ATMEGA8_14 Datasheet, PDF (106/331 Pages) ATMEL Corporation – High-performance, Low-power Atmel

ATmega8(L)
Force Output
Compare
Compare Match
Blocking by TCNT2
Write
Using the Output
Compare Unit
In non-PWM Waveform Generation modes, the match output of the comparator can be forced by
writing a one to the Force Output Compare (FOC2) bit. Forcing Compare Match will not set the
OCF2 Flag or reload/clear the timer, but the OC2 pin will be updated as if a real Compare Match
had occurred (the COM21:0 bits settings define whether the OC2 pin is set, cleared or toggled).
All CPU write operations to the TCNT2 Register will block any Compare Match that occurs in the
next timer clock cycle, even when the timer is stopped. This feature allows OCR2 to be initialized
to the same value as TCNT2 without triggering an interrupt when the Timer/Counter clock is
enabled.
Since writing TCNT2 in any mode of operation will block all compare matches for one timer clock
cycle, there are risks involved when changing TCNT2 when using the Output Compare channel,
independently of whether the Timer/Counter is running or not. If the value written to TCNT2
equals the OCR2 value, the Compare Match will be missed, resulting in incorrect waveform gen-
eration. Similarly, do not write the TCNT2 value equal to BOTTOM when the counter is
downcounting.
The setup of the OC2 should be performed before setting the Data Direction Register for the port
pin to output. The easiest way of setting the OC2 value is to use the Force Output Compare
(FOC2) strobe bit in Normal mode. The OC2 Register keeps its value even when changing
between waveform generation modes.
Be aware that the COM21:0 bits are not double buffered together with the compare value.
Changing the COM21:0 bits will take effect immediately.
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