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SAM3/4S/4L/4E/4N/4CM/4C/G Timer Counter (TC) Driver

This driver for Atmel® | SMART ARM®-based microcontrollers provides an interface for the configuration and management of the device's Timer Counter functionality.

The Timer Counter (TC) includes several identical 16-bit or 32-bit Timer Counter channels. Each channel can be independently programmed to perform a wide range of functions that includes frequency measurement, event counting, interval measurement, pulse generation, delay timing, and pulse width modulation.

Devices from the following series can use this module:

The outline of this documentation is as follows:

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this module.

Module Overview

The Timer Counter (TC) includes several identical 16-bit or 32-bit Timer Counter channels. The number of TC channels is device specific, refer to the device-specific datasheet for more information.

Each channel can be independently programmed to perform a wide range of functions that includes 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 Timer Counter (TC) embeds a quadrature decoder logic connected in front of the timers. When enabled, the quadrature decoder performs the input line filtering, decoding of quadrature signals and connects to the timers/counters in order to read the position and speed of the motor.

Special Considerations

External Clock

In all cases, if an external clock is used, the duration of each of its levels must be longer than the master clock (MCLK) period. The external clock frequency must be at least 2.5 times lower than the master clock.

External Trigger

If an external trigger is used, the duration of its pulses must be longer than the master clock (MCLK) period in order to be detected.

Extra Information

For extra information, see Extra Information for Timer Counter Driver. This includes:

Examples

For a list of examples related to this driver, see Examples for Timer Counter.

API Overview

Functions

void tc_disable_interrupt (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_sources)
 Disable TC interrupts on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_disable_qdec_interrupt (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_sources)
 Disable TC QDEC interrupts. More...
 
void tc_enable_interrupt (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_sources)
 Enable the TC interrupts on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_enable_qdec_interrupt (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_sources)
 Enable TC QDEC interrupts. More...
 
uint32_t tc_find_mck_divisor (uint32_t ul_freq, uint32_t ul_mck, uint32_t *p_uldiv, uint32_t *ul_tcclks, uint32_t ul_boardmck)
 Find the best MCK divisor. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_feature (Tc *p_tc)
 Indicate TC features. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_interrupt_mask (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Read the TC interrupt mask for the specified channel. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_qdec_interrupt_mask (Tc *p_tc)
 Read TC QDEC interrupt mask. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_qdec_interrupt_status (Tc *p_tc)
 Get current TC QDEC interrupt status. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_status (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Get the current status for the specified TC channel. More...
 
uint32_t tc_get_version (Tc *p_tc)
 Indicate TC version. More...
 
void tc_init (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_Channel, uint32_t ul_Mode)
 Configure TC for timer, waveform generation, or capture. More...
 
uint32_t tc_init_2bit_gray (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_steppermode)
 Configure TC for 2-bit Gray Counter for Stepper Motor. More...
 
uint32_t tc_read_cv (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Read the counter value on the specified channel. More...
 
uint32_t tc_read_ra (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Read TC Register A (RA) on the specified channel. More...
 
uint32_t tc_read_rb (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Read TC Register B (RB) on the specified channel. More...
 
uint32_t tc_read_rc (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Read TC Register C (RC) on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_set_block_mode (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_blockmode)
 Configure the TC Block mode. More...
 
void tc_set_writeprotect (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_enable)
 Enable or disable write protection of TC registers. More...
 
void tc_start (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Start the TC clock on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_stop (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel)
 Stop the TC clock on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_sync_trigger (Tc *p_tc)
 Asserts a SYNC signal to generate a software trigger on all channels. More...
 
void tc_write_ra (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_value)
 Write to TC Register A (RA) on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_write_rb (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_value)
 Write to TC Register B (RB) on the specified channel. More...
 
void tc_write_rc (Tc *p_tc, uint32_t ul_channel, uint32_t ul_value)
 Write to TC Register C (RC) on the selected channel. More...
 

void tc_disable_interrupt ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_sources 
)

Disable TC interrupts on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in,out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure
[in]ul_sourcesA bitmask of Interrupt sources

Where the input parameter ul_sources can be one or more of the following:

