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2513L–AVR–03/2013
ATmega162/V
Fast PWM Mode
The fast Pulse Width Modulation or fast PWM mode (WGMn3:0 = 5,6,7,14, or 15) provides a
high frequency PWM waveform generation option. The fast PWM differs from the other PWM
options by its single-slope operation. The counter counts from BOTTOM to TOP then restarts
from BOTTOM. In non-inverting Compare Output mode, the Output Compare (OCnx) is set on
the Compare Match between TCNTn and OCRnx, and cleared at TOP. In inverting Compare
Output mode output is cleared on Compare Match and set at TOP. Due to the single-slope oper-
ation, the operating frequency of the fast PWM mode can be twice as high as the phase correct
and phase and frequency correct PWM modes that use dual-slope operation. This high fre-
quency makes the fast PWM mode well suited for power regulation, rectification, and DAC
applications. High frequency allows physically small sized external components (coils, capaci-
tors), hence reduces total system cost.
The PWM resolution for fast PWM can be fixed to 8-, 9-, or 10-bit, or defined by either ICRn or
OCRnA. The minimum resolution allowed is 2-bit (ICRn or OCRnA set to 0x0003), and the max-
imum resolution is 16-bit (ICRn or OCRnA set to MAX). The PWM resolution in bits can be
calculated by using the following equation:
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 52. 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 52. 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 han-
dler 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 com-
R
FPWM
TOP
1
+
log
2
log
-----------------------------------
=
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
(COMnx1:0 = 2)
(COMnx1:0 = 3)