23. Basic timers (TIM6/7)

23.1 Introduction

The basic timers TIM6, TIM7 consist of a 16-bit auto-reload counter driven by a programmable prescaler.

They can be used as generic timers for timebase generation but they are also specifically used to drive the digital-to-analog converter (DAC). In fact, the timers are internally connected to the DAC and are able to drive it through their trigger outputs.

The timers are completely independent, and do not share any resources.

23.2 TIM6/7 main features

Basic timer (TIM6/TIM7) features include:

Figure 190. Basic timer block diagram

Figure 190. Basic timer block diagram

The block diagram illustrates the internal architecture of the TIM6/7 basic timer. The main components are:

Notes:

MS33142V1

Figure 190. Basic timer block diagram

23.3 TIM6/7 functional description

23.3.1 Time-base unit

The main block of the programmable timer is a 16-bit upcounter with its related auto-reload register. The counter clock can be divided by a prescaler.

The counter, the auto-reload register and the prescaler register can be written or read by software. This is true even when the counter is running.

The time-base unit includes:

The auto-reload register is preloaded. The preload register is accessed each time an attempt is made to write or read the auto-reload register. The contents of the preload register are transferred into the shadow register permanently or at each update event UEV, depending on the auto-reload preload enable bit (ARPE) in the TIMx_CR1 register. The update event is sent when the counter reaches the overflow value and if the UDIS bit equals 0 in the TIMx_CR1 register. It can also be generated by software. The generation of the update event is described in detail for each configuration.

The counter is clocked by the prescaler output CK_CNT, which is enabled only when the counter enable bit (CEN) in the TIMx_CR1 register is set.

Note that the actual counter enable signal CNT_EN is set 1 clock cycle after CEN.

Prescaler description

The prescaler can divide the counter clock frequency by any factor between 1 and 65536. It is based on a 16-bit counter controlled through a 16-bit register (in the TIMx_PSC register). It can be changed on the fly as the TIMx_PSC control register is buffered. The new prescaler ratio is taken into account at the next update event.

Figure 191 and Figure 192 give some examples of the counter behavior when the prescaler ratio is changed on the fly.

Figure 191. Counter timing diagram with prescaler division change from 1 to 2

Timing diagram for Figure 191 showing signal transitions for CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock, Counter register, Update event, Prescaler control register, Prescaler buffer, and Prescaler counter. The diagram illustrates a change in prescaler division from 1 to 2.

This timing diagram shows the relationship between several signals over time. The signals are: CK_PSC (a periodic square wave), CEN (an active-low enable signal), Timerclock = CK_CNT (a square wave derived from CK_PSC), Counter register (showing hexadecimal values F7, F8, F9, FA, FB, FC, 00, 01, 02, 03), Update event (UEV) (a pulse), Prescaler control register (showing values 0 and 1), Prescaler buffer (showing values 0 and 1), and Prescaler counter (showing a sequence of 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1). Vertical dashed lines indicate key events: the rising edge of CK_PSC that starts counting, the falling edge of CEN that enables counting, the rising edge of Timerclock that increments the counter, the falling edge of UEV that triggers an update, and the rising edge of the Prescaler control register that updates the prescaler buffer. An arrow points to the Prescaler control register with the text 'Write a new value in TIMx_PSC'. The diagram is labeled MS31076V2 in the bottom right corner.

Timing diagram for Figure 191 showing signal transitions for CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock, Counter register, Update event, Prescaler control register, Prescaler buffer, and Prescaler counter. The diagram illustrates a change in prescaler division from 1 to 2.

Figure 192. Counter timing diagram with prescaler division change from 1 to 4

Timing diagram for Figure 192 showing signal transitions for CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock, Counter register, Update event, Prescaler control register, Prescaler buffer, and Prescaler counter. The diagram illustrates a change in prescaler division from 1 to 4.

