Intermediate
30 min

Decode, express, and amplify data across diverse applications with MCP4728 and PIC18F57Q43

Empower data expression

DAC 4 Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Feb 13, 2024

Click board™

DAC 4 Click

Dev. board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

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

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate microcontrollers within the PIC18-Q43 family. Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F57Q43 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive

mechanical user switch, providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI

GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options. Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 1.8V to 5.1V, with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

48

RAM (Bytes)

8196

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

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
PB0
PWM
Data Ready
PA6
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB2
SCL
I2C Data
PB1
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

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47Q10 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 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
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step 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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