Method 3: Automatic write of duty-cycle values and automatic trigger of the update

In this mode, the update of the duty cycle values is made automatically by the DMA Controller. The update of the period value, the dead-time values and the update period value must be done by writing in their respective update registers with the processor (respectively PWM_CPRDUPDx, PWM_DTUPDx and PWM_SCUPUPD).

To trigger the update of the period value and the dead-time values, the user must use the bit UPDULOCK which allows to update synchronously (at the same PWM period) the synchronous channels:

  • If the bit UPDULOCK is set to ‘1’, the update is done at the next PWM period of the synchronous channels.
  • If the UPDULOCK bit is not set to ‘1’, the update is locked and cannot be performed.

After writing the UPDULOCK bit to ‘1’, it is held at this value until the update occurs, then it is read 0.

The update of the duty-cycle values and the update period value is triggered automatically after an update period.

To configure the automatic update, the user must define a value for the Update Period by the field UPR in the PWM_SCUP register. The PWM controller waits UPR+1 periods of synchronous channels before updating automatically the duty values and the update period value.

Using the DMA Controller removes processor overhead by reducing its intervention during the transfer. This significantly reduces the number of clock cycles required for a data transfer, which improves microcontroller performance.

The DMA Controller must write the duty-cycle values in the synchronous channels index order. For example if the channels 0, 1 and 3 are synchronous channels, the DMA Controller must write the duty-cycle of the channel 0 first, then the duty-cycle of the channel 1, and finally the duty-cycle of the channel 3.

The status of the DMA Controller transfer is reported in PWM_ISR2 by the following flags:

  • WRDY: this flag is set to ‘1’ when the PWM Controller is ready to receive new duty-cycle values and a new update period value. It is reset to ‘0’ when PWM_ISR2 is read. The user can choose to synchronize the WRDY flag and the DMA Controller transfer request with a comparison match (see PWM Comparison Units), by the fields PTRM and PTRCS in the PWM_SCM register.
  • UNRE: this flag is set to ‘1’ when the update period defined by the UPR field has elapsed while the whole data has not been written by the Peripheral DMA Controller. It is reset to ‘0’ when PWM_ISR2 is read.

Depending on the interrupt mask in PWM_IMR2, an interrupt can be generated by these flags.

Sequence for Method 3:

  1. Select the automatic write of duty-cycle values and automatic update by setting the field UPDM to 2 in the PWM_SCM register.
  2. Define the synchronous channels by the bits SYNCx in the PWM_SCM register.
  3. Define the update period by the field UPR in the PWM_SCUP register.
  4. Define when the WRDY flag and the corresponding DMA Controller transfer request must be set in the update period by the PTRM bit and the PTRCS field in the PWM_SCM register (at the end of the update period or when a comparison matches).
  5. Define the DMA Controller transfer settings for the duty-cycle values and enable it in the DMA Controller registers
  6. Enable the synchronous channels by writing CHID0 in the PWM_ENA register.
  7. If an update of the period value and/or of the dead-time values is required, write registers that need to be updated (PWM_CPRDUPDx, PWM_DTUPDx), else go to Step 10.
  8. Set UPDULOCK to ‘1’ in PWM_SCUC.
  9. The update of these registers will occur at the beginning of the next PWM period. At this moment the bit UPDULOCK is reset, go to Step 7. for new values.
  10. If an update of the update period value is required, check first that write of a new update value is possible by polling the flag WRDY (or by waiting for the corresponding interrupt) in PWM_ISR2, else go to Step 14.
  11. Write the register that needs to be updated (PWM_SCUPUPD).
  12. The update of this register will occur at the next PWM period of the synchronous channels when the Update Period is elapsed. Go to Step 10 for new values.
  13. Wait for the DMA status flag indicating that the buffer transfer is complete. If the transfer has ended, define a new DMA transfer for new duty-cycle values. Go to Step 5.
Figure 9-249. Method 3 (UPDM = 2 and PTRM = 0)
Figure 9-250. Method 3 (UPDM = 2 and PTRM = 1 and PTRCS = 0)