Intermediate
30 min

Create precise time intervals with DS1087L and ATmega328P

Accurate square wave generator

Clock Gen 2 Click with Arduino UNO Rev3

Published Feb 14, 2024

Click board™

Clock Gen 2 Click

Dev. board

Arduino UNO Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega328P

Elevate your engineering solution with a cutting-edge clock generator, delivering reliable and efficient timing signals

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Clock Gen 2 Click is based on the DS1087, a 3.3V spread-spectrum EconOscillator from Analog Devices. This IC is factory-produced with a range of different master clock frequencies, ranging from 33.3 MHz, up to 66.6 MHz, with variable spread spectrum percentages. The IC on the Clock Gen 2 click has the master clock fixed to 66.6 MHz, allowing the frequency range from 260 kHz to 66.6 MHz. This IC uses the clock prescaler from 2 0 to 2 8 to achieve frequencies different from the master frequency. By selecting the spread-spectrum percentage, it is possible to avoid the generation of too much EMI, which otherwise might violate the FCC/IEC regulations. As mentioned, the internal clock frequency that the DS1087 generates is 66.6MHz. The master clock is frequency-modulated by the internal triangle wave generator. The main oscillator frequency can be dithered below the maximum frequency by a selectable ratio. A bit in the prescaler register determines the spread-spectrum dither range, which can be selected between 2% and 4%

under the main clock frequency. The IC pin labeled as SPRD is routed to the mikroBUS™ PWM pin. A logic HIGH level on this pin enables the spread-spectrum function. The DS1087LU is equipped with non-volatile memory locations (EEPROM) to store the content of all the configuration registers. Writing data to the configuration registers can be automatically mirrored to the EEPROM. This is controlled by the Write Control bit (WC). It allows automatically storing data to EEPROM after each register change (WC = 0, default) or storing the config data manually by issuing the WRITE EE command (WC = 1). This feature allows the configuration to be remembered between the POR (Power ON Reset) cycles. The output Enable (OE) pin allows the output clock to be turned off at the output pin. A logic HIGH level on this pin turns off the clock output. However, this will not turn off the internal master clock generator, so the IC will still drain the power necessary to work. To completely put the device in a power-down mode, another pin is

used: a logic LOW level on the PDN pin shuts down the master oscillator, draining less current from the power source. The OE pin is routed to the mikroBUS™ CS pin and is labeled as OE, while the PDN pin is routed to the RST pin of the mikroBUS™ and is labeled as PDN. These signals are synchronized with the internal master clock, preventing glitches at the output. The clock output signal is at the SMA connector on the Click board™. This connector protects the high-frequency clock signal and further reduces EMI. It also provides reliable contact with the least possible losses. The clock output signal amplitude is 2.4V, which makes this Click board™ usable with most 3.3V operated MCUs and other devices. The standardized I2C interface allows this Click board™ to be interfaced with a wide range of devices. I2C clock and data pins of the IC (SCL and SDA) are routed to the appropriate mikroBUS™ pins, allowing simple and reliable interfacing.

Clock Gen 2 Click top side image
Clock Gen 2 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Arduino UNO is a versatile microcontroller board built around the ATmega328P chip. It offers extensive connectivity options for various projects, featuring 14 digital input/output pins, six of which are PWM-capable, along with six analog inputs. Its core components include a 16MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an

ICSP header, and a reset button, providing everything necessary to power and program the board. The Uno is ready to go, whether connected to a computer via USB or powered by an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. As the first USB Arduino board, it serves as the benchmark for the Arduino platform, with "Uno" symbolizing its status as the

first in a series. This name choice, meaning "one" in Italian, commemorates the launch of Arduino Software (IDE) 1.0. Initially introduced alongside version 1.0 of the Arduino Software (IDE), the Uno has since become the foundational model for subsequent Arduino releases, embodying the platform's evolution.

Arduino UNO Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

28

RAM (Bytes)

2048

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino UNO has two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino UNO board without effort. The Arduino Uno, a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P, provides an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new concepts and build prototypes with the ATmega328P microcontroller from various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The Arduino Uno has 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and reset button. Most of the ATmega328P microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino UNO board with our Click Shield for Arduino UNO, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Power Down
PD2
RST
Output Enable
PB2
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Dither Enable
PD6
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PC5
SCL
I2C Data
PC4
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Clock Gen 2 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino UNO Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 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 image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Arduino UNO 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

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 Clock Gen 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • clockgen2_output_enable - Function for enabling/disabling of the clock output

  • clockgen2_auto_setting_preserve - Function used for enabling/disabling auto settings preservation

  • clockgen2_set_prescaler - Function for setting the main clock prescaler

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 ClockGen2 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This application enables generation of square waved clock signal in range from 260 kHz to 66,6 MHz
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Driver initialization.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Changes the prescaler and enables/disables the clock output.
 * 
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "clockgen2.h"

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

static clockgen2_t clockgen2;
static log_t logger;

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

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    clockgen2_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.

    clockgen2_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    CLOCKGEN2_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    clockgen2_init( &clockgen2, &cfg );

    Delay_ms(100);
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    //  Task implementation.

    char i;
     
     for ( i = 5; i< 8; i++ )
     {
       clockgen2_set_prescaler( &clockgen2, i );
       clockgen2_output_enable( &clockgen2, 1 );
       Delay_ms( 2000 );

       clockgen2_output_enable( &clockgen2, 0 );
       Delay_ms( 2000 );
     }
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

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


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

Additional Support

Resources

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