21.5 Output Compare Unit

The 8-bit comparator continuously compares TCNT2 with the Output Compare Register (OCR2A and OCR2B). Whenever TCNT2 equals OCR2A or OCR2B, the comparator signals a match. A match will set the Output Compare Flag (OCF2A or OCF2B) at the next timer clock cycle. If the corresponding interrupt is enabled, the output compare flag generates an output compare interrupt. The output compare flag is automatically cleared when the interrupt is executed. Alternatively, the output compare flag can be cleared by software by writing a logical one to its I/O bit location. The waveform generator uses the match signal to generate an output according to operating mode set by the WGM2[2:0] bits and Compare Output mode (COM2x[1:0]) bits. The max and bottom signals are used by the waveform generator for handling the special cases of the extreme values in some modes of operation (See Modes of Operation).

The following figure shows a block diagram of the output compare unit.

The OCR2x is double buffered when using any of the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) modes. For the Normal and Clear Timer on Compare (CTC) modes of operation, the double buffering is disabled. The double buffering synchronizes the update of the OCR2x to either top or bottom of the counting sequence. The synchronization prevents the occurrence of odd-length, non-symmetrical PWM pulses, thereby making the output glitch-free.

The OCR2x access may seem complex, but this is not the case. When the double buffering is enabled, the CPU has access to the OCR2x buffer register, and if double buffering is disabled the CPU will access the OCR2x directly.