Intel 8253/54 - Operational Modes
8253/54 can be operated in 6 different modes. In this chapter, we will discuss these operational modes.
Mode 0 ─ Interrupt on Terminal Count
It is used to generate an interrupt to the microprocessor after a certain interval.
Initially the output is low after the mode is set. The output remains LOW after the count value is loaded into the counter.
The process of decrementing the counter continues till the terminal count is reached, i.e., the count become zero and the output goes HIGH and will remain high until it reloads a new count.
The GATE signal is high for normal counting. When GATE goes low, counting is terminated and the current count is latched till the GATE goes high again.
Mode 1 – Programmable One Shot
It can be used as a mono stable multi-vibrator.
The gate input is used as a trigger input in this mode.
The output remains high until the count is loaded and a trigger is applied.
Mode 2 – Rate Generator
The output is normally high after initialization.
Whenever the count becomes zero, another low pulse is generated at the output and the counter will be reloaded.
Mode 3 – Square Wave Generator
Mode 4 − Software Triggered Mode
In this mode, the output will remain high until the timer has counted to zero, at which point the output will pulse low and then go high again.
The count is latched when the GATE signal goes LOW.
On the terminal count, the output goes low for one clock cycle then goes HIGH. This low pulse can be used as a strobe.
Mode 5 – Hardware Triggered Mode
This mode generates a strobe in response to an externally generated signal.
This mode is similar to mode 4 except that the counting is initiated by a signal at the gate input, which means it is hardware triggered instead of software triggered.
After it is initialized, the output goes high.
When the terminal count is reached, the output goes low for one clock cycle.
