Pic18f - Pwm

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading Nigel's tutorial and I now understand how to operate the hardware PWM in the PIC that I wish to use (18F2431).

My question is, once I set all the required registers for hardware PWM, does that continue to use processor cycles like a software pwm? ... I'm not sure I'm being very clear, but what I mean is, if I am reading a keypad and displaying to an LCD as well, will this disrupt the operation of the pwm?

I have a couple of days off before I start my university exam revision for the semester so I thought I'd "restart" the project again... As a result, I'm sure I'll have a few more questions, it might be relatively obvious but I've never used a PIC before... I don't know whether this was a good project to start with, I thought the hardware PWM would simplify my life, but it seems to have complicated it for the moment...

Thank you,
EroSennin.

does that continue to use processor cycles like a software pwm?

Click to expand...

The PWM uses dedicated hardware, you only need the processor to set it up. Once it is setup and running it does not use processor cycles because it is not executing code.

Excellent, that's what I meant! Thanks.

Now it's time to start meshing together the various aspects...

One thing I use extensivly with PWM, is the ability to change the PWM and duty cycle on the fly

The developer of Swordfish released a module called **broken link removed** and allows the user to change PWM settings like so;


Handy! I've used it for control of motor speeds, LED brightness and simple DAC

Hi Gramo,

I saw you reply to a post I had made about Colour Sensing, and clicked around the site you have in your signature.

It looks pretty nice, so I've joined it... I'm about to write a post haha, this doesn't mean ETO that I will ditch you... I promise.

Well basically, for what I want to do, there are 3 PWMs and the user will enter the required duty from 0 to 255, and each controls the brightness of a series of RGB leds...

Thank you for your advice.