 #define GAIN6_REG 0x3E
 #define GAIN7_REG 0x3F
 #define IFMODE_REG 0x02
+#define STATUS_REG 0x00
 #define ADCMODE_REG 0x01
 #define OFFSET0_REG 0x30
 #define OFFSET1_REG 0x31


    byte id[2];
     /* read the ADC device ID */
    read_adc_register(ID_REG, id, 2);
    /* check if the id matches 0x30DX, where X is don't care */
    id[1] &= 0xF0;
    bool valid_id = id[0] == 0x30 && id[1] == 0xD0;

}

/*
===================================
reads the current data channel
@param byte - current data channel
@return int - error code
===================================
*/
int get_current_adc_data_channel(byte &channel) {
    byte value[1];
    /* read ADC status register */
    get_adc_register(STATUS_REG, value, 1);
    channel = value[0];
    /* return error code */
    return 0;
}

/*
============================================
initializes the SPI connection with the ADC
@return bool - is ADC ID valid
