12.1.1.5 Secondary Oscillator
The Secondary Oscillator (SOSC) is a separate external oscillator block that can be used as an alternate system clock source or as a Timer clock source. The SOSC is optimized for 32.768 kHz and can be used with either an external quartz crystal connected to the SOSCI and SOSCO pins or with an external clock source connected to the SOSCI pin, as shown in the figures below.
The SOSC can be enabled through one of two methods:
- Programming the RSTOSC Configuration bits to select the SOSC as the system clock.
- Programming the NOSC bits to select the SOSC during run time.
Two Power modes are available for the secondary oscillator and are selected using the
Secondary Oscillator Power Mode Select (SOSCPWR) bit. When SOSCPWR is clear (SOSCPWR = 0
), the
oscillator operates in Low Power mode, which is ideal for crystal oscillators with low
drive strength. When SOSCPWR is set (SOSCPWR = 1
), the oscillator
operates in High Power mode, which is ideal for crystal oscillators with high drive
strength or high Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR).