PIC18F2420/2520/4420/4520
11.3.1
SWITCHING PRESCALER
ASSIGNMENT
11.3 Prescaler
An 8-bit counter is available as a prescaler for the Timer0
module. The prescaler is not directly readable or writable;
its value is set by the PSA and T0PS<2:0> bits
(T0CON<3:0>) which determine the prescaler
assignment and prescale ratio.
The prescaler assignment is fully under software
control and can be changed “on-the-fly” during program
execution.
11.4 Timer0 Interrupt
Clearing the PSA bit assigns the prescaler to the
Timer0 module. When it is assigned, prescale values
from 1:2 through 1:256 in power-of-2 increments are
selectable.
The TMR0 interrupt is generated when the TMR0
register overflows from FFh to 00h in 8-bit mode, or
from FFFFh to 0000h in 16-bit mode. This overflow sets
the TMR0IF flag bit. The interrupt can be masked by
clearing the TMR0IE bit (INTCON<5>). Before re-
enabling the interrupt, the TMR0IF bit must be cleared
in software by the Interrupt Service Routine.
When assigned to the Timer0 module, all instructions
writing to the TMR0 register (e.g., CLRF TMR0, MOVWF
TMR0, BSF TMR0, etc.) clear the prescaler count.
Note:
Writing to TMR0 when the prescaler is
assigned to Timer0 will clear the prescaler
count but will not change the prescaler
assignment.
Since Timer0 is shut down in Sleep mode, the TMR0
interrupt cannot awaken the processor from Sleep.
TABLE 11-1: REGISTERS ASSOCIATED WITH TIMER0
Reset
Values
on page
Name
Bit 7
Bit 6
Bit 5
Bit 4
Bit 3
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 0
TMR0L
Timer0 Register Low Byte
Timer0 Register High Byte
50
50
49
50
52
TMR0H
INTCON
T0CON
TRISA
GIE/GIEH PEIE/GIEL TMR0IE
INT0IE
T0SE
RA4
RBIE
PSA
RA3
TMR0IF
T0PS2
RA2
INT0IF
T0PS1
RA1
RBIF
T0PS0
RA0
TMR0ON
RA7(1)
T08BIT
RA6(1)
T0CS
RA5
Legend: Shaded cells are not used by Timer0.
Note 1: PORTA<7:6> and their direction bits are individually configured as port pins based on various primary
oscillator modes. When disabled, these bits read as ‘0’.
© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS39631E-page 125
MICROCHIP [ MICROCHIP ]
