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[[Category:AVR Tutorials]]
 
[[Category:AVR Tutorials]]
[[File:Timer Block Diagram.jpg|center|Timer/Counter Unit]]
 
 
=Basics=
 
=Basics=
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[[File:Timer Block Diagram.jpg|center|Timer/Counter Unit]]
 
Timers come in handy when you want to set some time interval like your alarm. This can be very precise to  a few microseconds.  
 
Timers come in handy when you want to set some time interval like your alarm. This can be very precise to  a few microseconds.  
 
Timers/Counters are essential part of any modern MCU. Remember it is the same hardware unit inside the MCU that is used either as Timers or Counter. Timers/counters are an independent unit inside a micro-controller.  They basically run independently of what task CPU is performing. Hence they come in very handy, and are primarily used for the following:
 
Timers/Counters are essential part of any modern MCU. Remember it is the same hardware unit inside the MCU that is used either as Timers or Counter. Timers/counters are an independent unit inside a micro-controller.  They basically run independently of what task CPU is performing. Hence they come in very handy, and are primarily used for the following:

Revision as of 11:24, 18 November 2014

Basics

Timer/Counter Unit

Timers come in handy when you want to set some time interval like your alarm. This can be very precise to a few microseconds. Timers/Counters are essential part of any modern MCU. Remember it is the same hardware unit inside the MCU that is used either as Timers or Counter. Timers/counters are an independent unit inside a micro-controller. They basically run independently of what task CPU is performing. Hence they come in very handy, and are primarily used for the following:

  • Internal Timer: As an internal timer the unit, ticks on the oscillator frequency. The oscillator frequency can be directly feed to the timer or it can be pre-scaled. In this mode it used generate precise delays. Or as precise time counting machine.
  • External Counter: In this mode the unit is used to count events on a specific external pin on a MCU.
  • Pulse width Modulation(PWM) Generator: PWM is used in speed control of motors and various other applications.

Timers/Counters in AVR

Timer 0

Timer 1

Timer 2