quency allows physically small sized external components (coils, capacitors), hence
reduces total system cost.
The PWM resolution for fast PWM can be fixed to 8-, 9-, or 10-bit, or defined by either
ICR1 or OCR1A. The minimum resolution allowed is 2-bit (ICR1 or OCR1A set to
0x0003), and the maximum resolution is 16-bit (ICR1 or OCR1A set to MAX). The PWM
resolution in bits can be calculated by using the following equation:
log(TOP + 1)
R
= ----------------------------------
FPWM
log(2)
In fast PWM mode the counter is incremented until the counter value matches either
one of the fixed values 0x00FF, 0x01FF, or 0x03FF (WGM13:0 = 5, 6, or 7), the value in
ICR1 (WGM13:0 = 14), or the value in OCR1A (WGM13:0 = 15). The counter is then
cleared at the following timer clock cycle. The timing diagram for the fast PWM mode is
shown in Figure 38. The figure shows fast PWM mode when OCR1A or ICR1 is used to
define TOP. The TCNT1 value is in the timing diagram shown as a histogram for illus-
trating the single-slope operation. The diagram includes non-inverted and inverted PWM
outputs. The small horizontal line marks on the TCNT1 slopes represent compare
matches between OCR1x and TCNT1. The OC1x Interrupt Flag will be set when a Com-
pare Match occurs.
Figure 38. 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)
OCnx
(COMnx1:0 = 3)
OCnx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Period
The Timer/Counter Overflow Flag (TOV1) is set each time the counter reaches TOP. In
addition the OCF1A or ICF1 Flag is set at the same timer clock cycle as TOV1 is set
when either OCR1A or ICR1 is used for defining the TOP value. If one of the interrupts
are enabled, the interrupt handler routine can be used for updating the TOP and com-
pare 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 Compare Registers, a Compare Match will never occur between the
TCNT1 and the OCR1x. Note that when using fixed TOP values the unused bits are
masked to zero when any of the OCR1x Registers are written.
The procedure for updating ICR1 differs from updating OCR1A when used for defining
the TOP value. The ICR1 Register is not double buffered. This means that if ICR1 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 ICR1 value written is lower than the current value of TCNT1.
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 start-
88
ATmega8(L)
2486M–AVR–12/03
ATMEL [ ATMEL ]
