Beginner
10 min

Convert digital information into adjustable electrical signals with MCP4921 and TM4C1294NCZAD

Help your projects understand and work with different kinds of signals more accurately

DAC Click with Fusion for Tiva v8

Published Aug 13, 2023

Click board™

DAC Click

Dev. board

Fusion for Tiva v8

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

TM4C1294NCZAD

Convert digital signals into analog insights across various applications. Experience the transformation of raw data into actionable understanding with unparalleled precision.

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

DAC Click is based on the MCP4921, a 12-bit DAC with an SPI interface from Microchip. It utilizes a resistive string architecture, with its inherent advantages of low DNL error, low ratio metric temperature coefficient, and fast settling time over an extended temperature range. The analog output is provided on the VOUT screw terminal. The VOUT can swing from approximately 0V to approximately VCC voltage, in the case of this Click board™, 3.3V or 5V. The analog signal on the reference pin of the MCP4921 is utilized to set the reference voltage on

the string DAC. The reference voltage can be selected between the VCC and the 4.096V given by the MCP1541 via the REF SEL jumper. DAC Click uses the SPI serial interface over the mikroBUS™ socket to communicate with the host MCU, with 20MHz clock support. The 12-bit data is sent to the DAC through the SPI interface. This interface is also used to enter the Shutdown mode, during which the supply current is isolated from most of the internal circuitry. The Power-on-Reset (POR) circuit allows the device to continue to have a

high-impedance output until a valid command is performed to the DAC registers, thus ensuring a reliable power-up. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the PWR 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 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Fusion for TIVA v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports a wide range of microcontrollers, such as different 32-bit ARM® Cortex®-M based MCUs from Texas Instruments, regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer over a WiFi network. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, Fusion for TIVA v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access

anywhere and under any circumstances at any time. Each part of the Fusion for TIVA v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module offers many valuable programming/debugging options, including support for JTAG, SWD, and SWO Trace (Single Wire Output)), and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides, it also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Communication options such as USB-UART, USB HOST/DEVICE, CAN (on the MCU card, if supported), and Ethernet is also included. In addition, it also has the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, a standardized socket for the MCU card (SiBRAIN standard), and two display options for the TFT board line of products and character-based LCD. Fusion for TIVA v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

Fusion for Tiva v8 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Type

8th Generation

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M4

MCU Memory (KB)

1024

Silicon Vendor

Texas Instruments

Pin count

212

RAM (Bytes)

262144

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
SPI Chip Select
PE7
CS
SPI Clock
PA2
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PA5
MISO
SPI Data IN
PA4
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

DAC Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Fusion for PIC v8 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Fusion for Tiva v8 as your development board.

Fusion for PIC v8 front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
SiBRAIN for PIC32MZ1024EFK144 front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
v8 SiBRAIN Access MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto image step 7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for DAC Click driver.

Key functions:

  • dac_set_voltage_pct - This function is used to set output voltage in percents

  • dac_set_voltage - This function is used to set output voltage

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 Dac Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This demo example sends digital signal to the outputs 
 * and converts it to analog.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes driver, SPI communication and LOG.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Sends different values( form 0 to 4095 with step 1000 ) to output and 
 * prints expected measurement.
 * 
 * \author Jovan Stajkovic
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "dac.h"

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

static dac_t dac;
static log_t logger;
static uint32_t dac_val;

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


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

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    dac_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.

    dac_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    DAC_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    dac_init( &dac, &cfg );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    //  Task implementation.    
    for ( dac_val = 0; dac_val <= DAC_RESOLUTION; dac_val += DAC_STEP_VALUE )
    {
        dac_set_voltage( &dac, dac_val );
        dac_val *= DAC_CALIB_VAL_1;
        dac_val /= DAC_CALIB_VAL_2;
        log_printf( &logger, " Current DAC Value: %d mV \r\n", dac_val );

        log_printf( &logger, "----------------------------------\r\n" );

        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; )
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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