Hello,
Can someone explain to me why the AIN0 (the positive input) of the ATmega2560 comparator does not have an Arduino Pin? So basically your only option is Bandgap Ref.
But I need to have my own signals on both of the inputs. Works great on a Nano or UNO. Wanted to get more RAM so I bought a Mega without checking this... sigh
Is it even possible to solder a wire on that pin?
WHY?! Why not connect it?
Designer's choice option at time of creation.
Check the pins to the left & right of it, see if connected to a header pin. Then just add a little flux and solder to the adjacent pin.
If not, can add a wire to take it to another pin. Use a really fine/small tip to do it.
Unfortunately the adjacent pins are Digital Pin 1 (TX0) - and since I'm using USB communication I can't use this one because it would trigger the comparator - and Digital Pin 5 (AIN1) - which is the other comparator input, so can't be used either.
Good idea though.
WHY?!
Easy enough: The official Arduino environment does not support the comparator peripheral...
(that may be an unfortunate decision on their part, but ... that seems to be the way it is.)
Well, I don't see why they did on the UNO or Nano and they don't on the Mega.
Anyway, I managed to solder a thin wire from a pair of headphones to the ATmega2560 pin and connect it to the "Reserved" (unused) pin on the Power side of the Arduino board.
FYI: The Seeedunino MEGA (http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Seeeduino-Mega-p-717.html) connects both analog comparator inputs to pins...
It's kind of expensive...
Also, it uses an FTDI chip. I've been having problems with them being too slow. Surprisingly (or not?), the CH340 chip works a lot better.
Thanks for the info though.