Timing Concepts
Embedded systems are time-sensitive. Period, frequency, duty cycle, propagation delay, setup/hold time and clock edges help explain why hardware and firmware must agree about timing.
CORE IDEA
Frequency = 1 / period
ENGINEERING VIEW
Clock edges define synchronous events
WHAT TO CHECK
Setup and hold violations can cause incorrect sampling
REMEMBER
Peripheral timing is normally derived from a clock source
Engineer’s checklist
- Frequency = 1 / period
- Clock edges define synchronous events
- Setup and hold violations can cause incorrect sampling
- Peripheral timing is normally derived from a clock source
KEY TAKEAWAY
Digital behavior is physical behavior. When firmware and expectations disagree, measure the signal instead of guessing.