LETIMER
- A real hardware timer block
- You directly configure registers
- Can Toggle pins
- Generate PWM
- Run without CPU intervention
SLEEPTIMER
- A software service (driver) from Gecko SDK
- Uses underlying hardware (LETIMER or RTC)
- Provides Delays
- Periodic callbacks
- Timekeeping
| Feature | LETIMER (Low Energy Timer) | SLEEPTIMER (Software Timer Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardware peripheral | Software abstraction (driver/service) |
| Layer | Low-level (register-level control) | High-level (API-based) |
| Runs in low power modes | EM2 / EM3 | (depends on backend, usually LETIMER or RTC) |
| PWM generation | Yes (basic PWM) | No direct PWM |
| Output to GPIO pins | Yes (OUT0, OUT1) | No direct pin control |
| Interrupt support | Direct hardware interrupts | Callback-based |
| Precision | High (hardware-timed) | Moderate (depends on backend + scheduling) |
| Ease of use | Complex (register config) | Easy (simple APIs) |
| Multiple timers | Limited (usually 1–2 instances) | Multiple virtual timers |
| Power efficiency | Very efficient | Efficient (built on low-power timers) |
| Use without CPU wakeup | Yes (autonomous operation) | No (callback wakes CPU) |
| Backend dependency | Independent | Uses LETIMER / RTC internally |
| Use case level | Peripheral-level control | Application-level timing |
]]>
0 Comments