Datasheet

SAM3X / SAM3A [DATASHEET]
Atmel-11057C-ATARM-SAM3X-SAM3A-Datasheet_23-Mar-15
856
36. Timer Counter (TC)
36.1 Description
A Timer Counter (TC) module includes three identical TC channels. The number of implemented TC modules is
device-specific.
Each TC channel can be independently programmed to perform a wide range of functions including frequency
measurement, event counting, interval measurement, pulse generation, delay timing and pulse width modulation.
Each channel has three external clock inputs, five internal clock inputs and two multi-purpose input/output signals
which can be configured by the user. Each channel drives an internal interrupt signal which can be programmed to
generate processor interrupts.
The TC embeds a quadrature decoder (QDEC) connected in front of the timers and driven by TIOA0, TIOB0 and
TIOB1 inputs. When enabled, the QDEC performs the input lines filtering, decoding of quadrature signals and
connects to the timers/counters in order to read the position and speed of the motor through the user interface.
The TC block has two global registers which act upon all TC channels:
 Block Control Register (TC_BCR)—allows channels to be started simultaneously with the same instruction
 Block Mode Register (TC_BMR)—defines the external clock inputs for each channel, allowing them to be
chained
36.2 Embedded Characteristics
 Total number of TC channels: 9
 TC channel size: 32-bit
 Wide range of functions including:
 Frequency measurement
 Event counting
 Interval measurement
 Pulse generation
 Delay timing
 Pulse Width Modulation
 Up/down capabilities
 Quadrature decoder
 2-bit gray up/down count for stepper motor
 Each channel is user-configurable and contains:
 Three external clock inputs
 Five Internal clock inputs
 Two multi-purpose input/output signals acting as trigger event
 Internal interrupt signal
 Compare event fault generation for PWM
 Register Write Protection