Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) is a category of peripherals available on many AVR® devices. This application note focuses on the tinyAVR® 1-Series, but the general principles apply across all devices equipped with CIPs, even though the specific peripheral features and design may vary.
A CIP is designed to handle its tasks among one or multiple peripherals with no code or supervision from the CPU to maintain the operation. This brings up many advantages, such as providing short and predictable response times between peripherals, reducing the complexity and execution time of the software, as well as the possibility of reduced power consumption.
There is a number of CIPs available on devices in the tinyAVR® 1-Series. Examples are: Event System (EVSYS), Configurable Custom Logic (CCL), Timer/Counter A and B (TCA/TCB), Real Timer Counter (RTC), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and CRCSCAN.
This application note will first introduce the two most powerful building blocks in a core independent application: the CCL and the Event System. Then an application example is presented that combines the CCL, Event System, RTC, and ADC to filter the signal from a button and initiate an ADC conversion core independently. This may help users start building their own projects using CIPs.