Parameter Value Description
TC_IDR_COVFSDisables the Counter Overflow Interrupt
TC_IDR_LOVRSDisables the Load Overrun Interrupt
TC_IDR_CPASDisables the RA Compare Interrupt
TC_IDR_CPBSDisables the RB Compare Interrupt
TC_IDR_CPCSDisables the RC Compare Interrupt
TC_IDR_LDRASDisables the RA Load Interrupt
TC_IDR_LDRBSDisables the RB Load Interrupt
TC_IDR_ETRGSDisables the External Trigger Interrupt

References Assert.

void tc_disable_qdec_interrupt ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_sources 
)

Disable TC QDEC interrupts.

Note
This function is not available on SAM4L or SAMG devices.
Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_sourcesA bitmask of QDEC interrupts to be disabled

Where the input parameter ul_sources can be one or more of the following:

Parameter Value Description
TC_QIDR_IDXDisable the rising edge detected on IDX input interrupt
TC_QIDR_DIRCHGDisable the change in rotation direction detected interrupt
TC_QIDR_QERRDisable the quadrature error detected on PHA/PHB interrupt

References Assert.

void tc_enable_interrupt ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_sources 
)

Enable the TC interrupts on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in,out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure
[in]ul_sourcesBitmask of interrupt sources

Where the input parameter ul_sources can be one or more of the following:

Parameter Value Description
TC_IER_COVFSEnables the Counter Overflow Interrupt
TC_IER_LOVRSEnables the Load Overrun Interrupt
TC_IER_CPASEnables the RA Compare Interrupt
TC_IER_CPBSEnables the RB Compare Interrupt
TC_IER_CPCSEnables the RC Compare Interrupt
TC_IER_LDRASEnables the RA Load Interrupt
TC_IER_LDRBSEnables the RB Load Interrupt
TC_IER_ETRGSEnables the External Trigger Interrupt

References Assert.

void tc_enable_qdec_interrupt ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_sources 
)

Enable TC QDEC interrupts.

Note
This function is not available on SAM4L or SAMG devices.
Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_sourcesA bitmask of QDEC interrupts to be enabled

Where the input parameter ul_sources can be one or more of the following:

Parameter Value Description
TC_QIER_IDXEnable the rising edge detected on IDX input interrupt
TC_QIER_DIRCHGEnable the change in rotation direction detected interrupt
TC_QIER_QERREnable the quadrature error detected on PHA/PHB interrupt

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_find_mck_divisor ( uint32_t  ul_freq,
uint32_t  ul_mck,
uint32_t *  p_uldiv,
uint32_t *  p_ultcclks,
uint32_t  ul_boardmck 
)

Find the best MCK divisor.

Find the best PBA/MCK divisor.

Finds the best MCK divisor given the timer frequency and MCK. The result is guaranteed to satisfy the following equation:

(MCK / (DIV * 65536)) <= freq <= (MCK / DIV)

With DIV being the lowest possible value, to maximize timing adjust resolution.

Parameters
[in]ul_freqDesired timer frequency
[in]ul_mckMaster clock frequency
[out]p_uldivDivisor value
[out]p_ultcclksTCCLKS field value for divisor
[in]ul_boardmckBoard clock frequency
Returns
The divisor found status.
Return values
0No suitable divisor was found
1A divisor was found

For SAM4L devices: Finds the best PBA divisor given the timer frequency and PBA clock. The result is guaranteed to satisfy the following equation:

(ul_pbaclk / (2* DIV * 65536)) <= freq <= (ul_pbaclk / (2* DIV))

with DIV being the lowest possible value, to maximize timing adjust resolution.

For non SAM4L devices: Finds the best MCK divisor given the timer frequency and MCK. The result is guaranteed to satisfy the following equation:

(MCK / (DIV * 65536)) <= freq <= (MCK / DIV)

with DIV being the lowest possible value, to maximize timing adjust resolution.

