Timers

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Overview

Timer blocks provide precise timing and resource management capabilities essential for embedded applications. The MPLAB Blockset offers timer configuration for creating named timer resources that can be shared across peripherals, and profiling tools for measuring code execution performance.

Available Timer Blocks

Timer Config - Timer Configuration and Resource Management

All Families

High-level timer configuration block that creates named timer resources for sharing across peripherals. - **Named Timer Resources**: Create reusable timer configurations

Timer PIL Profiling - Processor-in-the-Loop Timing Profiler

All Families

Code execution timing measurement for performance profiling during PIL simulations. - **Microsecond Precision**: Hardware timer-based measurement

Block Selection Guide

By Application

Timer Resource Management

Timer Types Available

Timer Resources:

• Type A: 16-bit timers (TMR1-TMR9)
• Type B: 32-bit timers (TMR2/3, TMR4/5 pairs)
• Use TIMER_Config for automatic allocation

Best Practices

1. Use TIMER_Config for Named Resources

   • Prevents conflicts by centralizing timer allocation
   • Automatically calculates prescalers
   • Documents timer usage in model
   • Allows multiple peripherals to share the same timer

2. Check Device Timer Availability

   • Consult device datasheet for timer types
   • dsPIC33A/C: Type A and B/C/D/E timers
   • PIC32: Type A/B/C timers

3. Resource Sharing Guidelines

   • Multiple peripherals can share the same timer if they use compatible configurations
   • TIMER_Config automatically manages shared resources
   • Check for conflicts when using manual timer configuration

Timing Accuracy Considerations

Timer Resolution

Resolution = (Prescaler × Timer Period) / Instruction Cycle

Example: dsPIC33CK @ 100 MIPS, Prescaler=8, 16-bit timer

• Resolution = 8 / 100 MHz = 80 ns
• Max measurable period = 80 ns × 65536 = 5.24 ms

Profiling Accuracy

The PIL Profiling block provides microsecond-level timing accuracy suitable for:

• Validating real-time constraints
• Measuring interrupt latency
• Identifying performance bottlenecks
• Optimizing critical code sections

Device Family Support Summary

Legend: ✅ Full Support | ⚠️ Different Peripheral (TC/TCC blocks)

Note: SAM ARM devices use different timer peripherals (TC/TCC blocks instead of Type A/B/C timers). TIMER_Config concepts apply but use SAM-specific peripheral blocks.

See Also

Related Block Categories:

• Input Capture / Output Compare - For event timing and waveform generation
• PWM Blocks - For advanced PWM generation
• Encoders - For quadrature encoder interfaces (QEI block)
• System Configuration - For scheduler configuration with timers

Recommended Reading:

• Timer resources are shared across many peripheral types
• Use TIMER_Config to prevent resource conflicts
• For event measurement: See Input Capture blocks
• For pulse generation: See Output Compare blocks

Example Projects:

• Motor Control Examples - See timer usage in FOC algorithms
• Board Templates - Pre-configured timer setups

💡 Quick Selection Guide:

• Need timer resource for peripherals? → Timer Config
• Need to measure code performance? → Timer PIL Profiling
• Need to measure external signals? → See Input Capture blocks
• Need to generate pulses? → See Output Compare blocks