PIC16C925/926
12.7 Watchdog Timer (WDT)
The Watchdog Timer is a free running on-chip RC oscil-
lator, which does not require any external components.
This RC oscillator is separate from the RC oscillator of
the OSC1/CLKIN pin. That means that the WDT will
run, even if the clock on the OSC1/CLKIN and
OSC2/CLKOUT pins of the device has been stopped,
for example, by execution of a SLEEP instruction. Dur-
ing normal operation, a WDT time-out generates a
device RESET (Watchdog Timer Reset). If the device is
in SLEEP mode, a WDT time-out causes the device to
wake-up and continue with normal operation (Watch-
dog Timer Wake-up). The WDT can be permanently
disabled by clearing configuration bit WDTE
(Section 12.1).
12.7.1 WDT PERIOD
The WDT has a nominal time-out period of 18 ms (with
no prescaler). The time-out periods vary with tempera-
ture, VDD and process variations from part to part (see
DC specs). If longer time-out periods are desired, a
prescaler with a division ratio of up to 1:128 can be
assigned to the WDT under software control, by writing
to the OPTION register. Thus, time-out periods up to
2.3 seconds can be realized.
The CLRWDT and SLEEP instructions clear the WDT
and the postscaler, if assigned to the WDT, prevent it
from timing out and generating a device RESET
condition.
The TO bit in the STATUS register will be cleared upon
a Watchdog Timer time-out.
12.7.2 WDT PROGRAMMING
CONSIDERATIONS
It should also be taken into account that under worst
case conditions (VDD = Min., Temperature = Max., and
Max. WDT prescaler) it may take several seconds
before a WDT time-out occurs.
Note:
When a CLRWDT instruction is executed
and the prescaler is assigned to the WDT,
the prescaler count will be cleared, but the
prescaler assignment is not changed.
FIGURE 12-12:
WATCHDOG TIMER BLOCK DIAGRAM
From TMR0 Clock Source
(Figure 5-6)
WDT Timer
0
1
M
U
X
Postscaler
8
WDT
Enable bit
PSA
8 - to - 1 MUX
PS2:PS0
To TMR0 (Figure 5-6)
0
1
MUX
PSA
Note: PSA and PS2:PS0 are bits in the OPTION register.
WDT
Time-out
FIGURE 12-13: SUMMARY OF WATCHDOG TIMER REGISTERS
Address
Name
Bit 7
Bit 6
Bit 5
2007h Config. bits
(1) BOREN(1) CP1
81h, 181h OPTION RBPU INTEDG T0CS
Legend: Shaded cells are not used by the Watchdog Timer.
Note 1: See Register 12-1 for operation of these bits.
Bit 4
CP0
T0SE
Bit 3
PWRTE(1)
PSA
Bit 2
WDTE
PS2
Bit 1
Bit 0
FOSC1 FOSC0
PS1
PS0
DS39544A-page 110
Preliminary
2001 Microchip Technology Inc.