error.

2.2 – Analog Input Signal Noise

Small but high-frequency signal variation can result in big conversion errors during
sampling time. This noise is generated by electrical devices, such as motors, engine
ignition, power lines. It affects the source signal (such as sensors) by adding an
unwanted signal. As a consequence, the ADC conversion results are not accurate.

2.3 – ADC Dynamic Range Bad Matching

To obtain the maximum ADC conversion precision, it is very important that the ADC
dynamic range matches the maximum amplitude of the signal to be converted. Let us
assume that the signal to be converted varies between 0 V and 2.5 V and that VREF+ is
equal to 3.3 V. The maximum signal value converted by the ADC is 3102 (2.5 V) as
shown in the diagram down below. In this case, there are 993 unused transitions (4095
– 3102 = 993). This implies a loss in the converted signal accuracy.

2.4 – Analog Signal Source Impedance (Resistance)

The impedance of the analog signal source, or series resistance (R AIN), between the
source and pin, causes a voltage drop across it because of the current flowing into the
pin. The charging of the internal sampling capacitor (CADC) is controlled by switches
with a resistance RADC. With the addition of source resistance (with RADC), the time
required to fully charge the hold capacitor increases.

If the sampling time is less than the time required to fully charge the C ADC through R ADC
+ RAIN (ts < tc), the digital value converted by the ADC is less than the actual value.

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This error can be reduced or completely eliminated by setting the sampling time of the
analog channel in such a way that guarantees an appropriate voltage level on the input
pin is present before the ADC starts the conversion.

2.5 – Analog Signal Source Capacitance & Parasitics

When converting analog signals, it is necessary to account for the capacitance at the
source and the parasitic capacitance seen on the analog input pin. The source resistance
and capacitance form an RC network. In addition, the ADC conversion results may not
be accurate unless the external capacitor (CAIN + Cp) is fully charged to the level of the
input voltage.

The greater value of (C AIN + Cp), the more limited the source frequency. The external
capacitance at the source and the parasitic capacitance are denoted by CAIN and Cp,
respectively.

2.6 – Injection Current Effect

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A negative injection current on any analog pin (or a closely positioned digital input pin)
may introduce leakage current into the ADC input. The worst case is the adjacent analog
channel. A negative injection current is introduced when VAIN < VSS, causing current to
flow out from the I/O pin. Which can potentially shift the voltage level on the pin and
distort the measurement result.

2.7 – IO Pins Cross-Talking

Switching the I/Os may induce some noise in the analog input of the ADC due to
capacitive coupling between I/Os. Crosstalk may be introduced by PCB tracks that run
close to each other or that cross each other.

Internally switching digital signals and IOs introduces high-frequency noise. Switching
high sink I/Os may induce some voltage dips in the power supply caused by current
surges. A digital track that crosses an analog input track on the PCB may affect the
analog signal.

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2.8 – EMI-Induced Noise

Electromagnetic emissions from neighboring circuits may introduce high-frequency

noise in an analog signal because the PCB tracks may act as an antenna. It’s called
electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise.

ADC Example Applications

In the next few tutorials, we’ll be practicing the ADC peripheral and do some practical
LABs in order to learn how to configure and program the ADC to do certain tasks in
different ways. The ADC example applications will include the following:

Analog LED Dimmer With A Potentiometer Input

Temperature Sensor Interfacing With LCD Display
Sound Recording & Playback using DAC, and power amp As Well

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