PWM-Rechner
Calculate Prescaler, TOP and Compare Registers for Timers/PWM on various Microcontrollers.
Best Configuration
Prescaler
1
TOP (ICR/ARR)
15,999
Compare (OCR)
8,000
Duty Cycle
50 %
| Prescaler | TOP | Compare | Current frequency | Error |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15999 | 8000 | 1.00000 kHz | 0.0000% |
| 8 | 1999 | 1000 | 1.00000 kHz | 0.0000% |
| 64 | 249 | 125 | 1.00000 kHz | 0.0000% |
| 256 | 62 | 31 | 992.063 Hz | 0.7937% |
| 1024 | 15 | 8 | 976.563 Hz | 2.3438% |
Arduino / AVR Code-Snippet
// ATmega328P Timer1 (16-bit), Fast PWM Mode 14 TCCR1A = _BV(COM1A1) | _BV(WGM11); TCCR1B = _BV(WGM13) | _BV(WGM12) | _BV(CS10); ICR1 = 15999; // TOP OCR1A = 8000; // Compare (50% duty)
Precise PWM Calculations
The PWM Calculator simplifies the process of configuring timer registers for microcontrollers. By inputting your desired target frequency in Hertz or period in milliseconds, the tool automatically calculates the necessary prescaler values and TOP register settings. It also determines the compare register values based on your specified duty cycle percentage. To speed up your development workflow, the tool even generates ready-to-use Arduino and AVR code snippets for direct implementation into your projects.
Applications in Embedded Systems
This tool is essential for developers working with microcontrollers to control hardware components like motors, servos, and LED brightness levels. By accurately calculating the timing parameters, you can ensure smooth motor movements or flicker-free dimming effects. Whether you are designing a custom robot or an IoT device, the calculator helps eliminate manual math errors when configuring timer registers for specific PWM frequencies and periods on various microcontroller architectures.
Secure Local Processing
Your privacy is a priority. All calculations performed by the PWM Calculator are executed directly in your web browser. No data, including your target frequencies or project parameters, is sent to any external server. This ensures that your proprietary hardware configurations remain private and secure while you calculate the necessary register values for your microcontroller projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PWM prescaler?
A prescaler is a clock divider used in microcontrollers to slow down the system clock for timer modules. It allows the timer to count slower than the main CPU frequency, enabling the generation of lower PWM frequencies without overloading the processor's capabilities or requiring high-speed calculations.
How do I calculate the duty cycle?
The duty cycle represents the percentage of time a signal is active within one period. For example, a 50% duty cycle means the signal is high for half the duration. Our tool calculates this automatically based on your target frequency and desired output intensity to simplify your coding process.
Does the tool provide code for Arduino?
Yes, the PWM Calculator includes a feature that generates specific Arduino and AVR code snippets. These snippets include the calculated prescaler, TOP, and compare values, allowing you to quickly copy and paste the configuration into your project instead of manually calculating register constants.
What is the TOP register in PWM?
The TOP register defines the maximum value that a timer counter can reach before it resets or wraps around. This value determines the total period of the PWM signal. Correctly setting this register is crucial for achieving the specific frequency required by your motor drivers or LED controllers.