Continuous measurement is selected by writing COMPCTRLx.SINGLE to zero. In continuous mode, the comparator is continuously enabled and performing comparisons. This ensures that the result of the latest comparison is always available in the Current State bit in the Status A register (STATUSA.STATEx).
After the start-up time has passed, a comparison is done and STATUSA is updated. The Comparator x Ready bit in the Status B register (STATUSB.READYx) is set, and the appropriate peripheral events and interrupts are also generated. New comparisons are performed continuously until the COMPCTRLx.ENABLE bit is written to zero. The start-up time applies only to the first comparison.
In continuous operation, edge detection of the comparator output for interrupts is done by comparing the current and previous sample. The sampling rate is the GCLK_AC frequency. An example of continuous measurement is shown in the Figure 1.
For low-power operation, comparisons can be performed during sleep modes without a clock. The comparator is enabled continuously, and changes of the comparator state are detected asynchronously. When a toggle occurs, the Power Manager will start GCLK_AC to register the appropriate peripheral events and interrupts. The GCLK_AC clock is then disabled again automatically, unless configured to wake up the system from sleep.