Figure 52. Fast PWM Mode, Timing Diagram
OCRnx / TOP Update
and TOVn Interrupt Flag
Set and OCnA Interrupt
Flag Set or ICFn
Interrupt Flag Set
(Interrupt on TOP)
TCNTn
(COMnx1:0 = 2)
(COMnx1:0 = 3)
OCnx
OCnx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Period
The Timer/Counter Overflow Flag (TOVn) is set each time the counter reaches TOP. In addition
the OCnA or ICFn flag is set at the same timer clock cycle as TOVn is set when either OCRnA or
ICRn is used for defining the TOP value. If one of the interrupts are enabled, the interrupt han-
dler routine can be used for updating the TOP and compare values.
When changing the TOP value the program must ensure that the new TOP value is higher or
equal to the value of all of the compare registers. If the TOP value is lower than any of the com-
pare registers, a compare match will never occur between the TCNTn and the OCRnx. Note that
when using fixed TOP values the unused bits are masked to zero when any of the OCRnx Reg-
isters are written.
The procedure for updating ICRn differs from updating OCRnA when used for defining the TOP
value. The ICRn Register is not double buffered. This means that if ICRn is changed to a low
value when the counter is running with none or a low prescaler value, there is a risk that the new
ICRn value written is lower than the current value of TCNTn. The result will then be that the
counter will miss the compare match at the TOP value. The counter will then have to count to the
MAX value (0xFFFF) and wrap around starting at 0x0000 before the compare match can occur.
The OCRnA Register however, is double buffered. This feature allows the OCRnA I/O location
to be written anytime. When the OCRnA I/O location is written the value written will be put into
the OCRnA buffer Register. The OCRnA Compare Register will then be updated with the value
in the buffer register at the next timer clock cycle the TCNTn matches TOP. The update is done
at the same timer clock cycle as the TCNTn is cleared and the TOVn flag is set.
Using the ICRn Register for defining TOP works well when using fixed TOP values. By using
ICRn, the OCRnA Register is free to be used for generating a PWM output on OCnA. However,
if the base PWM frequency is actively changed (by changing the TOP value), using the OCRnA
as TOP is clearly a better choice due to its double buffer feature.
In fast PWM mode, the compare units allow generation of PWM waveforms on the OCnx pins.
Setting the COMnx1:0 bits to 2 will produce a non-inverted PWM and an inverted PWM output
can be generated by setting the COMnx1:0 to 3 (See Table 59 on page 134). The actual OCnx
value will only be visible on the port pin if the data direction for the port pin is set as output
(DDR_OCnx). The PWM waveform is generated by setting (or clearing) the OCnx Register at
the compare match between OCRnx and TCNTn, and clearing (or setting) the OCnx Register at
the timer clock cycle the counter is cleared (changes from TOP to BOTTOM).
126
ATmega128(L)
2467P–AVR–08/07
ATMEL [ ATMEL ]
