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The 8051 Microcontroller

Chapter 4
Timer Operation
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chithong@hcmut.edu.vn
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Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
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Review of 3-bit Up Counter

000


001





111


000
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Overflow

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Timer/Counter
8051 has 2 timers
Timer 0
Timer 1

Each Timer is a 16-bit up counter

Counts from 0000H to FFFFH
FFFFH-to-0000H overflow: overflow flag is set
Timer Clock

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Timer/Counter
3 Functions
1. Timer is used as time delay generator (interval
timing)
Internal clock source

2. An event counter (event counting)

External clock source
For example :

number of people passing through an entrance

number of wheel rotations
any other event that can be converted to pulses

3. Baud rate generation for serial port

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Clock Source
Internal clock fCLK = fCrystal / 12
to Timer

External clock

C/T
0
1

Clock
Function
Internal Timer (interval timing, delay)
External Counter (event counting)
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Timer 1 mode 1 (16 bit)

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Clock Enable/Disable
Clock Enable/Disable

Gate TRx

INTx

Function

0
1

X
X

Clock Disable
Timer Stops

Clock Enable
Timer Runs

0
1

X
1

Clock Disable
Timer Stops

Clock Enable
Timer Runs

TRx: Bit TR0 or TR1; INTx: pin INT0 or pin INT1

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Timer Run/Stop
Gate TRx
0
1

0
1
0
1

INTx

Function

X
X
X
1

Clock Disable
Timer Stops

Clock Enable
Timer Runs
Clock Disable
Timer Stops
Clock Enable
Timer Runs

When Gate is cleared (0)

Timer runs when TRx = 1
Timer stops when TRx = 0
When Gate is set (1)
Timer runs when TRx = 1 and signal at pin INTx goes high
Timer stops when TRx = 0 or signal at pin INTx goes low
TRx: Bit TR0 or TR1; INTx: pin INT0 or pin INT1
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GATE bit: More details

GATE=0
Internal control
The start and stop of the timer are controlled by the software
Ex: SETB TR1 ; Run Timer 1
CLR TR1 ; Stop Timer 1
GATE=1
External control
The hardware way of
starting and stopping
Timer Timer
the timer by software
stops runs
and an external source.
When GATE is set and TRx is set
(SETB TRx), Timer runs only while the INTx pin is high.
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Applications of Timer
Gate C/T Application
0

Delay

Event counting; Frequency meter

Pulse width meter

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Timer Registers
TH0, TL0 registers
TH1, TL1 registers
TMOD register
TCON register

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Timer 0 and Timer 1 Registers

Timer 0
TH0

TL0

D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Timer 1
TH1

TL1

D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

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TMOD Register
TMOD: Timer Mode Register
(MSB)
GATE C/T M1 M0 GATE C/T M1
Timer 1
Timer 0

(LSB)
M0

GATE

0:
1:

Timer/counter counts only while TRx bit is set.

Timer/counter counts only while TRx bit is set and
INTx pin is high

C/T

0:
1:

Timer operation (clock : Machine cycle)

Counter operation (clock : Tx input pin)

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M1, M0: mode setting bits

M1 M0 Mode Operating mode
0

13-bit timer mode

8-bit THx + 5-bit TLx (x= 0 or 1)

16-bit timer mode

8-bit THx + 8-bit TLx

8-bit auto-reload mode

8-bit auto reload timer/counter;
THx holds a value which is to be reloaded into
TLx each time it overflows.

Split timer mode

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An Example
TMOD: Timer Mode Register
(MSB)
GATE C/T M1 M0 GATE C/T M1
Timer 1
Timer 0

(LSB)
M0

Find the value for TMOD if we want to program timer 0 in mode 2,

use 8051 XTAL for the clock source, and use instructions to start
and stop the timer.
Solution:
TMOD= 0000 0010 Timer 1 is not used.
Timer 0, mode 2
C/T = 0 to use internal clock source (timer)
GATE = 0 to use internal (software) start and
stop method.
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More Examples
TMOD: Timer Mode Register
(MSB)
GATE C/T M1 M0 GATE C/T M1
Timer 1
Timer 0

(LSB)
M0

Ex:
MOV TMOD,#00000001B ; Timer 0 mode 1, timer operation
MOV TMOD,#20H ; Timer 1 mode 2, timer operation
MOV TMOD,#12H ; Timer 1 mode 1, Timer 0 mode 2, both timer
; operation
MOV TMOD,#00000101B ; Timer 0 mode 1, counter operation
MOV TMOD,#00001001B ; Timer 0 mode 1, external control (GATE=1)