This timing diagram is similar to Figure 191 but shows a change in prescaler division from 1 to 4. The signals and their behavior are: CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock = CK_CNT, Counter register (values F7, F8, F9, FA, FB, FC, 00, 01), Update event (UEV), Prescaler control register (values 0 and 3), Prescaler buffer (values 0 and 3), and Prescaler counter (values 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3). The sequence of values in the Prescaler control register, Prescaler buffer, and Prescaler counter reflects the division change from 1 to 4. The diagram is labeled MS31077V2 in the bottom right corner.

Timing diagram for Figure 192 showing signal transitions for CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock, Counter register, Update event, Prescaler control register, Prescaler buffer, and Prescaler counter. The diagram illustrates a change in prescaler division from 1 to 4.

23.3.2 Counting mode

The counter counts from 0 to the auto-reload value (contents of the TIMx_ARR register), then restarts from 0 and generates a counter overflow event.

An update event can be generated at each counter overflow or by setting the UG bit in the TIMx_EGR register (by software or by using the slave mode controller).

The UEV event can be disabled by software by setting the UDIS bit in the TIMx_CR1 register. This avoids updating the shadow registers while writing new values into the preload registers. In this way, no update event occurs until the UDIS bit has been written to 0, however, the counter and the prescaler counter both restart from 0 (but the prescale rate does not change). In addition, if the URS (update request selection) bit in the TIMx_CR1 register is set, setting the UG bit generates an update event UEV, but the UIF flag is not set (so no interrupt or DMA request is sent).

When an update event occurs, all the registers are updated and the update flag (UIF bit in the TIMx_SR register) is set (depending on the URS bit):

The following figures show some examples of the counter behavior for different clock frequencies when TIMx_ARR = 0x36.

Figure 193. Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by 1

Timing diagram for a counter in counting mode. The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), counter enable (CNT_EN), timer clock (Timerclock = CK_CNT), counter register values, counter overflow, update event (UEV), and update interrupt flag (UIF).

The timing diagram illustrates the counter's behavior over time. The top signal, CK_PSC, is a periodic square wave. Below it, CNT_EN is a signal that goes high to enable the counter. When enabled, the Timerclock = CK_CNT signal becomes a square wave with a frequency twice that of CK_PSC. The Counter register is shown as a sequence of values: 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07. The Counter overflow signal is a pulse that occurs when the counter reaches the value 36. The Update event (UEV) signal is a pulse that occurs when the counter overflows. The Update interrupt flag (UIF) signal is a pulse that occurs when the counter overflows. Vertical dashed lines indicate the timing relationships between the signals.

MS31078V2

Timing diagram for a counter in counting mode. The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), counter enable (CNT_EN), timer clock (Timerclock = CK_CNT), counter register values, counter overflow, update event (UEV), and update interrupt flag (UIF).

Figure 194. Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by 2

Timing diagram for internal clock divided by 2. It shows CK_PSC, CNT_EN, Timerclock = CK_CNT, Counter register values (0034, 0035, 0036, 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003), Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) over time.

This timing diagram illustrates the operation of a basic timer with the internal clock divided by 2. The top signal, CK_PSC, is a periodic square wave. Below it, CNT_EN is a high-level enable signal. The Timerclock = CK_CNT signal is a square wave with a frequency half that of CK_PSC. The Counter register shows a sequence of values: 0034, 0035, 0036, 0000, 0001, 0002, and 0003. Vertical dashed lines indicate key timing points: the first at the rising edge of Timerclock when the counter is 0034, the second at the rising edge when it is 0036, and the third at the rising edge after the overflow to 0000. At the third dashed line, the Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) signals all transition from low to high. The UIF signal remains high until the counter reaches 0001.

Timing diagram for internal clock divided by 2. It shows CK_PSC, CNT_EN, Timerclock = CK_CNT, Counter register values (0034, 0035, 0036, 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003), Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) over time.

