Capture Mode
In the capture mode there are two options which are selected by bit EXEN2 in T2CON. If EXEN2=0, then timer 2 is a 16-bit timer or counter (as selected by C/T2* in T2CON) which, upon overflowing sets bit TF2, the timer 2 overflow bit. This bit can be used to generate an interrupt (by enabling the Timer 2 interrupt bit in the IE register). If EXEN2= 1, Timer 2 operates as described above, but with the added feature that a 1- to -0 transition at external input T2EX causes the current value in the Timer 2 registers, TL2 and TH2, to be captured into registers RCAP2L and RCAP2H, respectively. In addition, the transition at T2EX causes bit EXF2 in T2CON to be set, and EXF2 like TF2 can generate an interrupt (which vectors to the same location as Timer 2 overflow interrupt. The Timer 2 interrupt service routine can interrogate TF2 and EXF2 to determine which event caused the interrupt). The capture mode is illustrated in Figure 2 (There is no reload value for TL2 and TH2 in this mode. Even when a capture event occurs from T2EX, the counter keeps on counting T2EX pin transitions or osc/12 pulses.).
Auto-Reload Mode (Up or Down Counter)
In the 16-bit auto-reload mode, Timer 2 can be configured (as either a timer or counter [C/T2* in T2CON]) then programmed to count up or down. The counting direction is determined by bit DCEN (Down Counter Enable) which is located in the T2MOD register (see Figure 3). When reset is applied the DCEN=0 which means Timer 2 will default to counting up. If DCEN bit is set, Timer 2 can count up or down depending on the value of the T2EX pin.
Figure 4 shows Timer 2 which will count up automatically since DCEN=0. In this mode there are two options selected by bit EXEN2 in T2CON register. If EXEN2=0, then Timer 2 counts up to 0FFFFH and sets the TF2 (Overflow Flag) bit upon overflow. This causes the Timer 2 registers to be reloaded with the 16-bit value in RCAP2L and RCAP2H. The values in RCAP2L and RCAP2H are preset bysoftware means.
If EXEN2=1, then a 16-bit reload can be triggered either by an overflow or by a 1-to-0 transition at input T2EX. This transition also sets the EXF2 bit. The Timer 2 interrupt, if enabled, can be
generated when either TF2 or EXF2 are 1.
In Figure 5 DCEN=1 which enables Timer 2 to count up or down.This mode allows pin T2EX to control the direction of count. When a logic 1 is applied at pin T2EX Timer 2 will count up. Timer 2 will overflow at 0FFFFH and set the TF2 flag, which can then generate an interrupt, if the interrupt is enabled. This timer overflow also causes the 16–bit value in RCAP2L and RCAP2H to be reloaded into the timer registers TL2 and TH2.
When a logic 0 is applied at pin T2EX this causes Timer 2 to count down. The timer will underflow when TL2 and TH2 become equal to the value stored in RCAP2L and RCAP2H. Timer 2 underflow sets the TF2 flag and causes 0FFFFH to be reloaded into the timer registers TL2 and TH2.
The external flag EXF2 toggles when Timer 2 underflows or overflows. This EXF2 bit can be used as a 17th bit of resolution if needed. The EXF2 flag does not generate an interrupt in this mode of operation.
Baud Rate Generator Mode
Bits TCLK and/or RCLK in T2CON (Table 4) allow the serial port transmit and receive baud rates to be derived from either Timer 1 or Timer 2. When TCLK= 0, Timer 1 is used as the serial port transmit baud rate generator. When TCLK= 1, Timer 2 is used as the serial port transmit baud rate generator. RCLK has the same effect for the serial port receive baud rate. With these two bits, the serial port can have different receive and transmit baud rates – one generated by Timer 1, the other by Timer 2.
Figure 6 shows the Timer 2 in baud rate generation mode. The baud rate generation mode is like the auto-reload mode, in that a rollover in TH2 causes the Timer 2 registers to be reloaded with the 16-bit value in registers RCAP2H and RCAP2L, which are preset by software.