Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers

CHAPTER 9 Taking timing further

We began to see in Chapter 6 how important counting and timing are in the embedded environment. We also saw how easy it is to count digitally and to convert that counting ability to an ability to measure time. We need now to take this capability much further, especially in the timing arena. Once we have good tools for timing, we can use them to underpin other microcontroller functions, like the generation of serial data or of pulse width modulation. We can also use those timing tools to facilitate complex external activity, generating, for example, the timing signals for an engine management system.

This chapter will explore counting and timing needs in the embedded environment and develop capabilities to meet ...