MS31079V2

Figure 195. Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by 4

Timing diagram for internal clock divided by 4. It shows CK_PSC, CNT_EN, Timerclock = CK_CNT, Counter register values (0035, 0036, 0000, 0001), Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) over time.

This timing diagram illustrates the operation of a basic timer with the internal clock divided by 4. The top signal, CK_PSC, is a periodic square wave. Below it, CNT_EN is a high-level enable signal. The Timerclock = CK_CNT signal is a square wave with a frequency one-quarter that of CK_PSC. The Counter register shows a sequence of values: 0035, 0036, 0000, and 0001. Vertical dashed lines indicate key timing points: the first at the rising edge of Timerclock when the counter is 0035, the second at the rising edge when it is 0036, and the third at the rising edge after the overflow to 0000. At the third dashed line, the Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) signals all transition from low to high. The UIF signal remains high until the counter reaches 0001.

Timing diagram for internal clock divided by 4. It shows CK_PSC, CNT_EN, Timerclock = CK_CNT, Counter register values (0035, 0036, 0000, 0001), Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), and Update interrupt flag (UIF) over time.

MS31080V2

Figure 196. Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by N

Figure 196: Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by N. The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), the timer clock (CK_CNT), the counter register value, counter overflow, update event (UEV), and update interrupt flag (UIF).

Figure 196 is a timing diagram for a basic timer (TIM6/7) using an internal clock divided by N. The diagram illustrates the following signals and their timing relationships:

The diagram shows two instances of the counter register. In the first instance, the counter starts at 1F and increments to 20. In the second instance, the counter starts at 00 and increments. The overflow event occurs when the counter transitions from 20 to 00.

MS31081V2

Figure 196: Counter timing diagram, internal clock divided by N. The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), the timer clock (CK_CNT), the counter register value, counter overflow, update event (UEV), and update interrupt flag (UIF).

Figure 197. Counter timing diagram, update event when ARPE = 0 (TIMx_ARR not preloaded)

Figure 197: Counter timing diagram, update event when ARPE = 0 (TIMx_ARR not preloaded). The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), the enable signal (CEN), the timer clock (CK_CNT), the counter register value, counter overflow, update event (UEV), update interrupt flag (UIF), and the auto-reload preload register.

Figure 197 is a timing diagram for a basic timer (TIM6/7) using an internal clock divided by N, with the update event occurring when ARPE = 0 (TIMx_ARR not preloaded). The diagram illustrates the following signals and their timing relationships:

The diagram shows the counter register incrementing from 31 to 36, then overflowing to 00. The overflow event occurs when the counter transitions from 36 to 00. The update event (UEV) and update interrupt flag (UIF) are generated at this point. The auto-reload preload register is updated from FF to 36 when a new value is written in TIMx_ARR.

MS31082V2

Figure 197: Counter timing diagram, update event when ARPE = 0 (TIMx_ARR not preloaded). The diagram shows the relationship between the prescaler clock (CK_PSC), the enable signal (CEN), the timer clock (CK_CNT), the counter register value, counter overflow, update event (UEV), update interrupt flag (UIF), and the auto-reload preload register.

Figure 198. Counter timing diagram, update event when ARPE=1 (TIMx_ARR preloaded)

Timing diagram showing the relationship between CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock (CK_CNT), Counter register values, Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), Update interrupt flag (UIF), and Auto-reload registers (preload and shadow) over time. The diagram shows the counter incrementing from F0 to F7, overflowing at F5, and then reloading with the value 36. The update event (UEV) and interrupt flag (UIF) are triggered at the overflow point. The auto-reload preload register is updated with F5, and the shadow register is updated with 36.

