Table 44. Definitions
BOTTOM The counter reaches the BOTTOM when it becomes 0x00.
MAX
TOP
The counter reaches its MAXimum when it becomes 0xFF (decimal 255).
The counter reaches the TOP when it becomes equal to the highest
value in the count sequence. The TOP value can be assigned to be the
fixed value 0xFF (MAX) or the value stored in the OCR0A Register. The
assignment is dependent on the mode of operation.
Registers
The Timer/Counter (TCNT0) and Output Compare Registers (OCR0A and OCR0B) are
8-bit registers. Interrupt request (abbreviated to Int.Req. in the figure) signals are all vis-
ible in the Timer Interrupt Flag Register (TIFR0). All interrupts are individually masked
with the Timer Interrupt Mask Register (TIMSK0). TIFR0 and TIMSK0 are not shown in
the figure.
The Timer/Counter can be clocked internally, via the prescaler, or by an external clock
source on the T0 pin. The Clock Select logic block controls which clock source and edge
the Timer/Counter uses to increment (or decrement) its value. The Timer/Counter is
inactive when no clock source is selected. The output from the Clock Select logic is
referred to as the timer clock (clkT0).
The double buffered Output Compare Registers (OCR0A and OCR0B) are compared
with the Timer/Counter value at all times. The result of the compare can be used by the
Waveform Generator to generate a PWM or variable frequency output on the Output
Compare pins (OC0A and OC0B). See “Using the Output Compare Unit” on page 114.
for details. The compare match event will also set the Compare Flag (OCF0A or
OCF0B) which can be used to generate an Output Compare interrupt request.
Timer/Counter Clock
Sources
The Timer/Counter can be clocked by an internal or an external clock source. The clock
source is selected by the Clock Select logic which is controlled by the Clock Select
(CS02:0) bits located in the Timer/Counter Control Register (TCCR0B). For details on
clock sources and prescaler, see “Timer/Counter0 and Timer/Counter1 Prescalers” on
page 102.
Counter Unit
The main part of the 8-bit Timer/Counter is the programmable bi-directional counter unit.
Figure 29 shows a block diagram of the counter and its surroundings.
Figure 29. Counter Unit Block Diagram
TOVn
(Int.Req.)
DATA BUS
Clock Select
count
clear
Edge
Detector
Tn
clkTn
TCNTn
Control Logic
direction
( From Prescaler )
bottom
top
Signal description (internal signals):
count Increment or decrement TCNT0 by 1.
direction Select between increment and decrement.
86
ATmega48/88/168
2545D–AVR–07/04
ATMEL [ ATMEL ]
