10-Bit PWM MPLAB® Code Configurator Example

Last modified by Microchip on 2023/11/09 09:10

MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC) makes setting up a 10-bit PWM peripheral easy. The steps include setting up the I/O, Timer2, and PWM module to make it run. MCC will automatically generate the code to load the proper registers and initialize the proper values to produce the desired PWM signal.

The best way to show how this is done is through a simple example. We will configure a PIC16F1825 Capture/Compare/PWM peripheral to create a PWM signal at 500 Hz, 50% duty cycle using a 4 MHz system clock and 1:16 prescaler.

MCC CCP:PWM Setup


The first step after launching MCC within MPLAB® X is to select the peripherals we will use and set up the PWM. As seen below, the three resources required are the System, TMR2::Timer, and the CCP3:PWM modules with the MCC list of options.

project resources list

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System Setup

The system is where the oscillator speed is selected and any changes to the configuration settings you may need. Select the 4 MHz internal oscillator as shown in the picture below.

system setup window

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Timer2 Setup

Timer2 uses the oscillator selected in the System section to adjust the Timer2 period. Enter the time of "2.0 ms" for the period to yield a 500 Hz frequency. Select the prescaler as 1:16 from the drop-down menu. Check the Start Timer After Initialization box. This will start the timer running and also the PWM signal after the PIC16F1825 finishes initializing all the peripherals.

timer 2 setup window

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CCP3:PWM Setup

By selecting the CCP3:PWM, MCC automatically selects the I/O pin RA2 in the I/O selection window. The RA2 pin actually shows up with the label CCP3 in green to show that the CCP3 peripheral now controls the I/O pin.

i/o setup window

The CCP3:PWM setup screen is where the Duty Cycle is selected. Enter "50" for 50%.

PWM period and frequency are displayed in this window as well based on the Timer2 selection window.

pwm setup window

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Generate Code


When all the setup screens are complete, click the MCC Generate Code button Generate Code button and MCC produces the software files for the project. The MCC will produce a main.c file that contains a System_Initialize function as its only component.

main.c source file

The System_Initialize function is placed in a file named mcc.c.
System_Initialize calls four functions:

OSCILLATOR_Initialize();
PIN_MANAGER_Initialize();
TMR2_Initialize();
PWM3_Initialize();

systeminit functionThe OSCILLATOR_Initialize function takes the Oscillator Settings selected and sets up the proper registers for the 4 MHz internal oscillator.

oscinit functionThe PIN_MANAGER_Initialize function sets the registers for the I/O pins.

pin manager init functionThe TMR2_Initialize function sets the registers for the Timer2 settings selected including the prescaler and PR2 value.

timer2init functionThe PWM3_Initialize function selects the settings for the 50% duty cycle value. Notice the CCP3RL register is loaded with the proper value to create the proper high time of the 50% duty cycle.

pwm3 init funtionThe code is then compiled within MPLABX IDE environment and programmed into the PIC16F1825. The device will start operating as soon as it's powered up. Timer2 will start running immediately after the initialization phase of the code. The results are shown on the oscilloscope screen capture below. The screen capture shows, in the measurement section, a period of 2 milliseconds and frequency of 500 Hz as we expected. Each pulse is an equal 1 milliseconds off the center of the signal for a perfect 50% duty cycle.

screen capture of scope showing the pwm output

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