89
4317I–AVR–01/08
AT90PWM2/3/2B/3B
Figure 14-3. Output Compare Unit, Block Diagram
The OCR0x Registers are double buffered when using any of the Pulse Width Modulation
(PWM) modes. For the normal and Clear Timer on Compare (CTC) modes of operation, the dou-
ble buffering is disabled. The double buffering synchronizes the update of the OCR0x Compare
Registers to either top or bottom of the counting sequence. The synchronization prevents the
occurrence of odd-length, non-symmetrical PWM pulses, thereby making the output glitch-free.
The OCR0x Register access may seem complex, but this is not case. When the double buffering
is enabled, the CPU has access to the OCR0x Buffer Register, and if double buffering is dis-
abled the CPU will access the OCR0x directly.
14.4.1
Force Output Compare
In non-PWM waveform generation modes, the match output of the comparator can be forced by
writing a one to the Force Output Compare (FOC0x) bit. Forcing compare match will not set the
OCF0x Flag or reload/clear the timer, but the OC0x pin will be updated as if a real compare
match had occurred (the COM0x1:0 bits settings define whether the OC0x pin is set, cleared or
toggled).
14.4.2
Compare Match Blocking by TCNT0 Write
All CPU write operations to the TCNT0 Register will block any compare match that occur in the
next timer clock cycle, even when the timer is stopped. This feature allows OCR0x to be initial-
ized to the same value as TCNT0 without triggering an interrupt when the Timer/Counter clock is
enabled.
14.4.3
Using the Output Compare Unit
Since writing TCNT0 in any mode of operation will block all compare matches for one timer clock
cycle, there are risks involved when changing TCNT0 when using the Output Compare Unit,
independently of whether the Timer/Counter is running or not. If the value written to TCNT0
equals the OCR0x value, the compare match will be missed, resulting in incorrect waveform
generation. Similarly, do not write the TCNT0 value equal to BOTTOM when the counter is
downcounting.
OCFnx (Int.Req.)
=
(8-bit Comparator )
OCRnx
OCnx
DATA BUS
TCNTn
WGMn1:0
Waveform Generator
top
FOCn
COMnx1:0
bottom