TIMERS / COUNTERS

- Two 16 bit timer/counters

- Can be programmed independently as timer or
event counter.
- Four-SFRs connected with TIMER/COUNTER
operation
- TMOD Timer Mode Register
- TCON Timer Control Register
- TH0, TL0 Timer/Counter - 0
- TH1, TL1 Timer/Counter - 1
- Two pins of 8051 connected with Timer/counter.
T0 Timer 0 external input P3.4
T1 Timer 1 external input P3.5
- INT0 and INT1 are also used for controlling the
timer/counters.

Timer Operation
Timer Register (TH0, TL0 or TH1, TL1) incremented every m/c cycle.
Thus working at increment frequency of 1/12 of oscillator frequency
( for 12 oscillator machine cycle ). Any preset value i.e. initial count
can be loaded to TH0, TL0 or TH1, TL1.
For Example Clock frequency = 12 MHZ
Clock period = 1/12 sec
Machine cycle time = 1 sec
Thus timer register will be incremented every microsecond.
- If timer is initialized to 0000H
Max. count = FFFFH
max. time measured = 216 sec
= 26 x 210 sec
26 millisecond
64 millisecond
= 65.5 millisecond

Counter Operation
- Counts pulses occurring at T0 pin (Timer/Counter
0) and/or T1 pin (Timer/counter 1).
- May correspond to event like
Passing of railway coach from a point axle counter
Rotation of speedometer cable
speedometer of vehicle
No. of persons visiting exhibition.

- T0, T1 scanned every m/c cycle

nth m/c cycle T1 or T0 = High
(n+1)th m/c T1 or T0 = Low
Timer 0 or timer 1 incremented in (n+1)th m/c cycle

- Count frequency = min 2 m/c cycle per count

- T0- P3.4, T1- P3.5

2 m/c
cycle
In 12 MHz 8051 m/c cycle = 1 sec
- 8051 can count at the rate of 2 sec per count or higher
- Any event when takes less than 2 sec may go unnoticed
- C/T bit of TMOD selects Timer or counter operation for
Timer 0 or Timer 1.
- Timer/Counter operations are controlled by
- Gate bit of TMOD
- TR0 bit of TCON
When Gate = 0 then
TR0, TR1 act as
Timer run control bits.

- Thus make Gate = 0 in TMOD

By making TR0 (TCON. 4) or TR1 (TCON. 6) = 1 .
through instruction, Timer/Counter 0 or
Timer/Counter 1 may be started.

- For starting and stopping the Timer/Counter

from outside through hardware.
Make Gate = 1, TR0 = 1 through software.

- By making INT0 or INT1 pin High will start

Timer/Counter 0 or Timer/Counter 1
Make INT0 or INT1 Low to stop the Timer/Counter.
INT0 - P3.2
INT1
- P3.3

As value in Timer register rolls

from all ones (i.e. FFFFH) to all
zeros (i.e. 0000H) interrupt flag
(TF0 or TF1) will be set.
- TF0 (for Timer 0) and TF1 (for
Timer 1) are bits of TCON SFR.
IF Timer 0 or Timer 1 interrupt is
enabled then program control will
branch to interrupt servicing
routine.

Timer
Regist
er

Interru
pt

TF0
Progra
m

Timer
ISR

RETI

Timer modes
Mode 0
Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3

- 4 modes
13 bit counter
16 bit counter
8 bit counter + auto reload
Split operation Timer 0

- Modes are set by M1 M0 bits of TMOD

register.
Mode 0 - 13 bit counter operation
- TH0, TL0 (for Timer 0) or TH1, TL1 (for Timer
1) used as 13 bit counter.
- All 8 bits of TH0 or TH1
- 5 lower bits of TL0 or TL1
are used, for counting.
- When count rolls over from all 1s to all 0s, interrupt flag TF0 or TF1 is set.

OS
C

12
C/T =
0
C/T =
1

T0
pin

Contr
ol

TH0
(8
bits)

TL0
(5
bits)

TF0

Interru
pt

TR
0
Gat
e
INT0
pin

Figure Timer 0, mode 0 - 13-bit

counter

In above figure when C/T = 0 - timer operation

count incremented every m/c cycle.
provided
TR0 (TCON. 4) or TR1 (TCON. 6) = 1
and Gate (TMOD. 3) or (TMOD. 7) = 0
Other way is- TR0 or TR1 =1
- Gate = 1 and INT0 or INT1 = 1
- Thus by sending Logic High signal on INT0 (or INT1)
pins Timer 0 or Timer 1 can be started.

