Datasheet

46.6.2.4.1 Continuous Measurement
Continuous measurement is selected by writing COMPCTRLx.SINGLE to zero. In continuous mode, the
comparator is continuously enabled and performing comparisons. This ensures that the result of the
latest comparison is always available in the Current State bit in the Status A register (STATUSA.STATEx).
After the start-up time has passed, a comparison is done and STATUSA is updated. The Comparator x
Ready bit in the Status B register (STATUSB.READYx) is set, and the appropriate peripheral events and
interrupts are also generated. New comparisons are performed continuously until the
COMPCTRLx.ENABLE bit is written to zero. The start-up time applies only to the first comparison.
In continuous operation, edge detection of the comparator output for interrupts is done by comparing the
current and previous sample. The sampling rate is the GCLK_AC frequency. An example of continuous
measurement is shown in the Figure 46-2.
Figure 46-2. Continuous Measurement Example
GCLK_AC
STATUSB.READYx
Sampled
Comparator Output
COMPCTRLx.ENABLE
t
STARTUP
Write ‘1’
2-3 cycles
For low-power operation, comparisons can be performed during sleep modes without a clock. The
comparator is enabled continuously, and changes of the comparator state are detected asynchronously.
When a toggle occurs, the Power Manager will start GCLK_AC to register the appropriate peripheral
events and interrupts. The GCLK_AC clock is then disabled again automatically, unless configured to
wake up the system from sleep.
46.6.2.4.2 Single-Shot
Single-shot operation is selected by writing COMPCTRLx.SINGLE to '1'. During single-shot operation, the
comparator is normally idle. The user starts a single comparison by writing '1' to the respective Start
Comparison bit in the write-only Control B register (CTRLB.STARTx). The comparator is enabled, and
after the start-up time has passed, a single comparison is done and STATUSA is updated. Appropriate
peripheral events and interrupts are also generated. No new comparisons will be performed.
Writing '1' to CTRLB.STARTx also clears the Comparator x Ready bit in the Status B register
(STATUSB.READYx). STATUSB.READYx is set automatically by hardware when the single comparison
has completed.
A single-shot measurement can also be triggered by the Event System. Setting the Comparator x Event
Input bit in the Event Control Register (EVCTRL.COMPEIx) enables triggering on incoming peripheral
events. Each comparator can be triggered independently by separate events. Event-triggered operation is
similar to user-triggered operation; the difference is that a peripheral event from another hardware module
causes the hardware to automatically start the comparison and will not clear STATUSB.READYx.
To detect an edge of the comparator output in single-shot operation for the purpose of interrupts, the
result of the current measurement is compared with the result of the previous measurement (one
sampling period earlier). An example of single-shot operation is shown in Figure 46-3.
SAM D5x/E5x Family Data Sheet
AC – Analog Comparators
© 2019 Microchip Technology Inc.
Datasheet
DS60001507E-page 1645