Atmel ATmega328P Xplained Mini MEGA328P-XMINI MEGA328P-XMINI Data Sheet

Product codes
MEGA328P-XMINI
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241
ATmega48A/PA/88A/PA/168A/PA/328/P [DATASHEET]
Atmel-8271H-AVR- ATmega-Datasheet_08/2014
24.4
Prescaling and Conversion Timing
Figure 24-3.
ADC Prescaler
By default, the successive approximation circuitry requires an input clock frequency between 50kHz and 
200kHz to get maximum resolution. If a lower resolution than 10 bits is needed, the input clock frequency to the 
ADC can be higher than 200kHz to get a higher sample rate.
The ADC module contains a prescaler, which generates an acceptable ADC clock frequency from any CPU 
frequency above 100kHz. The prescaling is set by the ADPS bits in ADCSRA. The prescaler starts counting 
from the moment the ADC is switched on by setting the ADEN bit 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 starts at the 
following rising edge of the ADC clock cycle. 
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 conversion and 13.5 
ADC clock cycles after the start of an 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 two ADC clock 
cycles after the rising edge on the trigger source signal. Three additional CPU clock cycles are used for 
synchronization logic.
In Free Running mode, a new conversion will be started immediately after the conversion completes, while 
ADSC remains high. For a summary of conversion times, see 
7-BIT ADC PRESCALER
ADC CLOCK SOURCE
CK
ADPS0
ADPS1
ADPS2
CK/128
CK/2
CK/4
CK/8
CK/16
CK/32
CK/64
Reset
ADEN
START