MCP_DAC

Arduino library for Microchip SPI DAC's: 8, 10, 12 bits, 1, 2 channel.

Description

The MCP_DAC is a library for DAC's from Microchip in the MCP48xx en MCP49xx series. The library is not tested with all different devices however stable.

Please post an issue if there are problems with a specific device.

The output voltage of the MCP_DAC depends on the voltage supplied, which is in the range of 2.7V .. 5.5V. Check datasheet for the details.

0.5.0 Breaking change

Version 0.5.0 introduced a breaking change to improve handling the SPI dependency. The user has to call SPI.begin() or equivalent before calling MCP.begin(). Optionally the user can provide parameters to the SPI.begin(...)

0.4.0 Breaking change

The version 0.4.0 has breaking changes in the interface. The rationale is that the programming environment of the Arduino ESP32 S3 board uses a remapping by means of the include file io_pin_remap.h. This file remaps the pins of several core Arduino functions. The remapping is implemented by #define macros and these implement "hard" text replacements without considering context. The effect is that methods from this class (and several others) which have the same name as those Arduino core functions will be remapped into something not working.

The following library functions have been renamed:

0.3.0 breaking change

The version 0.3.0 has breaking changes in the interface. The essence is that the dependency of Wire (ESP32 / RP2040) is removed from the library. This makes it possible to support the ESP32-S3 and other processors in the future. Also it makes the library a bit simpler to maintain.

Related

• https://github.com/RobTillaart/MCP_ADC
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/DAC8550 1 channel, 16 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/DAC8551 1 channel, 16 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/DAC8552 2 channel, 16 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/DAC8554 4 channel, 16 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/MCP_DAC 1, 2 channel, 8,10,12 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/AD5680 (18 bit DAC)
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/MAX520 I2C, 4, 8 channel, 8 bit
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/MCP4725 I2C, 1 channel, 12 bit

Interface

#include "MCP_DAC.h"

Constructor

• MCP_DAC(SPIClassRP2040 *mySPI = &SPI) Constructor base class for RP2040, hardware SPI.
• MCP_DAC(SPIClass *mySPI = &SPI) Constructor base class other platforms, hardware SPI.
• MCP_DAC(uint8_t dataOut = 255, uint8_t clock = 255) Constructor base class, software SPI. Other devices just use their name as class object e.g. MCP4801() with same parameters.
• begin(uint8_t select) defines the select pin. The select pin is used for device selection in case of multiple SPI devices.
• uint8_t channels() returns the number of channels, 1 or 2. (note channel numbers are 0 or 1).
• uint16_t maxValue() returns the maximum value that can be set. This relates to the number of bits, see table above.

Gain

In reset() the gain is default set to 1x as that gives the lowest output voltages. This is the safest option, although datasheet 4.1.1.1 states default = 2x.

• bool setGain(uint8_t gain = 1) gain is 1 (default) or 2. Values of 0 or larger than 2 return false and won't change the current setting.
• uint8_t getGain() returns gain set, default 1.

Note: The analog output cannot go beyond the supply voltage.
So if Vref is connected to 5V, gain = 2 will not output 10 Volts.

Write

• bool write(uint16_t value, uint8_t channel = 0) writes value to channel. Default for channel 0 as that works for the single DAC devices. The value is limited to maxValue. Returns false in case of an invalid channel.
• uint16_t lastValue(uint8_t channel = 0) returns last written value. Default for channel 0 as that works for the single DAC devices.
• void setPercentage(float percentage, uint8_t channel = 0) percentage = 0..100.0%.
  Wrapper around write().
• float getPercentage(uint8_t channel = 0) returns percentage. Reads from cache.
• void fastWriteA(uint16_t value) faster version to write to channel 0. Does not check flags and does not update lastValue()
• void fastWriteB(uint16_t value) faster version to write to channel 1. Does not check flags and does not update lastValue()
• bool increment(uint8_t channel = 0) returns true if channel is incremented, false otherwise.
• bool decrement(uint8_t channel = 0) returns true if channel is decremented, false otherwise.

For fastest speed there is an example added MCP4921_standalone.ino. That squeezes the most performance out of it for now. Code for the other MCP4xxx can be written in same way.

Shutdown

• void shutDown() shuts down the device, optional one might need to triggerLatch().
• bool isActive() returns false if device is in shutdown mode. Note: any write() operation will set active to true again.

Hardware SPI

To be used only if one needs a specific speed. Check datasheet for details.

• void setSPIspeed(uint32_t speed) set SPI transfer rate.
• uint32_t getSPIspeed() returns SPI transfer rate.

LDAC

• void setLatchPin(uint8_t latchPin) defines the latchPin, this is optional. The latchPin is used for simultaneous setting a value in both DAC registers. It can also be used to synchronize the setting of multiple devices. Note the latchPin must be the same for all instances that need to be triggered together.
• triggerLatch() toggles the defined latchPin, and all devices that are connected to it.

Note: pre 0.2.0 versions have the LDAC signal incorrectly inverted.

Buffered

MCP49xxx series only, see page 20 ==> not functional for MCP48xx series.

• void setBufferedMode(bool mode = false) set buffered mode on/off. The default mode == false == unbuffered.
• bool getBufferedMode() returns set value.

Debug

• void reset() resets internal variables to initial value. (use with care!).
• bool usesHWSPI() returns true if HW SPI is used.

ESP32 specific

Several functions removed in 0.3.0 as they were too processor specific, and prevented support for the ESP32-S3.

ESP32 connections to MCP4922 (example)

ESP32 (first series) has four SPI peripherals from which two can be used.

SPI0 and SPI1 are used to access flash memory. SPI2 and SPI3 are "user" SPI controllers a.k.a. HSPI and VSPI.

By using different SELECT pins multiple DAC's can be controlled over one SPI bus.

The ESP32-S3 introduces user access to FSPI (which is reused from flash memory). Depending on ESP32 series e.g. HSPI is different, see code snippet below.

#if CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32C3 || CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S3
#define FSPI  0
#define HSPI  1  
#else  
#define FSPI  1 //SPI bus attached to the flash (can use the same data lines but different SS)  
#define HSPI  2 //SPI bus normally mapped to pins 12 - 15, but can be matrixed to any pins  
#if CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32  
#define VSPI  3 //SPI bus normally attached to pins 5, 18, 19 and 23, but can be matrixed to any pins  
#endif  
#endif

RP2040 specific

SPI port selection

The SPI Port selections happens in the hardware constructor with e.g. &SPI, &SPI1 etc. In pre-0.3.0 an experimental feature void setGPIOpins was supported to adjust the hardware pins however this should now be handled by the user outside the library.

Pico connections to MCP4922 (example)

The RP2040 has two SPI peripherals from which two can be used.

SPI (SPI0) and SPI1 can both be used to connect devices.

By using different SELECT pins multiple DAC's can be controlled over one SPI bus.

Operation

See examples

Future

Must

• test test test and ....
• improve documentation.

Should

Could

• functional names for magic masks.
• refactor the API (how).

Wont

• useSPI1 and useHSPI are functional identical indicators.
  • how to refactor to a generic model? Should work for all libraries.
  • int8_t HWSPIport = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, .... (-1 == SW SPI ?).
    • numbers are not self-documenting.
    • selectSPIport(int) ?
  • would reduce conditional code.
  • does not improve library

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