Microchip Technology MCP3421EV Data Sheet

Page of 42
© 2009 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS22003E-page 17
MCP3421
If the configuration byte is read repeatedly by clocking
continuously after reading the data bytes (i.e., after the
5th byte in the 18-bit conversion mode), the state of the
RDY bit indicates whether the device is ready with new
conversion result. When the Master finds the RDY bit is
cleared, it can send a not-acknowledge (NAK) bit and
a stop bit to exit the current read operation and send a
new read command for the latest conversion data.
Once the conversion data has been read, the ready bit
toggles to ‘1’ until the next new conversion data is
ready. The conversion data in the output register is
overwritten every time a new conversion is completed.
 and 
 show the examples of
reading the conversion data. The user can rewrite the
configuration byte any time for a new setting.
 show the examples of the
configuration bit operation.
 
5.3
I
2
C Serial Communications
The device communicates with Master
(microcontroller) through a serial I
2
C (Inter-Integrated
Circuit) interface and support standard (100 kbits/sec),
fast (400 kbits/sec) and high-speed (3.4 Mbits/sec)
modes.
The serial I
2
C is a bidirectional 2-wire data bus
communication protocol using open-drain SCL and
SDA lines. 
The device can only be addressed as a slave. Once
addressed, it can receive configuration bits with a write
command or transmit the latest conversion results with
a read command. The serial clock pin (SCL) is an input
only and the serial data pin (SDA) is bidirectional. The
Master starts communication by sending a START bit
and terminates the communication by sending a STOP
bit. In read mode, the device releases the SDA line
after receiving NAK and STOP bits. 
An example of a hardware connection diagram is
shown in 
. More details of the I
2
C bus
characteristic is described in 
5.3.1
I
2
C DEVICE ADDRESSING
The first byte after the START bit is always the address
byte of the device, which includes the device code
(4 bits), address bits (3 bits), and R/W bit. The device
code of the MCP3421 is 1101, which is programmed at
the factory. The device code is followed by three
address bits (A2, A1, A0) which are also programmed
at the factory. The three address bits allow up to eight
MCP3421 devices on the same data bus line. 
The (R/W) bit determines if the Master device wants to
read the conversion data or write to the Configuration
register. If the (R/W) bit is set (read mode), the device
outputs the conversion data in the following clocks. If
the (R/W) bit is cleared (write mode), the device
expects a configuration byte in the following clocks.
When the device receives the correct address byte, it
outputs an acknowledge bit after the R/W bit. 
 shows the address byte. 
 show how to write the configuration register
bits and read the conversion results.
TABLE 5-1:
WRITE CONFIGURATION BITS
R/W O/C RDY
Operation
0
0
0
No effect if all other bits remain 
the same - operation continues 
with the previous settings 
0
0
1
Initiate One-Shot Conversion
0
1
0
Initiate Continuous Conversion
0
1
1
Initiate Continuous Conversion
TABLE 5-2:
READ CONFIGURATION BITS
R/W O/C RDY
Operation
1
0
0
New conversion result in One-
Shot conversion mode has just 
been read. The RDY bit remains 
low until set by a new write 
command. 
1
0
1
One-Shot Conversion is in 
progress. The conversion result 
is not updated yet. The RDY bit 
stays high until the current 
conversion is completed.
1
1
0
New conversion result in 
Continuous Conversion mode 
has just been read. The RDY bit 
changes to high after reading the 
conversion data. 
1
1
1
The conversion result in 
Continuous Conversion mode 
was already read. The next new 
conversion data is not ready. The 
RDY bit stays high until a new 
conversion is completed. 
Note:
The High-Speed mode is not
recommended for V
DD
 less than 2.7V.