The timing diagram illustrates the operation of a basic timer (TIM6/7) with ARPE=1. The signals shown are:

MS31083V2

Timing diagram showing the relationship between CK_PSC, CEN, Timerclock (CK_CNT), Counter register values, Counter overflow, Update event (UEV), Update interrupt flag (UIF), and Auto-reload registers (preload and shadow) over time. The diagram shows the counter incrementing from F0 to F7, overflowing at F5, and then reloading with the value 36. The update event (UEV) and interrupt flag (UIF) are triggered at the overflow point. The auto-reload preload register is updated with F5, and the shadow register is updated with 36.

23.3.3 Clock source

The counter clock is provided by the Internal clock (CK_INT) source.

The CEN (in the TIMx_CR1 register) and UG bits (in the TIMx_EGR register) are actual control bits and can be changed only by software (except for UG that remains cleared automatically). As soon as the CEN bit is written to 1, the prescaler is clocked by the internal clock CK_INT.

Figure 199 shows the behavior of the control circuit and the upcounter in normal mode, without prescaler.

Figure 199. Control circuit in normal mode, internal clock divided by 1

Timing diagram for Figure 199 showing control circuit in normal mode. The diagram illustrates the relationship between the internal clock, counter enable (CEN=CNT_EN), update generation (UG), counter initialization (CNT_INIT), counter clock (CK_CNT = CK_PSC), and the counter register values over time.

The timing diagram shows the following signals and their relationship:

MS31085V2

Timing diagram for Figure 199 showing control circuit in normal mode. The diagram illustrates the relationship between the internal clock, counter enable (CEN=CNT_EN), update generation (UG), counter initialization (CNT_INIT), counter clock (CK_CNT = CK_PSC), and the counter register values over time.

23.3.4 Debug mode

When the microcontroller enters the debug mode (Cortex ® -M0+ core - halted), the TIMx counter either continues to work normally or stops, depending on the DBG_TIMx_STOP configuration bit in the DBG module. For more details, refer to Section 33.9.2: Debug support for timers, watchdog and I 2 C .

23.4 TIM6/7 registers

Refer to Section 1.2: List of abbreviations for registers for a list of abbreviations used in register descriptions.

The peripheral registers have to be written by half-words (16 bits) or words (32 bits). Read accesses can be done by bytes (8 bits), half-words (16 bits) or words (32 bits).

23.4.1 TIM6/7 control register 1 (TIMx_CR1)

Address offset: 0x00

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.ARPERes.Res.Res.OPMURSUDISCEN
rwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:8 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 7 ARPE : Auto-reload preload enable

0: TIMx_ARR register is not buffered.

1: TIMx_ARR register is buffered.

Bits 6:4 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 3 OPM : One-pulse mode

0: Counter is not stopped at update event

1: Counter stops counting at the next update event (clearing the CEN bit).

Bit 2 URS : Update request source

This bit is set and cleared by software to select the UEV event sources.

0: Any of the following events generates an update interrupt or DMA request if enabled.

These events can be:

1: Only counter overflow/underflow generates an update interrupt or DMA request if enabled.

Bit 1 UDIS : Update disable

This bit is set and cleared by software to enable/disable UEV event generation.

0: UEV enabled. The Update (UEV) event is generated by one of the following events:

Buffered registers are then loaded with their preload values.

1: UEV disabled. The Update event is not generated, shadow registers keep their value (ARR, PSC). However the counter and the prescaler are reinitialized if the UG bit is set or if a hardware reset is received from the slave mode controller.

Bit 0 CEN : Counter enable

0: Counter disabled

1: Counter enabled

Note: Gated mode can work only if the CEN bit has been previously set by software.

However trigger mode can set the CEN bit automatically by hardware.

CEN is cleared automatically in one-pulse mode, when an update event occurs.

23.4.2 TIM6/7 control register 2 (TIMx_CR2)

Address offset: 0x04

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.MMS[2:0]Res.Res.Res.Res.
rwrwrw

Bits 15:7 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bits 6:4 MMS : Master mode selection

These bits are used to select the information to be sent in master mode to slave timers for synchronization (TRGO). The combination is as follows:

000: Reset - the UG bit from the TIMx_EGR register is used as a trigger output (TRGO). If reset is generated by the trigger input (slave mode controller configured in reset mode) then the signal on TRGO is delayed compared to the actual reset.

