34.6.4 Window Operation

Each comparator pair can be configured to work together in window mode. In this mode, a voltage range is defined, and the comparators give information about whether an input signal is within this range or not. Window mode is enabled by the Window Enable x bit in the Window Control register (WINCTRL.WENx). Both comparators in a pair must have the same measurement mode setting in their respective Comparator Control Registers (COMPCTRLx.SINGLE).

To physically configure the pair of comparators for window mode, the same I/O pin must be chosen as positive input for each comparator, providing a shared input signal. The negative inputs define the range for the window. In Figure 34-5, COMP0 defines the upper limit and COMP1 defines the lower limit of the window, as shown but the window will also work in the opposite configuration with COMP0 lower and COMP1 higher. The current state of the window function is available in the Window x State bit group of the Status register (STATUS.WSTATEx).

Window mode can be configured to generate interrupts when the input voltage changes to below the window, when the input voltage changes to above the window, when the input voltage changes into the window or when the input voltage changes outside the window. The interrupt selections are set by the Window Interrupt Selection bit field in the Window Control register (WINCTRL.WINTSEL). Events are generated using the inside/outside state of the window, regardless of whether the interrupt is enabled or not. Note that the individual comparator outputs, interrupts and events continue to function normally during window mode.

When the comparators are configured for window mode and single-shot mode, measurements are performed simultaneously on both comparators. Writing '1' to either Start Comparison bit in the Control B register (CTRLB.STARTx) will start a measurement. Likewise either peripheral event can start a measurement.