Rainbow Electronics ATmega32L - Manual (Page 209)

209
ATmega32(L)
2503C–AVR–10/02
Offset Compensation
Schemes The gain stage has a built-in offset cancellation circuitry that nulls the offset of differen-
tial measurements as much as possible. The remaining offset in the analog path can be
measured directly by selecting the same channel for both differential inputs. This offset
residue can be then subtracted in software from the measurement results. Using this
kind of software based offset correction, offset on any channel can be reduced below
one LSB.
ADC Accuracy Definitions An n-bit single-ended ADC converts a voltage linearly between GND and V
REF
in 2 n
steps (LSBs). The lowest code is read as 0, and the highest code is read as 2 n -1.
Several parameters describe the deviation from the ideal behavior:
• Offset: The deviation of the first transition (0x000 to 0x001) compared to the ideal
transition (at 0.5 LSB). Ideal value: 0 LSB.
Figure 107. Offset Error
• Gain Error: After adjusting for offset, the Gain Error is found as the deviation of the
last transition (0x3FE to 0x3FF) compared to the ideal transition (at 1.5 LSB below
maximum). Ideal value: 0 LSB
Figure 108. Gain Error
Output Code
V
REF
Input Voltage
Ideal ADC
Actual ADC
Offset
Error
Output Code
V
REF
Input Voltage
Ideal ADC
Actual ADC
Gain
Error