- This can be used for finding pulse width in

the following way.
C/T = 0 Timer operation
TR0 or TR1 = 1
Gate = 1
Source of pulse connected to INT0 or INT1
pin
- When pulse goes high timer starts counting
at the rate 1/12 clock frequency
- Which pulse goes low Timer stops.
INT0 or INT1 = Low - causes interrupt.

Timer
Starts

Timer
+
Stops

Interrupt
Generated

- ISR can read the timer value.

- ISR can store the timer value and
process it as required by the
application.

Mode 1 16 bit counter

OS
C

12
C/T =
0
C/T =
1

T0
pin

Contr
ol

TH0
(8
bits)

TL0
(8
bits)

TF0

Interru
pt

TR
0
Gat
e
INT0
pin

Figure
Timer 0, mode 1 - 16-bit
counter.

- Operation same as mode 0 except that

all bits of TH0, TL0 or TH1, TL1 are used.
When count rolls over from all 1s to all
0s TF0 or TF1 interrupt flag is set.
- Causes interrupt if enabled.

Mode 2 8 bit operation with auto reload

OS
C

12
C/T =
0
C/T =
1

T0
pin
TR
0
Gat
e
INT0
pin

Contr
ol

TL0
(8
bits)

TF0

TH0
(8
bits)

Figure
Timer 0, mode 2 autoreload.

Interru
pt

- Only TL0 or TL1 are used i.e. 8 bit counting.

- Initial preset value is loaded to TH0 or TH1 by
software.
- The value is loaded to TL0 or TL1 by hardware
automatically before starts of counting.
- When count rolls from all 1s (i.e. FFH) to all 0s
(i.e. 00H)
- TF0 or TF1 flag is set
- Preset value in TH0 or TH1 is reloaded to TL0 or TL1
- Operation i.e. Counting starts automatically.

Mode 3 Split operation Timer 0

OS
C

12

(1/12)
fosc

T0
pin
Gat
e

(1/12)
fosc
C/T =
0
C/T =
1

Contr
ol

TL0
(8
bits)

TF0

TH0
(8
bits)

TF1

Interru
pt

TR
0

INT0
pin
(1/12)
fosc
TR
1

Contr
ol

Figure
Timer 0, mode 3-split to two
8-bit counters.

Interru
pt

- When Timer 0 is put in mode 3

- Acts as two 8 bit counters i.e. TL0 and TH0
become two separate counter.

TL0 8 bit operation in mode 0 or mode 1

(Timer or Counter) controlled by C/T,
TR0, Gate, INT0
Sets TF0 when count rolls to all 0s from all
1s.

TH0 Timer function only.

Controlled by TR1 i.e. starts when TR1 = 1.
When count rolls to all 0s from all 1s TF1
flag is set.

Note TR1 and TF1 are used in

Timer 0 (TH0) even though
they are
bits for Timer
1.
When Timer 1 is put in mode 3
It just holds the preset count
same as TR0 =
0 i.e. opening the switch.
[Modes 0, 1 and 2 are mostly used]

Timer Mode Control Register - TMOD

Bit
no.
Symb
ol

7
Gat
e

Timer
6 1 5
C/T

M1

Timer 0
4

M0

Gat
e

C/T

M1

M0

M1 and M0 specify the mode as

follows:
M1
M0
Mode
Description in brief
0

13-bit counter

16-bit counter

8-bit counter with autoreload

Split Timer 0 into two 8-bit counters or to

stop Timer 1

If C/T = 1, the timers function as counters to

count the negative transitions at T0 or T1 pins.
If C/T = 0, the timers function as timers, that is,
they basically count the number of machine
cycles.
Gate = 0 means that the timer is controlled by
TR1 or TR0 only, irrespective of INT0 or INT1.
Gate = 1 means that the timer control will
depend on INT0 or INT1 and also on TR0 or TR1
bits

When data is written it gets latched.

