Datasheet

ATmega164A/PA/324A/PA/644A/PA/1284/P
 2018 Microchip Technology Inc. Data Sheet Complete DS40002070A-page 129
In fast PWM mode the counter is incremented until the counter value matches either one of the fixed values
0x00FF, 0x01FF, or 0x03FF (WGMn3:0 = 5, 6, or 7), the value in ICRn (WGMn3:0 = 14), or the value in OCRnA
(WGMn3:0 = 15). The counter is then cleared at the following timer clock cycle. The timing diagram for the fast
PWM mode is shown in Figure 16-7. The figure shows fast PWM mode when OCRnA or ICRn is used to define
TOP. The TCNTn value is in the timing diagram shown as a histogram for illustrating the single-slope operation.
The diagram includes non-inverted and inverted PWM outputs. The small horizontal line marks on the TCNTn
slopes represent compare matches between OCRnx and TCNTn. The OCnx Interrupt Flag will be set when a
compare match occurs.
Figure 16-7. Fast PWM mode, timing diagram
The Timer/Counter Overflow Flag (TOVn) is set each time the counter reaches TOP. In addition the OCnA or
ICFn Flag is set at the same timer clock cycle as TOVn is set when either OCRnA or ICRn 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 compare 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 TCNTn and the OCRnx. Note that when using fixed TOP values the unused bits
are masked to zero when any of the OCRnx Registers are written.
The procedure for updating ICRn differs from updating OCRnA when used for defining the TOP value. The ICRn
Register is not double buffered. This means that if ICRn 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 ICRn value written is lower than the current value
of TCNTn. 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 starting at 0x0000 before the compare
match can occur. The OCRnA Register however, is double buffered. This feature allows the OCRnA I/O location
to be written anytime. When the OCRnA I/O location is written the value written will be put into the OCRnA
Buffer Register. The OCRnA Compare Register will then be updated with the value in the Buffer Register at the
next timer clock cycle the TCNTn matches TOP. The update is done at the same timer clock cycle as the
TCNTn is cleared and the TOVn Flag is set.
Using the ICRn Register for defining TOP works well when using fixed TOP values. By using ICRn, the OCRnA
Register is free to be used for generating a PWM output on OCnA. However, if the base PWM frequency is
actively changed (by changing the TOP value), using the OCRnA as TOP is clearly a better choice due to its
double buffer feature.
In fast PWM mode, the compare units allow generation of PWM waveforms on the OCnx pins. Setting the
COMnx1:0 bits to two will produce a non-inverted PWM and an inverted PWM output can be generated by
setting the COMnx1:0 to three (see Table on page 136). The actual OCnx value will only be visible on the port
TCNTn
OCRnx/TOP Update and
TOVn Interrupt Flag Set and
OCnA Interrupt Flag Set
or ICFn Interrupt Flag Set
(Interrupt on TOP)
1 7
Period
2 3 4 5 6 8
OCnx
OCnx
(COMnx1:0 = 2)
(COMnx1:0 = 3)