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CP3BT26
26.2.3
Mode 3: Dual Independent Timer/Counter
Mode 3 is the Dual Independent Timer mode, which gener-
ates system timing signals or counts occurrences of exter-
nal events.
Figure 102 is a block diagram of the Multi-Function Timer
configured to operate in Mode 3. The timer is configured to
operate as a dual independent system timer or dual external
event counter. In addition, Timer/Counter 1 can generate a
50% duty cycle PWM signal on the TA pin. The TB pin can
be used as an external event input or pulse-accumulate in-
put and can be used as the clock source for either Timer/
Counter 1 or Timer/Counter 2. Both counters can also be
clocked by the prescaled System Clock.
Timer/Counter 1 (TCNT1) counts down at the rate of the se-
lected clock. On underflow, it is reloaded from the TCRA
register and counting proceeds down from the reloaded val-
ue. In addition, the TA pin is toggled on each underflow if this
function is enabled by the TAEN bit. The initial state of the
TA pin is software-programmable. When the TA pin is tog-
gled from low to high, it sets the TCPND interrupt pending
bit and also generates an interrupt if enabled by the TAIEN
bit.
Because the TA pin toggles on every underflow, a 50% duty
cycle PWM signal can be generated on the TA pin without
any further action from the CPU.
Timer/Counter 2 (TCNT2) counts down at the rate of the se-
lected clock. On underflow, it is reloaded from the TCRB
register and counting proceeds down from the reloaded val-
ue. In addition, each underflow sets the TDPND interrupt
pending bit and generates an interrupt if the interrupt is en-
abled by the TDIEN bit.
Figure 102.
Dual-Independent Timer/Counter Mode
Timer/Counter 1
TCNT1
Timer 1
Clock
Reload A
TCRA
TAPND
TAIEN
Timer
Interrupt 1
TAEN
TA
TB
Underflow
Timer/Counter 2
TCNT2
Timer 2
Clock
Reload B
TCRB
TDPND
TDIEN
Timer
Interrupt 2
Underflow
Clock
Selector
DS086