Parameters
[in]ul_freqDesired timer frequency
[in]ul_mckPBA clock frequency
[out]p_uldivDivisor value
[out]p_ultcclksTCCLKS field value for divisor
[in]ul_boardmckBoard clock frequency (set to 0 for SAM4L devices)
Returns
The divisor found status.
Return values
0No suitable divisor was found
1A divisor was found

References FREQ_SLOW_CLOCK_EXT, and TC_DIV_FACTOR.

uint32_t tc_get_feature ( Tc *  p_tc)

Indicate TC features.

Note
This function is only available on SAM4L devices.
Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
Returns
The TC FEATURES register contents.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_get_interrupt_mask ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Read the TC interrupt mask for the specified channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to read
Returns
The TC interrupt mask value.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_get_qdec_interrupt_mask ( Tc *  p_tc)

Read TC QDEC interrupt mask.

Note
This function is not available on SAM4L or SAMG devices.
Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
Returns
The QDEC interrupt mask value.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_get_qdec_interrupt_status ( Tc *  p_tc)

Get current TC QDEC interrupt status.

Note
This function is not available on SAM4L or SAMG devices.
Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
Returns
The TC QDEC interrupt status.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_get_status ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Get the current status for the specified TC channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel number
Returns
The current TC status.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_get_version ( Tc *  p_tc)

Indicate TC version.

Note
This function is only available on SAM4L devices.
Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
Returns
The TC VERSION register contents.

References Assert.

void tc_init ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_mode 
)

Configure TC for timer, waveform generation, or capture.

Parameters
[in,out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure
[in]ul_modeControl mode register bitmask value to set
Note
For more information regarding ul_mode configuration refer to the section entitled "Channel Mode Register: Capture Mode" and/or section "Waveform Operating Mode" in the device-specific datasheet.
If the TC is configured for waveform generation then the external event selection (EEVT) should only be set to TC_CMR_EEVT_TIOB, or the equivalent value of 0, if it really is the intention to use TIOB as an external event trigger. This is because this setting forces TIOB to be an input, even if the external event trigger has not been enabled with TC_CMR_ENETRG, and thus prevents normal operation of TIOB.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_init_2bit_gray ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_steppermode 
)

Configure TC for 2-bit Gray Counter for Stepper Motor.

Note
The function tc_init() must be called prior to this one.
This function is not available on SAM3U devices.
Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure
[in]ul_steppermodeStepper motor mode register value to set
Returns
0 for OK.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_read_cv ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Read the counter value on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to read
Returns
The counter value.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_read_ra ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Read TC Register A (RA) on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to read
Returns
The TC Register A (RA) value.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_read_rb ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Read TC Register B (RB) on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to read
Returns
The TC Register B (RB) value.

References Assert.

uint32_t tc_read_rc ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Read TC Register C (RC) on the specified channel.

Parameters
[in]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to read
Returns
The Register C (RC) value.

References Assert.

void tc_set_block_mode ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_blockmode 
)

Configure the TC Block mode.

Note
The function tc_init() must be called prior to this one.
Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_blockmodeBlock mode register value to set
Note
For more information regarding ul_blockmode configuration refer to the section entitled "TC Block Mode Register" in the device-specific datasheet.

References Assert.

void tc_set_writeprotect ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_enable 
)

Enable or disable write protection of TC registers.

Note
This function is not available on SAM3U devices.
Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_enable1 to enable, 0 to disable

References Assert, and TC_WPMR_WPKEY_PASSWD.

void tc_start ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Start the TC clock on the specified channel.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure

References Assert.

void tc_stop ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel 
)

Stop the TC clock on the specified channel.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to configure

References Assert.

void tc_sync_trigger ( Tc *  p_tc)

Asserts a SYNC signal to generate a software trigger on all channels.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer

References Assert.

void tc_write_ra ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_value 
)

Write to TC Register A (RA) on the specified channel.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to write
[in]ul_valueValue to write

References Assert.

void tc_write_rb ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_value 
)

Write to TC Register B (RB) on the specified channel.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to write
[in]ul_valueValue to write

References Assert.

void tc_write_rc ( Tc *  p_tc,
uint32_t  ul_channel,
uint32_t  ul_value 
)

Write to TC Register C (RC) on the selected channel.

Parameters
[out]p_tcModule hardware register base address pointer
[in]ul_channelChannel to write
[in]ul_valueValue to write

References Assert.