TMOD is used for setting mode bits M1,
M0,
Gate bit and C/T for Timer 0 and Timer
1.
Bit 0 to 3 for Timer 0.
Bit 4 to 7 for Timer 1.

Timer Control Register - TCON

Bit 0 to 3 used for interrupt functions
Bit 4 to 7 used for setting TR0, TR1 by software
- Setting TF0, TF1 by counter i.e. hardware
When count rolls from all 1s to all 0s.

Bit
no.
Symb
ol

TF1

TR1

TF0

TR0

IE1

IT1

IE0

IT0

TF
1:

Timer 1 overflow flag. Set by hardware when the

timer/counter overflows.
Cleared by hardware when the processor vectors to the
interrupt routine.

TR
1:

Timer 1 run control bit. Set/cleared by software to turn the

timer/counter on/off.

TF
0:

Timer 0 overflow flag. Set by hardware when the

timer/counter overflows.
Cleared by hardware when the processor vectors to the
interrupt routine.

TR
0:

Timer 0 run control bit. Set/cleared by software to turn the

timer/counter on/off.

Example
a. Configuring Timer/Counter using
TMOD
Timer
6 1 5

7
Gat
e

C/T

M1

Timer 0

M0

Gat
e

C/T

M1

M0

TIMER 1 - TIMER TIMER 0 Mode

=
Counter
00
Mode
= 01
(13 bit
(16 bit operation)
operation)
TR0
TR1
C/T
=
C/T
=
0
1
M1 M0 = 00
M1 M0 = 01
Gate
= 0
Gate
= 0
TMOD = 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
= 05H
MOV TMOD, #05H

b. To load initial count as

preset
value
- Work out the preset value = ABCDH
Timer 0
- Load the preset value
= 0000H
Timer
- Timer 1
MOV
MOV
MOV
MOV

TL0,
TH0,
TL1,
TH1,

#CDH
#ABH
#00H
#00H

Timer
1

c. Start Timer/Counter
6
5TR1
4
3
through
TR0,
7
TCON
=

TF1 TR1 TF0 TR0

Timer

IE1

IT1

IE0

IT0

Interru
pt

Make TR0 = 1, TR1 = 1

TCON = 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 = 5 0 H
MOV TCON, #50H
or SETB
TCON.4
SETB
TCON.6

d. When count value in Timer

Register
all 1s
todone.
all
- transits
Following from
tasks need
to be
0s Preset value to be loaded to Timer
Register
Timer interrupt flag (TF0 or TF1) to be
Forcleared
continuous operation of
Timer/Counter
Time clock
Pulse train generation etc.

- Can be achieved in 2 ways:

1. - Check Timer interrupt flag in loop.
JNB TCON.5, $ or
JNB TCON.7, $
- When interrupt flag is set then clear the
flag. CLR TCON.5 or CLR TCON.7
- Load the preset count and restart
SJMP to b

2. Write ISR for Timer 0 or Timer 1 and store

at location 000BH (for Timer 0) or 001BH
(for Timer 1)
- Enable Timer 0 or Timer 1 interrupt
by making bits ET0 (IE.1) or
ET1(IE.3) = 1.
SETB IE.1 or SETB IE.3
- When TF0 or TF1 is set
- Interrupt will occur and program will
branch to ISR location (000BH for Timer 0)
or (001BH for Timer 1).

- ISR
- clear flag TF0 or TF1
- load preset value
- Restart timer/counter
RETI
Step d will be different for different applications.
Example -1
- Generate a square wave of 50% duty cycle at pin
p1.7. Use Timer 1 to generate time delay.
Clock frequency = 12 MHz, 12
oscillator clock. Pulse width = 50 millisecond.
- Let us work out the initial preset value.

50
ms

50
ms

1 m/c cycle = 1 microsecond

50 millisecond = 50 x 103 microsecond
= 50, 000 m/c cycle
FFFF = 65535
Difference = 65535 - 50000 = 15535 m/c cycle
- Since count will roll from FFFF to 0000 additional m/c
cycle will be required to set TF0 or TF1 .

