timingmode

Timingmode is a term used in electronics, computing, and instrumentation to describe a mode of operation in which actions are triggered, sampled, or emitted according to a defined time base. It specifies how a device's timing source—an internal clock, an external clock, or a programmable timer—drives events, as opposed to purely event-driven or manual control.

In embedded systems and microcontrollers, timing mode configures timer peripherals to generate periodic interrupts, PWM signals, or precise sampling intervals. In data acquisition and test instrumentation, it defines the sampling clock, trigger conditions, and acquisition window, enabling deterministic data capture and repeatable measurements. In software and multimedia frameworks, timing mode can govern whether animations or tasks run on a fixed timer, on a frame basis, or beat to an external clock, affecting smoothness and latency.

Common parameters include the clock source, period or frequency, duty cycle for pulses, trigger source, number of cycles, and whether the mode is continuous, single-shot, or burst. The chosen timing mode influences latency, jitter, power consumption, and determinism, and often requires calibration or synchronization with other devices.

Variants of timing mode may emphasize deterministic timing (stable periodicity), adaptive timing (adjusting to load or input conditions), or burst modes (in which short timed sequences are emitted). While implementation details vary across hardware and software platforms, timing mode remains a core concept for coordinating time-critical operations.