The EXTINT edge detection can be operated synchronously or asynchronously, selected by the Asynchronous Control Mode bit for external pin x in the External Interrupt Asynchronous Mode register (ASYNCH.ASYNCH[x]). The EIC edge detection is operated synchronously when the Asynchronous Control Mode bit (ASYNCH.ASYNCH[x]) is '0' (default value). It is operated asynchronously when ASYNCH.ASYNCH[x] is written to '1'.
In Synchronous Edge Detection Mode, the external interrupt (EXTINT) or the non-maskable interrupt (NMI) pins are sampled using the EIC clock as defined by the Clock Selection bit in the Control A register (CTRLA.CKSEL). The External Interrupt flag (INTFLAG.EXTINT[x]) or Non-Maskable Interrupt flag (NMIFLAG.NMI) is set when the last sampled state of the pin differs from the previously sampled state. In this mode, the EIC clock is required.
The Synchronous Edge Detection Mode can be used in Idle and Standby sleep modes.
In Asynchronous Edge Detection Mode, the external interrupt (EXTINT) pins or the non-maskable interrupt (NMI) pins set the External Interrupt flag or Non-Maskable Interrupt flag (INTFLAG.EXTINT[x] or NMIFLAG) directly. In this mode, the EIC clock is not requested.
The asynchronous edge detection mode can be used in Idle and Standby sleep modes.