Thus initial count must be 15536

i.e. = 3CB0H
By putting initial preset count of
3CB0H (or 15536 decimal), the
register will reach FFFF in 49999 m/c
cycle and roll over to 0000 in
50,000th m/c cycle accounting for 50
millisecond

a. Configure Timer 1
7
0

6
0

5
0

4
1

3
0

2
0

1
0

0
0

Gate = 0, C/T = 0, Mode = 01

(16 bit operator)
MOV
TMOD , # 1 0 H
Make P1.7 = Low initially
CLR P1.7

b.

Load Preset Value

KK :

MOV TL1, #B0H

MOV TH1, #3CH

= 10
H

c. Complement P1.7
CPL P1.7
d. Start Timer 1 (TR1 = 1)
SETB TCON.6
e. Check for TF1=1 in loop
JNB TCON.7, $
f. TF1=1, Make TF1=0
CLR TCON.7
g. Stop Timer 1 Make TR1=0
CLR TCON.6
h. SJMP KK
To reload preset value
Complement
P1.7
Start
Timer 1.

Steps d to g can be written as subroutine.

Modified Program
MOV TMOD, #10H
CLR P1.7
AK. MOV TL1, #B0H
MOV TH1, #3CH
CPL P1.7
ACALL TDELY
SJMP KK

TDELY: SETB
TCON.6
JNB
TCON.7, $
CLR
TCON.7
CLR TCON.6
RET

Example -2
- Generate a square wave of ON time of 3
ms and OFF time of 2 ms on P1.0.
Clock frequency = 16 MHz, 12 clock m/c
cycle
- 16 MHz Frequency using Timer 1.
1 clock
period = 1/16 sec

- 1 m/c cycle = 12/16 sec = sec

1 ms = 1000 sec =
4000/3 m/c cycle
1333 m/c
cycle
- 2 ms 2666 m/c cycle.
Accounting for additional m/c cycle
2665
- 3 ms 4000 m/c cycle. Accounting
for additional m/c cycle 3999

Count can be very well represented in 16

bits. Thus
for 2 ms delay
65535 2665
= 62870 =F596H
for 3 ms delay
65535 3999 = 61536 = F060H
; Configure Timer 1
TMOD MOV0
=

0TMOD,
0
1

0
0
#10H

=
10H

; Load preset value for 3 ms

KK :
MOV
TL1, #60H
MOV
TH1, #F0H
; Make P1.0 = High
SETB P1.0
; Start Timer 1
SETB TCON.6
; Check for TF1 in loop
JNB
TCON.7, $
; Make P1.0 = Low
CLR
P1.0

; TF1 = 1, Make TF1 = 0

CLR TCON.7
; Stop Timer 1, Take TR1 = 0
CLR TCON.6
; Repeat for 2 ms.
.
MOV TL1, #96H
.
MOV TH1, #F5H
.
SETBTCON.6
.
JNB TCON.7, $
.
SJMP KK.

Example 8051 with clock frequency =

18 MHz
a. Generate a square wave of frequency 2
KHz on pin P1.0 using mode 2.
b. Calculate the smallest frequency
possible without using software counter.
Clock frequency = 18 MHz
Clock period = 1/18 sec.
1 m/c cycle = 12/18 sec = 2/3 sec.

 2 KHz square wave

clock period = 10-3 sec. = 0.5 millisecond
<- - - - - - 0.5 ms - - - ->

Up time = 0.25 ms
Dn time = 0.25 ms
Up time = 0.25 ms = 0.25 x 10 3 sec
No. of m/c cycles in up time = ( x 10 3)/(2/3)
= x 103 x 3/2 = 3/8 x 103
= 3000/8 = (30 x 25)/2
= 15 x 25 = 375

- Delay of 375 m/c cycle can be achieved in many

ways.
375/3 = 125 Generate delay of 125 m/c cycle 3
times
375/5 = 75 Generate delay of 75 m/c cycle 5 times
375/15 = 25 Generate delay of 25 m/c cycle 15
times
:
:
:
We can take any of the options. Let us take 1 st one.

