ADC values suddenly erratic and highly variable when previously stable (Nucleo-F446RE)

[FM96]

I am working on an isolated monitoring system for currents, voltages, and heatsink temperatures, and am using the ADCS on the Nucelo-F446RE to take the readings. Initially testing was going well demonstrating good linearity and accuracy across a range of set-values. However, after having reworked one of my temperature channels, and making minor adjustments to the configuration of the Nucleo board to configure it to read a different ADC channel, the values collected by the ADC suddenly became very erratic (inaccurate) and imprecise (larger range). 

For example, in the attachments I have included x2 sets of values collected before and after the issue started to occur. A quick summary of the full results can be seen the the table below 

Pre Issue	Raw Value	3.3V Ref EQ	60V Full Scale EQ	Error vs Ideal (%)	Post Issue	Raw Value	3.3V Ref EQ	60V Full Scale EQ	Error vs Ideal (%)
Average =	1946.963	1.568598	28.51996	95.06653		Average =	2155.344	1.736483	31.57242	105.2414
High =	2044	1.646777	29.94141	99.80469		High =	4095	3.299194	59.98535	199.9512
Low =	1898	1.52915	27.80273	92.67578		Low =	0	0	0	0
Ideal =	2047	1.65	30			Ideal =	2047	1.65	30
Total Full Scale EQ range (V) =	2.138672					Total Full Scale EQ range (V) =	59.98535

 

 

 

Vin Full scale = 0 - 60V

Vin Scaled (potential divider) = 0 - 3.3V 

Expected Raw Value  = 2047 (+/- 6%) (Using a linear optocoupler for isolation which can have a max offset of approx. 6%)

 

ADC Clk = 0.6 MHz = (PCLK2 = 4.8 MHz / 8) 

Sampling time 480 Cycles. 

 

The issues exists across all channels, even when using multimeter and oscilloscope does not reveal any signs of instability, making me think I may have somehow damaged the Nucleo board. During testing it has been powered via USB connection and used off board with flying leads connecting the Nucleo board to the relevant pin on the hardware PCB. 

I have uploaded circuit diagrams for reference. 

What may I have unknowingly done to damage the or alter the ADC performance, and can this be corrected without a new Nucleo board? The only "abuse" or "mistreatment" I can recall it being subject to is that I have unplugged the board from the USB connection to my computer whilst debugging. Can that really cause this sort of issue?

Thanks

Thanks

[KnarfB]

The "after" values in the .xlsx increase almost linearly over time? Something charging?

You may do periodic V_REFINT channel measuements or use some known good external V source for cross checking accuracy.

hth

KnarfB 

[FM96]

Hi KnarfB, 

Sorry I should've mentioned but those values were sorted from smallest to largest, so not in chronological order. 

I will try to check the V_REFINT value to ensure it is at its expected value to see if this could be causing the unstable ADC behaviour. 

Thanks

[Andrew Neil]

---

@FM96 wrote:

making me think I may have somehow damaged the Nucleo board.

---

So what happens if you re-load the software from before your changes?

If that still operates as it did before, then the hardware must still be OK ... 

 

---

@FM96 wrote:

flying leads connecting the Nucleo board to the relevant pin on the hardware PCB. 

---

Have you checked all those carefully for loose/broken connections - including grounds ?

[FM96]

Hi Andrew, 

I had reloaded the software that was working fine, then the issues occurred which is why I was confused/concerned. 

I thought I had checked all the connections and grounds, but on 2nd inspection, realised my ground connection between PCB and Nucleo board was loose. Thanks for the tip, I might've been there a lot longer scratching my head