Testing the Performance of $2.97 ADS1115 ADC Modules
By
jamesbowman
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
The article examines the performance and value of extremely cheap ADS1115 ADC modules priced at $2.97, comparing them to built-in microcontroller ADCs. The author tests these suspiciously inexpensive dedicated ADCs from TI, noting their 16-bit accuracy claims and dynamic range features that provide finer measurement for small amplitude voltages. The piece explores whether such low-cost components can deliver on their specifications and discusses the ADS1115's programmable features.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledFor almost all of my embedded work I've used the ADCs included with microcontrollers. These are cheap, relatively fast, and not particularly good.
While they sport impressive-sounding 12- and 16-bit readouts, the effective number of bits (ENOB) is usually around 8 or 9.
One really cool thing about the ADS111x family is a dynamic range feature that gives you up to 20 times finer measurement for small amplitude voltages.
It's a dedicated ADC from TI module which plausibly delivers 16 bit accuracy.
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