Analog 1.1 VDC A/D reference does not compute?

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
#1

Using the internal analog 1.1 VDC A/D reference does not compute?

I am using a temperature sensor LM34DZ as an input to an Arduino analog input. The "default" internal voltage ref of ~ 5 vdc is being used. The LM34DZ outputs a voltage equal to 10mv/deg F. The analog voltage input reads 0.7952 volts @ 10mv/F = 79.52F The analog count is 159 out of 1024 steps or 0-1023 (10 bit A/D) 159/1023 = .155425219941 X 5000 (mv) = 777.126099705 / 10 mv/F = 77.71 F This calculation both on the front end voltage and the A/D count is close.

Notes: The exact voltage ref (default) is not exactly 5 VDC but a number close to 5 VDC eg 5.06982. This gives the calculation 78.77F. vs 79.52F using a 50,000 count voltmeter. This default ref voltage varies between chip to chip. The accuracy of the "cheaper" LM34DZ is +-2F

I decided to use the internal A/D 1.1 VDC Voltage ref by using the new command analogReference(INTERNAL); The AREF on pin 21 changed from 5VDC to ~ 1.0729 VDC. The count changed from 159 to 252 with the same input voltage from the LM34DZ. What does this count of 252 represent?

Note: I am using rev 14 and my various chips are 168P/328P with approximately the same results. Note: The AREF is not connected to any external voltage source.

:o :o :o

#2

That....makes no sense. I would have expected a count closer to 720.

Did you take multiple readings? Any chance you're only reading one of the A/D registers (ADCH / ADCL) instead of both?

#3

I am "eating crow" on this one. My variable is a byte and I needed to change it to an int when changing to the 1.1 VDC internal ref. count 778/1023 * 1100 / 10 works out to my new ambient temp. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

#4

Ciao,

if you are hanging the analog reference from standard to internal in the sketch take into account that a analog read + a delay are needed before internal reference is operational.

Here a portion of code that works for me
…
// Temperature sensor LM35DZ - Change of analog reference voltage
// Put to INTERNAL: 1.1 V
// One analog read + delay are needed to make change operational
analogReference(INTERNAL) ;
analogRead(5) ; // 5 = analog pin 5
delay(100);

analog_val_temp = analogRead(5) ; // 5 = analog pin 5

// Return to DEFAULT analog reference voltage (5V)
analogReference(DEFAULT) ;
…

Have a nice day.
Marco.

#5