Create the ultimate solution for signal magnification with MCP6S21 and ATmega328
Amplify with precision
Published Feb 14, 2024
Click board™
GainAMP 2 click
Dev Board
Arduino UNO Rev3
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
ATmega328
Whether you're working with audio, sensor data, or other low-level signals, our 6-channel programmable gain amplifier is an ideal solution for boosting and optimizing signal quality
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
GainAMP 2 Click is based on the MCP6S21, a rail-to-rail I/O, low noise programmable gain amplifier (PGA) from Microchip. This integrated circuit features six multiplexed non-inverting inputs, with a gain that can be programmed via the SPI interface for each input individually. The channels CH0 to CH5 are the six input channels connected to the external signal sources. The internal multiplexer selects the channel that is gained and sent to the output pin. The gain stage of the MCP6S21 has eight different discrete steps of gain: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, and 32V/V. The rail-to-rail inputs and outputs accept voltage levels up to VCC with no distortions or phase shifting. The output voltage is offset by the resistor ladder network on
the output stage and the voltage on the voltage reference pin. Besides the VOUT pin on the ten-pole I/O connector, the MCP6S21 output pin is also routed to the AN pin of the mikroBUS™ so it can be used as the input signal for the ADC. This allows the amplified signal to be easily digitalized and processed by the MCU. Using the click board in this configuration effectively turns the GainAMP 2 click into an analog port expander with the selectable gain on its inputs. The MCP6S21 device can be put in a shutdown mode by setting the appropriate bits of the internal register via the SPI interface. While in shutdown mode, the power consumption is minimal. The device stays in Shutdown mode until a valid command is received
via the SPI. While in the shutdown mode, the device remembers the states of the internal registers, so when it awakens, it will resume working as before. The internal registers can be easily accessed by using MIKROE library functions. More information about the registers and their settings can be found in the MCP6S21 datasheet. 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. However, the 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.
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.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
AVR
MCU Memory (KB)
32
Silicon Vendor
Microchip
Pin count
32
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.
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino UNO Rev3 as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output
After loading the code example, pressing the "DEBUG" button builds and programs it on the selected setup.
After programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions available in the IDE appears. By clicking the green "PLAY "button, we start reading the results achieved with Click board™.
Upon completion of programming, the Application Output tab is automatically opened, where the achieved result can be read. In case of an inability to perform the Debug function, check if a proper connection between the MCU used by the setup and the CODEGRIP programmer has been established. A detailed explanation of the CODEGRIP-board connection can be found in the CODEGRIP User Manual. Please find it in the RESOURCES section.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for GainAMP 2 Click driver.
Key functions:
gainamp2_set_channel_gain- Set the channel gaingainamp2_get_voltage- Return voltage measured from VOUT pingainamp2_write_Command- Send Command
Open Source
Code example
This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.
/*!
* \file
* \brief GainAmp2 Click example
*
* # Description
* This application is programmable gain amplifier
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes and sets GainAMP 2 click channel 0 to amplify the signal 2 times
*
* ## Application Task
* Displays the voltage measured from VOUT pin
*
* \author MikroE Team
*
*/
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "gainamp2.h"
// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES
static gainamp2_t gainamp2;
static log_t logger;
// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg;
gainamp2_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.
gainamp2_cfg_setup( &cfg );
GAINAMP2_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
gainamp2_init( &gainamp2, &cfg );
gainamp2_set_channel_gain ( &gainamp2, GAINAMP2_CH0, GAINAMP2_GAIN_2X );
log_printf( &logger,"Channel 0 - aplified 2x \r\n" );
}
void application_task( void )
{
log_printf( &logger,"Voltage at VOUT: %f \r\n", gainamp2_get_voltage( &gainamp2 ) );
log_printf( &logger,"------------------------------- \r\n " );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
}
void main ( void )
{
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
