Interfacing of NTC thermistor with microcontroller

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around interfacing an NTC thermistor with a microcontroller, specifically focusing on the voltage output at 25°C and discrepancies in expected values. Participants explore calculations, circuit schematics, and potential sources of error in the voltage readings.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the expected voltage output at 25°C to be 1.05V based on a 10K NTC thermistor, while another source states it should be 1.4V.
  • Questions arise regarding the connections and specifications of the "Temperature feedback" net and the relevant circuit schematics from the ST website.
  • Another participant suggests that the ADC input should have high impedance, which may explain the differing voltage readings.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of the thermistor specifications and the possibility of human error in documentation.
  • One participant proposes that the observed voltage discrepancy could be attributed to tolerances in the NTC thermistor, which are often rated ±10% to ±20%.
  • Speculation exists regarding whether the 1.4V noted might refer to a maximum voltage at a different temperature (e.g., 70°C) rather than at 25°C.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the accuracy of the voltage readings and the specifications of the thermistor. There is no consensus on the cause of the discrepancies, and multiple competing hypotheses are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of specific thermistor part numbers and specifications, as well as the potential for errors in documentation. The discussion highlights the complexity of interpreting voltage outputs in relation to temperature readings.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals working with thermistors in microcontroller applications, particularly those interested in circuit design, voltage calculations, and troubleshooting discrepancies in expected outputs.

PhysicsTest
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Homework Statement
I want to understand the circuit for the NTC interfacing with the microcontroller
Relevant Equations
Voltage divider equation = V*R2/(R1+R2)
I am trying to understand a circuit where the NTC thermistor is interfaced with micro controller, but i am not able to understand the voltage output at 25DegC. According to the ST website the output of the circuit is 1.4V but as per my calculations it is 1.05V, i am not sure why. Please help.
1672152854535.png

My understanding is since it is 10K NTC thermistor at 25DegC the resistance is 10K. Is this assumption correct?
V_TempFeedback = 3.3 * 4.7/(10+4.7) = 3.3*4.7/14.7 = 1.055V.
 
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What is connected to the "Temperature feedback" net? Can you post a link to the ST website where they show this circuit? Thanks.
 
What schematic page has that circuit, and where do they calculate the 25C expected voltage?
 
Page no 6 and 4 to the micro. There is a software to be installed motor workbench in that it shows
1672154796997.png
 
What are the input characteristics of that B14 ADC input?
 
I never checked that i will check and update.
 
I guess if it's just an ADC input, it should be pretty high impedance compared to the NTC circuit. I don't have any ideas why they show a different value of the voltage divider output...
 
1) Your voltage divider calculation is correct, for the circuit as shown.
2) 10Kohm @ 25C is an extremely common thermistor value.
3) 1.4V to the ADC would correspond to 6.38Kohm for the thermistor. Assuming a high impedance input, which is almost always true.
4) I am suspicious of the "NTC thermistor info" given. Thermistors aren't specified by a voltage value unless an associated circuit is given. Whoever wrote this part seems to care more about software than hardware.
5) People/Companies make mistakes. Things can be misinterpreted.
6) You are stuck without a thermistor part number and a specification. Either you or ST is reporting inconsistent information. We can't figure it out either, without a research project that we all are unlikely to take on.
 
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  • #10
If two changes were made to the circuit, ST engineers would almost certainly have checked the numbers. So I look for single changes that could explain the difference.

If a different supply voltage to 3.3 volt, had been used, then Vs = 4.375 volt.
That is too far from any regular voltage, so is most unlikely.

If a different value fixed resistor had been used, then Rf = 7.368k
That is not an E value I recognise, so I keep the value 4k7.

If a different value thermistor had been used, then Rt = 6.378k @ 25 °C.
A value most unexpected for a thermistor.

So I can see no single change to the circuit that plausibly explains the change.
That only leaves us with a hypothetical error by a human.

1.4 only contains two significant digits. The A-D should give 3 digits.
What if the voltage had been read by the A-D converter as 1.04 volts.
Given a temperature error, that is close to the calculated 1.055 volts.
Then a typo removed the 0 to make it 1.4 volts in the documentation.
 
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  • #11
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  • #12
I tried searching for another evaluation board to compare it, i found some useful information. On page14 found the following information
The document link evspin
1672239159896.png

1672239196029.png


If i do the calculations as per the equation
T = R40 = 4.7K = 4700
VREFP = 3.3V
VPC4 = 1.05V (as per ST it was 1.4V
then i get around 23.85DegC more or less equal to 25DegC.
 
  • #13
You might also check the tolerance of the NTC, they are often rated ±10% to ±20%. That would certainly cover the observed "error."
 
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  • #14
Tom.G said:
You might also check the tolerance of the NTC, they are often rated ±10% to ±20%. That would certainly cover the observed "error."
Except that there are no observations in this case. It's all paperwork so far, I think.
 
  • #15
Wait, is the original note maybe saying that it's 1.4Vmax @ 70C? (to be sure the ADC input voltage is within its valid range)

1672327537186.png
 
  • #16
berkeman said:
Wait, is the original note maybe saying that it's 1.4Vmax @ 70C? (to be sure the ADC input voltage is within its valid range)

View attachment 319509
I read that as the maximum thermistor temperature.

Additionally supported by post #12 above.
 

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