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4 Timer Modes

Mode 0 : 13-bit counter

(4048 mode)

Mode 1 : 16-bit counter

Mode 2 : 8-bit auto reload counter

Mode 3 : two 8-bit counter
the other counter will not
output overflow (interrupt)
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TCON Register (1)

Timer control register: TCON
Upper nibble : timer/counter
Lower nibble : interrupts
TR (run control bit)
TR0 : Timer/counter 0
TR1: Timer/counter 1.
Turn timer/counter on/off.
TR=0: off (stop)
TR=1: on (start)

(MSB)
TF1 TR1
Timer 1

TF0 TR0
Timer0

IE1

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IT1 IE0
for Interrupt

(LSB)
IT0
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TCON Register (2)

TF (timer overflow flag)
TF0 : for Timer/counter 0
TF1 : for Timer/counter 1.
Originally, TF=0. When TH-TL roll over to 0000 from
FFFFH (overflow), the TF is set to 1.
If we enable interrupt, TF=1 will trigger ISR.

(MSB)
TF1 TR1
Timer 1

TF0 TR0
Timer0

IE1

IT1 IE0
for Interrupt

(LSB)
IT0

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Delay 100 s using Timer 1 (12 MHz crystal)

12 MHz Crystal
fCLK = 12MHz/12 = 1MHz

1 MC = 1/1MHz = 1 s

tDelay = 100 s = 100 MC

Use Timer 1 to count from -100 to 0
Timer 1 mode 1, timer operation

TMOD = 00010000B or 10H
Initial count TH1:TL1 = -100
-100 = FF9CH

TH1 = FFH and TL1 = 9CH

TMOD 10H
TH1:TL1 -100
Run Timer 1
N

Overflow?
(TF1=1?)
Y
Clear overflow flag
Stop Timer 1

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Delay 100 s using Timer 1 (12 MHz crystal)

MOV TMOD, #00010000B; Timer 1, mode1
MOV TL1, #9CH
; Initial count
TMOD 10H
MOV TH1,#0FFH
; -100 = FF9CH
SETB TR1
; start Timer 1
TH1:TL1 -100
WAIT: JNB TF1, WAIT
; wait for overflow
Run Timer 1
CLR
TF1
; clear overflow flag
CLR
TR1
; stop Timer 1
N
Note:
Overflow?
(TF1=1?)
MOV TL1,#9CH = MOV TL1,#LOW(-100)
MOV TH1,0FFH = MOV TH1,#HIGH(-100)
Y
WAIT: JNB TF1, WAIT = JNB TF1,$
Clear overflow flag
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Stop Timer 121

Delay 25 s using Timer 0 (24 MHz crystal)

Your Turn!

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Delay 25 s using Timer 0 (24 MHz crystal)

MOV
MOV
MOV
SETB
JNB
CLR
CLR

TMOD, #01H
TH0,#HIGH -50
TL0, #LOW -50
TR0
TF0, $
TF0
TR0

; Timer 0, mode 1: 16 bit

; Load high byte
; Load low byte
; start Timer 0
; wait for overflow
; clear Timer 0 overflow flag
; stop Timer 0

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10-Hz Square Wave

Write a program using Timer 0
to create a 10 Hz square wave on P1.0

Timer 0 mode 1
Initial count = -50,000

tH

tL

f = 10 Hz
T = 100,000 s
tH = tL = 50,000 s

Delay 50,000 s

Overflow?
(TF1=1?)
Y
Clear overflow flag

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

Stop Timer 1

(schematic)

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

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Start Timer 1

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10-Hz Square Wave

Write a program using Timer 0 to create a 10 Hz square wave on P1.0
MOV
LOOP: MOV
MOV
SETB
WAIT: JNB
CLR
CLR
CPL
SJMP

TMOD, #01H ; Timer 0, mode 1 (16-bit timer mode)

TH0, #HIGH(-50000); high byte of -50,000
TL0, #LOW(-50000) ; low byte of -50,000
TR0
; start timer
TF0, WAIT
; wait for overflow
TR0
; stop timer
TF0
; clear timer overflow flag
P1.0
; toggle port bit
LOOP
; repeat
Delay 50,000 s

