Intermediate
30 min

Decode, express, and amplify data across diverse applications with MCP4728 and STM32F302VC

Empower data expression

DAC 4 Click with CLICKER 4 for STM32F302VCT6

Published Jul 22, 2025

Click board™

DAC 4 Click

Dev. board

CLICKER 4 for STM32F302VCT6

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F302VC

Designed for precision, it transforms digital insights into analog realities, enabling seamless communication and decision-making

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

DAC 4 Click is based on the MCP4728, a quad, 12-bit voltage output Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) with nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) from Microchip. Its onboard precision output amplifier allows it to achieve rail-to-rail analog output swing. The DAC input codes, device configuration bits, and I2C address bits are programmable to the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) using I2C serial interface commands. The nonvolatile memory feature enables the DAC device to hold the DAC input codes during power-off time, allowing the DAC outputs to be available immediately after power-up with the saved settings. The MCP4728 device has a high-precision internal voltage reference (VREF = 2.048V). The user can select the internal reference, or an external reference may be used (VDD) for each channel individually. This

gives the ADC 4-click good flexibility for use in various applications. Each channel can be operated individually in Normal mode or Power-Down mode by setting the configuration register bits. In Power-Down mode, most of the internal circuits in the powered-down channel are turned off for power savings, and the output amplifier can be configured to present a known low, medium, or high resistance output load. This device also includes a Power-on Reset (POR) circuit to ensure reliable power-up and an onboard charge pump for the EEPROM programming voltage. The MCP4728 has four output pins routed to the output terminal blocks (TB1 and TB2). The output range of the DAC is 0 V to VREF or 0 V to 2×V REF. The communication with the main MCU is established over a two-wire I2C compatible serial

interface, with standard (100 kHz), fast (400 kHz), or high speed (3.4 MHz) modes supported. The I2C lines (SCL and SDA) are routed to the dedicated mikroBUS™pins. The LDA pin is a multipurpose GPIO: It can be used as Synchronization input or for the device I2C address selection. RDY pin can also optionally be used to monitor the status of EEPROM programming activity. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

DAC 4 Click top side image
DAC 4 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Clicker 4 for STM32F3 is a compact development board designed as a complete solution, you can use it to quickly build your own gadgets with unique functionalities. Featuring a STM32F302VCT6, four mikroBUS™ sockets for Click boards™ connectivity, power managment, and more, it represents a perfect solution for the rapid development of many different types of applications. At its core, there is a STM32F302VCT6 MCU, a powerful microcontroller by STMicroelectronics, based on the high-

performance Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit processor core operating at up to 168 MHz frequency. It provides sufficient processing power for the most demanding tasks, allowing Clicker 4 to adapt to any specific application requirements. Besides two 1x20 pin headers, four improved mikroBUS™ sockets represent the most distinctive connectivity feature, allowing access to a huge base of Click boards™, growing on a daily basis. Each section of Clicker 4 is clearly marked, offering an intuitive and clean interface. This makes working with the development

board much simpler and thus, faster. The usability of Clicker 4 doesn’t end with its ability to accelerate the prototyping and application development stages: it is designed as a complete solution which can be implemented directly into any project, with no additional hardware modifications required. Four mounting holes [4.2mm/0.165”] at all four corners allow simple installation by using mounting screws. For most applications, a nice stylish casing is all that is needed to turn the Clicker 4 development board into a fully functional, custom design.

CLICKER 4 for STM32F302VCT6 double image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

STM32F302VC Image

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M4

MCU Memory (KB)

256

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

40960

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Multipurpose Pin
PE9
PWM
Data Ready
PD0
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB10
SCL
I2C Data
PB11
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

DAC 4 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

PIC32MZ MXS Data Capture Board front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the CLICKER 4 for STM32F302VCT6 as your development board.

