This application note documents a method of extending digital input using the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of a microcontroller unit (MCU). Many MCU applications require digital input and arbitration. For example, determining which key of a keypad was pressed. This is commonly done by arranging switches in a matrix configuration, connecting to a series of digital input pins, and reading a digital input data register to determine which key was pressed. While this method is easily implemented, it does require the use of an MCU’s parallel port pins.