
86
SAM9G45 [DATASHEET]
6438K–ATARM–12-Feb-13
The Real-time Timer can also be used as a free-running timer with a lower time-base. The best accuracy is
achieved by writing RTPRES to 3. Programming RTPRES to 1 or 2 is possible, but may result in losing status
events because the status register is cleared two Slow Clock cycles after read. Thus if the RTT is configured to trig-
ger an interrupt, the interrupt occurs during 2 Slow Clock cycles after reading RTT_SR. To prevent several
executions of the interrupt handler, the interrupt must be disabled in the interrupt handler and re-enabled when the
status register is clear.
The Real-time Timer value (CRTV) can be read at any time in the register RTT_VR (Real-time Value Register). As
this value can be updated asynchronously from the Master Clock, it is advisable to read this register twice at the
same value to improve accuracy of the returned value.
The current value of the counter is compared with the value written in the alarm register RTT_AR (Real-time Alarm
Register). If the counter value matches the alarm, the bit ALMS in RTT_SR is set. The alarm register is set to its
maximum value, corresponding to 0xFFFF_FFFF, after a reset.
The bit RTTINC in RTT_SR is set each time the Real-time Timer counter is incremented. This bit can be used to
start a periodic interrupt, the period being one second when the RTPRES is programmed with 0x8000 and Slow
Clock equal to 32.768 Hz.
Reading the RTT_SR status register resets the RTTINC and ALMS fields.
Writing the bit RTTRST in RTT_MR immediately reloads and restarts the clock divider with the new programmed
value. This also resets the 32-bit counter.
Note:
Because of the asynchronism between the Slow Clock (SCLK) and the System Clock (MCK):
1) The restart of the counter and the reset of the RTT_VR current value register is effective only 2 slow clock cycles
after the write of the RTTRST bit in the RTT_MR register.
2) The status register flags reset is taken into account only 2 slow clock cycles after the read of the RTT_SR (Status
Register).
Figure 13-2. RTT Counting
Prescaler
ALMV
ALMV-1
0
ALMV+1
0
RTPRES - 1
RTT
APB cycle
read RTT_SR
ALMS (RTT_SR)
APB Interface
SCLK
RTTINC (RTT_SR)
ALMV+2
ALMV+3
...
APB cycle