AN2834 Datasheet, PDF (1/45 Pages) STMicroelectronics – How to get the best ADC accuracy in STM32Fx Series and STM32L1 Series devices

AN2834
Application note
How to get the best ADC accuracy in STM32Fx Series and
STM32L1 Series devices
Introduction
The STM32Fx Series and STM32L1 Series microcontroller families embed up to four
advanced 12-bit ADCs (depending on the device). A self-calibration feature is provided to
enhance ADC accuracy versus environmental condition changes.
In applications involving analog-to-digital conversion, ADC accuracy has an impact on the
overall system quality and efficiency. To improve this accuracy, you need to understand the
errors associated with the ADC and the parameters affecting them.
ADC accuracy does not depend on ADC performance and features alone, it depends on the
overall application design around the ADC.
This application note aims to help understanding of ADC errors and how to enhance ADC
accuracy. It is divided into three main parts:
 a simplified description of ADC internal structure to aid understanding of ADC operation
and related ADC parameters
 explanations of the different types and sources of ADC errors related to the ADC design
and to external ADC parameters such as the external hardware design
 recommendations on how to minimize these errors, focusing on hardware and software
methods
This document applies to the products listed in Table 1 which are referred to as STM32x
throughout this document.
Product family
Microcontrollers
Table 1. Applicable products
Part numbers
– STM32F0xx
– STM32F1xx
– STM32F2xx
– STM32F3xx
– STM32F4xx
– STM32L1xx
September 2013
DocID15067 Rev 2
1/45
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