Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a common peripheral on almost every PIC® MCU device. PWM is a way to use a digital output to vary the on, or high time, to create a variable output or square wave (as seen in the figure below). If the PWM signal runs at a fixed frequency, then changing the high time of the signal will also change the low time of the signal. The amount of time the signal remains high is typically called the pulse width. That pulse width relative to the period of the signal is called the duty cycle. The period of the signal is defined as the time from one rising edge to the next rising edge of the square wave signal and is inversely proportional to the PWM frequency. The period can easily be calculated by using the formula: Period = 1/Frequency. A frequency of 1 kHz will give a 1 millisecond period.

It is interesting to use PWM as there are many applications for it. Simplest of all applications is driving some kind of low-pass filter. As seen in the figure below, by driving a simple Resistor/Capacitor (RC) low-pass filter circuit directly from the microcontroller’s PWM port, the variable pulse width will be averaged out by the capacitor’s charge and discharge rate through the resistor.

pwm.png

In a digital world, the high pulse can be considered “on” and the low pulse considered “off.” In the figure above, the circuit diagrams below the pulses show what the low-pass filter is doing. The arrow shows the direction of the current. The bottom portion shows the charging and discharging voltage of the capacitor. The shape depends upon the frequency of the signal, and the values you select for the resistor and capacitor. The important thing to notice is the dashed line running through the charge/discharge signal. That dashed line is the average voltage across the charged capacitor. Even though the microcontroller is typically driving an output at five volts or zero volts only, you would see about 2.5 volts across the capacitor if you measured it with a voltmeter. This can be considered a simple Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC).

Pulse Width Modulation Options

PIC MCU devices have several different versions of the PWM peripheral. It depends on the device and what features are included on that device. Below is a graphical representation of the different PWM generating options in the 8-bit family of PIC MCU.

10-Bit


On many 8-bit PIC MCU devices, the 10-bit PWM is a standard peripheral. It can a stand-alone peripheral or incorporated into the Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) peripheral.

PWM

The stand-alone PWM is available on many newer devices and sometimes in addition to the PWM incorporated into the CCP or ECCP peripheral.

pwm10bit.png

CCP

On some devices, there is a Capture Compare PWM (CCP) peripheral that has the PWM peripheral incorporated as part of the peripheral.

ccppwm.png

ECCP

On newer devices, an Enhanced CCP (ECCP) adds even more capability than the CCP.

eccppwm.png

Details on the 10-Bit PWM peripheral and how to use it can be found on the "10-Bit Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)" page.

16-Bit PWM


On newer devices, there are 16-bit PWM peripherals which offer more resolution for adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signal.

16bitpwm.png

PSMC


Some devices include a programmable Switch Mode Controller that can produce a PWM signal designed for controlling a switch mode style power supply.

psmcpwm.png

CWG/COG


In addition to the standard PWM modules, some peripherals can modify a PWM signal and produce complementary outputs. The CWG: Complimentary Waveform Generator and the COG: Complimentary Output Generator offer this capability. There are different generations of these modules as well and are typically added to the latest PIC MCU devices.

CWG

cwgpwm.png

Details on the CWG peripheral and how to use it can be found on the "CWG: Complementary Waveform Generator" page.

COG

cogpwm.png

Details on the COG peripheral and how to use it can be found on the "Complementary Output Generator (COG) Module" page.

COG/CWG Features

As the CWG and COG peripherals have evolved, updated features such as more auto shutdown sources, outputs, and modes have been added. Deadband timing options have been added as well. The table below summarizes these improvements. Please refer to the device data sheet for the specific features available on the PIC MCU device you are using.

cwgcogversion.png
© 2024 Microchip Technology, Inc.
Notice: ARM and Cortex are the registered trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries.
Information contained on this site regarding device applications and the like is provided only for your convenience and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. MICROCHIP MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, RELATED TO THE INFORMATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITS CONDITION, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE. Microchip disclaims all liability arising from this information and its use. Use of Microchip devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the buyer's risk, and the buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Microchip from any and all damages, claims, suits, or expenses resulting from such use. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any Microchip intellectual property rights.