To generate delay of 125 m/c cycle

Preset =
(FFH) 255 125 = 130
Accounting for additional m/c cycle
Preset = 131 = 83H
; Configure TMOD.
Let us use Timer 0
TMOD
=

MOV

TMOD, #02H

=
02H

Set P1.0 = High

SETB
P1.0
; Load preset count
MOV
TH0, #83H
; Declare software counter
;Loop: MOV R3, 03H
; Start Timer

KK: SETB TCON.4

; Check
TF0
in
loop
JNB TCON.5, $
; Stop timer by making TR0=0
CLR TCON.4
; Clear TF0
Flag
CLR TCON.5
; Decrement and Branch to start timer.
DJNZ R3, KK.
; Delay of 375 m/c cycle completed.
CPL P1.0
SJMP Loop.

b. Frequency is smallest when

clock period = maximum
i.e. Up time and Down time = maximum
i.e. Delay is maximum.
Delay is maximum when preset value =0
i.e. No. of m/c cycles in Up time = FF+1
No. of m/c cycles in Dn time = FF+1
Up time = 256 x 2/3 sec = 512/3 170 sec
Clock period = 341 sec.
Frequency = 1/341 MHz = 1000/341 KHz
= 2.92 KHz

Example Counter Operation

- Design a counter to count pulses input at P3.4.
- Determine the no. of pulses received in 1
minute.
- 8051 is 12 MHz, 12 Clock m/c cycle.
-> P3.4 pin is T0 i.e. -> external input to Timer 0
TMOD
=

C/T = 1 Counter operation

Gate = 0, M1 M0 = 01 - 16 bit
operation

=
05H

; MOV TMOD, #05H

; Initialize Timer value to 0000H
REPT: MOV TH0, #00H
MOV TL0, #00H
; Start Counter by making TR0 = 1
SETB TCON.4
ACALL DELIM
; Read timer value and output on P2, P1
MOV A, TL0
MOV P1, A
MOV A, TH0
MOV P2, A
SJMP REPT

DELIM : MOV
MOV
MOV
DJNZ
DJNZ
DJNZ

R2,
R3,
R4,
R4,
R3,
R2,

Let us calculate the maximum no. of

pulses that can be counted.
- In 16 bit operation i.e. Mode 01
(FFFF+1) = 65535 + 1 =
65536
- In 13 bit operation i.e. Mode 00
1FFF+1 = 8191 = 8192
- In 8 bit operation i.e. Mode 02 &
Mode 03 FF+1 = 255+1 = 256

Let us assume that 1 pulse corresponds to

one rotation of is wheel
circumference of wheel = 1 meter
Max. distance travelled in 1 minute can be
measured as
8 bit operation

256 meter.
13 bit operation

8192 meter
16 bit operation

65536 meter.
Considering that overflow takes place in 1
minute duration

Max. distance travelled in 1 hour that can be

measured with be
8 bit operation 256 x 60 = 14760 meter
= 14.76 KMPH
13 bit operation 8192 x 60
= 491520 = 491.52 KMPH
16 bit operation 65536 x 60 = 3932160
meter.
= 3932.16 KMPH

For measuring automobile speed

13 bit or 16 bit operation will be o.k.
- Delay operation can also be managed using hardware
timer so that micro controller is free for carrying out
other tasks.
Let us assume that Timer 1 is used for incorporating 1
minute delay
12 MHz clock
1 m/c cycle = 1 sec
1 second = 106 sec = 106 m/c cycle
= 220 m/c cycle
= 24 x 216 m/c cycle.

Thus 0000 to FFFF+1, counter has to repeat 16 times for delay

of 1 sec.
For 1 Minute delay
1 minute = 60 x 16 x216
1 second delay must be repeated in loop by 60 times
Now, TMOD will become

C/T = 0 for Timer 1 Timer operation

MOV TMOD, #05H will get modified
to MOV TMOD, #15H

= 15 H

DELIM Subroutine
DELIM: MOVR3, #3CH ; for 60 seconds
LOOP1: MOVR4, #10H ; for 16 times
repeat for 1 second
LOOP2: MOVTH1, #00H
MOVTL1, #00H
; Start Timer 1
SETB TCON.6
JNB TCON.7, $
CLR TCON.6
CLR TCON.7
DJNZ R4, LOOP2
DJNZ R3, LOOP1
RET

We could also use interrupt servicing

routine of timer interrupt for this purpose.

THE END