PIC32MZ MXS Data Capture Board front image hardware assembly
Thermo 21 Click front image hardware assembly
Thermo 21 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product6 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
PIC32MZ MXS Data Capture Board NECTO MCU Selection Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto image step 11 hardware assembly

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for DAC 4 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • dac4_voltage_reference_set - Setting channel voltage reference values

  • dac4_gain_set - Writing channel gain values

  • dac4_data_report - Reading channel data and forming reports

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief Dac4 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This application enables usage of digital to analog converter.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes I2C driver, executes general call reset and wake up commands.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Changes the output voltage of channels every 3 seconds, and displays
 * the channels status on the USB UART.
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "dac4.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static dac4_t dac4;
static log_t logger;

// ------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

void dac4_log_report ( uint8_t channel_no )
{
    dac4_channel_setting_t dac4_channel_buffer[ 8 ];

    dac4_data_report ( &dac4, dac4_channel_buffer );
    channel_no *= 2;
    
    log_printf( &logger, "--- Power ON bit: " );
    switch ( dac4_channel_buffer[ channel_no ].por_bit )
    {
        case 0:
        {
            log_printf( &logger,"Power OFF\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case 1:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "Power ON\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        default :
        {
            break;
        }
    }

    log_printf( &logger, "--- V reference    : " );
    switch ( dac4_channel_buffer[ channel_no ].voltage_reference )
    {
        case DAC4_VREF_EXTERNAL:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "External\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case DAC4_VREF_INTERNAL:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "Internal\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        default :
        {
            break;
        }
    }

    log_printf( &logger, "--- Power mode     : " );
    switch ( dac4_channel_buffer[ channel_no ].power_mode )
    {
        case DAC4_MODE_NORMAL:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "Normal\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case DAC4_MODE_1kOhm:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "1 kOhm\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case DAC4_MODE_100kOhm:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "100 kOhm\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case DAC4_MODE_500kOhm:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "500 kOhm\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        default :
        {
            break;
        }
    }

    log_printf( &logger, "--- Gain value     : " );
    switch ( dac4_channel_buffer[ channel_no ].gain_value )
    {
        case DAC4_MODE_NORMAL:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "1x Gain\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case DAC4_MODE_1kOhm:
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "2x Gain\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        default :
        {
            break;
        }
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, "--- DAC input data : %d  [0-4095]\r\n", dac4_channel_buffer[ channel_no ].dac_input_data );
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------------------\r\n" );
}

void dac4_set_output ( uint8_t channel_set )
{
    dac4_channel_setting_t dac4_channel_x;
    static uint16_t aux_dac_input_data = 0;
    
    dac4_channel_x.channel_select = channel_set;
    dac4_channel_x.udac_bit = DAC4_UPDATE;
    dac4_channel_x.voltage_reference = DAC4_VREF_EXTERNAL;
    dac4_channel_x.power_mode = DAC4_MODE_NORMAL;
    dac4_channel_x.gain_value = DAC4_GAIN_x1;
    dac4_channel_x.dac_input_data = aux_dac_input_data;

    if ( 0 != dac4_single_write( &dac4, &dac4_channel_x ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "--- Fatal ERROR !!! \r\n" );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "------------------------------------- \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "--- Output setup done \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "------------------------------------- \r\n" );
        aux_dac_input_data += 500;
        if ( aux_dac_input_data > 4095 )
        {
            aux_dac_input_data = 0;
        }
    }
}

void dac4_channel_report ( )
{
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n -----> Channel A \r\n" );
    dac4_set_output( DAC4_CHANNEL_A );
    dac4_log_report( 0 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n -----> Channel B \r\n" );
    dac4_set_output( DAC4_CHANNEL_B );
    dac4_log_report( 1 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n -----> Channel C \r\n" );
    dac4_set_output( DAC4_CHANNEL_C );
    dac4_log_report( 2 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n -----> Channel D \r\n" );
    dac4_set_output( DAC4_CHANNEL_D );
    dac4_log_report( 3 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
}

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    dac4_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );

    //  Click initialization.

    dac4_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    DAC4_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    dac4_init( &dac4, &cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application ----" );

    Delay_ms ( 500 );
    dac4_general_call_reset( &dac4 );
    Delay_ms ( 500 );
    dac4_general_call_wake_up( &dac4 );
    Delay_ms ( 500 );

    log_printf( &logger, "--- App init done \r\n \r\n" );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    dac4_channel_report( );
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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