(source)

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

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10-kHz Square Wave

Write a program using Timer 0 to create a 10 kHz square wave on P1.0

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10-kHz Square Wave

Write a program using Timer 0 to create a 10 kHz square wave on P1.0
MOV
LOOP: MOV
MOV
SETB
WAIT: JNB
CLR
CLR
CPL
SJMP

TMOD, #01H ; Timer 0, mode 1 (16-bit timer mode)

TH0, #HIGH(-50); high byte of -50
TL0, #LOW(-50); low byte of -50
TR0
; start timer
TF0, WAIT
; wait for overflow
TR0
; stop timer
TF0
; clear timer overflow flag
P1.0
; toggle port bit
LOOP
; repeat
Delay 50 s

Mode 1: 16-bit timer

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

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10-kHz Square Wave using Mode 2

Write a program using Timer 0
to create a 10 kHz square wave on P1.0

Timer 0 mode 2
Reload value = -50
Start Timer 1

Mode 2: 8-bit auto-reload timer

N

Delay 50 s

Overflow?
(TF1=1?)
Y
Clear overflow flag

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

P1.0 NOT (P1.0)

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10-kHz Square Wave using Mode 2

Write a program using Timer 0 to create a 10 kHz square wave on P1.0
MOV
MOV
SETB
WAIT: JNB
CLR
CPL
SJMP

TMOD, #02H
TH0, #-50
TR0
TF0, WAIT
TF0
P1.0
WAIT

; Timer 0, mode 2 (8-bit auto-reload)

; reload value
; start timer
; wait for overflow
; clear timer overflow flag
; toggle port bit
; repeat

Mode 2: 8-bit auto-reload timer

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Buzzer Interface
A buzzer is connected to P1.7 and a debounced switch is connected
to P1.6. Write a program that reads the logic level provided by the
switch and sounds the buzzer for 1 second for each 1-to-0 transition
detected.

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Buzzer Interface
HUNDRED EQU
COUNT EQU

LOOP:
WAIT:

100
-10000

ORG 0000H
MOV TMOD, #01H
JNB P1.6, LOOP ;wait for high level
JB P1.6, WAIT ;wait for low level
SETB P1.7
CALL DELAY
CLR P1.7
SJMP LOOP

DELAY: MOV R7,#HUNDRED

AGAIN: MOV TH0,#HIGH COUNT
MOV TL0,#LOW COUNT
SETB TR0
JNB TF0,$
CLR TF0
CLR TR0
DJNZ R7,AGAIN
RET
END

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Reading a timer On the Fly

When reading the content of counter, is the data correct?
16-bit timer/counter, but 8-bit reading (MOV instruction)

2 read operations

A phase error may occur.
Solution
AGAIN:MOV A, TH1
MOV R6, TL1
CJNE A, TH1, AGAIN
MOV R7, A

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Techniques for Programming Timed Intervals

12 MHz operation
Maximum
interval [s]

Technique

10

Software tuning

256

8-bit timer with auto-reload

65536
No limit

16-bit timer
16-bit timer plus software loops

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Very Short Intervals

Very short intervals (i.e. high frequencies) can be
programmed without using timers.
LOOP:

SETB P1.0
CLR
P1.0
SJMP LOOP

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Delay 1 s using Timer 1 (12 MHz crystal)

1 s delay subroutine: 1 s = 20 x 50 ms
MOV

DELAY1S:
PUSH
MOV
LOOP: MOV
MOV
SETB
JNB
CLR
CLR
DJNZ
POP
RET

TMOD, #00010000B

; Timer 1, mode1

07
R7,#20
TL1, #LOW(-50000)
TH1,#HIGH(-50000)
TR1
TF1, $
TF1
TR1
R7,LOOP
07

; Push R7 to stack
; 20 loops
; Initial count = -50000
;
; start Timer 1
; wait for overflow
; clear overflow flag
; stop Timer 1
; Pop R7 from stack
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Counter Operation
Internal clock fCLK = fCrystal / 12
to Timer

External clock

C/T
0
1

Clock
Function
Internal Timer (interval timing, delay)
External Counter (event counting)
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Counter 0 Mode 1
C/T = 1
16-bit counter (TH0 and TL0)
TH0-TL0 is incremented when TR0 is set to 1 and an external
pulse (in T0) occurs.
Timer 0
external clock
input
(P3.4/T0)

