Qwiic 12-Bit ADC Hookup Guide

Contributors: QCPete, santaimpersonator

Arduino Library

We've written a library to easily get setup and take readings from the Qwiic 12-bit ADC. However, before we jump into getting data from the sensor, let's take a closer look at the available functions in the library. You can install this library through the Arduino Library Manager. Search for SparkFun ADS1015 Arduino Library and you should be able to install the latest version. If you prefer manually downloading the libraries from the GitHub repository, you can grab them here:

Let's get started by looking at the functions that set up the Qwiic 12-bit ADC.

Setup and Settings

.begin() or .begin(i2caddr, Wire)
Creates a connection to an I²C device over the I²C bus using the default or specified I²C address.

.isConnected()
Checks to see if a device over the I²C bus is connected. Returns boolean true or false depending on if the slave device has correctly ack'd to an I²C request.

.setMode(uint16_t mode)
Set the read mode of the sensor (continuous or single-shot).

.getMode()
Returns which read mode you are currently in: continuous (0) or single-shot (1).

.setGain(uint16_t gain)
Sets the gain of the programmable gain amplifier (PGA) inside the ADS1015. Note, this gain amplifier is located just before the ADC converter, so it greatly effects your readings and can cause your readings to "max out". Pass in one of the following #define "variables" from the library to easily set the gain.

.getGain()
Returns the gain of the programmable gain amplifier (PGA) inside the ADS1015. This returns a 16-bit hex value. The values and their corresponding gains and voltage ranges are as follows.

.setSampleRate(uint16_t sampleRate)
Sets the sample rate of the ADS1015. Use the following #define variables.

.setComparatorSingleEnded(uint8_t channel, int16_t threshold)
Sets up a single ended comparator that will effect the ALERT pin on the ADS1015 (active LOW by default) when a reading above the threshold is read. Note, you must call .getLastConversionResults() for this to reset. See Example5_Alert.ino in the library for more info.

.getSampleRate()
Returns the sample rate of the ADS1015 as an unassigned 16-bit integer value. The values and their corresponding sample rates are as follows.

These functions are used primarily for use with the Qwiic Flex Glove Controller (which uses the same Arduino library). Please see the Qwiic Flex Glove Controller hookup guide for more information.

• .getAnalogData()
• .getScaledAnalogData()
• .calibrate()
• .setCalibration()
• .getCalibration()
• .resetCalibration()

Readings

.getSingleEnded(uint8_t channel);
Returns the single ended analog value from the sensor on the specified channel.

.getDifferential() or .getDifferential(uint8_t channel)
Returns a signed differential analog value from the sensor on the specified pairs of channels. If no argument is passed, then it will use the default pair of channels (A0 and A1).