001: Enable - the Counter enable signal, CNT_EN, is used as a trigger output (TRGO). It is useful to start several timers at the same time or to control a window in which a slave timer is enabled. The Counter Enable signal is generated by a logic OR between CEN control bit and the trigger input when configured in gated mode.

When the Counter Enable signal is controlled by the trigger input, there is a delay on TRGO, except if the master/slave mode is selected (see the MSM bit description in the TIMx_SMCR register).

010: Update - The update event is selected as a trigger output (TRGO). For instance a master timer can then be used as a prescaler for a slave timer.

Bits 3:0 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

23.4.3 TIM6/7 DMA/Interrupt enable register (TIMx_DIER)

Address offset: 0x0C

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UDERes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UIE
rwrw

Bits 15:9 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 8 UDE : Update DMA request enable

0: Update DMA request disabled.

1: Update DMA request enabled.

Bits 7:1 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 0 UIE : Update interrupt enable

0: Update interrupt disabled.

1: Update interrupt enabled.

23.4.4 TIM6/7 status register (TIMx_SR)

Address offset: 0x10

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UIF
rc_w0

Bits 15:1 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 0 UIF : Update interrupt flag

This bit is set by hardware on an update event. It is cleared by software.

0: No update occurred.

1: Update interrupt pending. This bit is set by hardware when the registers are updated:

23.4.5 TIM6/7 event generation register (TIMx_EGR)

Address offset: 0x14

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UG
w

Bits 15:1 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 0 UG : Update generation

This bit can be set by software, it is automatically cleared by hardware.

0: No action.

1: Re-initializes the timer counter and generates an update of the registers. Note that the prescaler counter is cleared too (but the prescaler ratio is not affected).

23.4.6 TIM6/7 counter (TIMx_CNT)

Address offset: 0x24

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
CNT[15:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:0 CNT[15:0] : Counter value

23.4.7 TIM6/7 prescaler (TIMx_PSC)

Address offset: 0x28

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
PSC[15:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:0 PSC[15:0] : Prescaler value

The counter clock frequency (CK_CNT) is equal to \( f_{CK\_PSC} / (PSC[15:0] + 1) \) .

PSC contains the value to be loaded in the active prescaler register at each update event (including when the counter is cleared through UG bit of TIMx_EGR register or through trigger controller when configured in “reset mode”).

23.4.8 TIM6/7 auto-reload register (TIMx_ARR)

Address offset: 0x2C

Reset value: 0xFFFF

1514131211109876543210
ARR[15:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:0 ARR[15:0] : Auto-reload value

ARR is the value to be loaded into the actual auto-reload register.

Refer to Section 23.3.1: Time-base unit on page 601 for more details about ARR update and behavior.

The counter is blocked while the auto-reload value is null.

23.4.9 TIM6/7 register map

TIMx registers are mapped as 16-bit addressable registers as described in the table below:

Table 106. TIM6/7 register map and reset values

OffsetRegister1514131211109876543210
0x00TIMx_CR1Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.ARPERes.Res.Res.OPMURSUDISCEN
Reset value00000
0x04TIMx_CR2Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.MMS[2:0]Res.Res.Res.Res.
Reset value000
0x08Res.
0x0CTIMx_DIERRes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UDERes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UIE
Reset value00
0x10TIMx_SRRes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UIF
Reset value0
0x14TIMx_EGRRes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.UG
Reset value0
0x18Res.
0x1CRes.
0x20Res.
0x24TIMx_CNTCNT[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000000
0x28TIMx_PSCPSC[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000000
0x2CTIMx_ARRARR[15:0]
Reset value1111111111111111

Refer to Section 2.2 on page 58 for the register boundary addresses.