C/T = 1

Overflow
flag
TH0

TL0

TF0

TF0 goes high

when FFFF
0

TR0
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Counter_BarLED
A push button is connected to P3.4 (T0). Assume that there is no
contact bounce. Write a program that counts the pulses created by
push button and display on the LED-Bargraph connected to Port 1.
(schematic)

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Counter_BarLED
ORG 0000H
MAIN:
MOV TMOD,#00000101B;Timer 0, 16 bit, external clock
;(counter operation)
;Gate=0, C/T=1, M1 M0 = 01
MOV TH0,#0
MOV TL0,#0
SETB TR0
;Start Timer
LOOP: MOV A,TL0
;Read Timer
MOV P1,A
;Display on Bar-LED
SJMP LOOP
END
(source)

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Counter_7segLED
A push button is connected to P3.4 (T0). Assume that there is no
contact bounce. Write a program that counts the pulses created by
push button and display on the common-anode 7-segment LED
connected to Port 1. (schematic)

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Counter_7segLED
MAIN:

LOOP:

NEXT:

ORG 0000H
MOV TMOD,#00000101B
MOV TH0,#0
MOV TL0,#0
SETB TR0
MOV A,TL0
CJNE A,#10,NEXT
CLR A
MOV TL0,#0
ACALL DISPLAY
SJMP LOOP

BCDTO7SEG:
MOV DPTR,#TABLE
MOVC A,@A+DPTR
RET
TABLE: DB 40h,79h,24h,30h,19h
DB 12h,02h,78h,00h,10h
DONE: NOP
END

DISPLAY:
ACALL BCDTO7SEG
MOV P1,A
RET
(source)
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Frequency Meter_7segLED
A clock source is connected to P3.4 (T0). Write a program that
displays the frequency in KHz on the common-anode 7-segment
LED connected to Port 1. (schematic)

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Frequency Meter_7segLED
ORG 0000H
MOV TMOD,#00010101B
DISPLAY:
SETB P3.4 ;make T0 as input
ACALL BCDTO7SEG
AGAIN: MOV TL0,#0
MOV P1,A
MOV TL1,#LOW(-1000)
RET
MOV TH1,#HIGH(-1000)
SETB TR0
BCDTO7SEG:
SETB TR1
MOV DPTR,#TABLE
JNB TF1,$
MOVC A,@A+DPTR
CLR TF1
RET
CLR TR1
CLR TR0
TABLE: DB 40h,79h,24h,30h,19h
MOV A,TL0
DB 12h,02h,78h,00h,10h
ACALL DISPLAY
SJMP AGAIN
DONE: NOP
END
(source)
MAIN:

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GATE=1
GATE=0
Internal control
The start and stop of the timer are controlled by the software
Ex: SETB TR1 ; Run Timer 1
CLR TR1 ; Stop Timer 1
GATE=1
External control
The hardware way of
starting and stopping
Timer Timer
the timer by software
stops runs
and an external source.
When GATE is set and TRx is set
(SETB TRx), Timer runs only while the INTx pin is high.
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Pulse_width_7segLED
A pulse source is connected to P3.2 (/INT0). Write a program that
displays the pulse width in ms (approximate) on the commonanode 7-segment LED connected to Port 1. (schematic)

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Pulse_width_7segLED
ORG 0000H
MOV TMOD,#00001001B
;Timer 0,16 bit,internal clock,GATE=1
MOV TH0,#0
MOV TL0,#0
SETB TR0
AGAIN: MOV A,TH0
CJNE A,TH0,AGAIN
MOV B,#4
DIV AB
;A=Pulse width in us/256/4
;approximate /1000
ACALL DISPLAY
SJMP AGAIN

DISPLAY:
ACALL BCDTO7SEG
MOV P1,A
RET
BCDTO7SEG:
MOV DPTR,#TABLE
MOVC A,@A+DPTR
RET
TABLE: DB 40h,79h,24h,30h,19h
DB 12h,02h,78h,00h,10h
DONE: NOP
END

(source)

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References
I. Scott MacKenzie , The 8051 Microcontroller, 2nd
Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1995
Kenneth J. Ayala, The 8051 Microcontroller:
Architecture, Programming, and Applications, West
Publishing Company
hsabaghianb@kashanu.ac.jr , Lecture notes

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