Microprocessor comprising a self-calibrated time base circuit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated circuit comprising a first clock circuit delivering a first clock signal, a second clock circuit delivering a second clock signal, a first counting circuit for delivering a time base signal using a clock signal and a counting value, and means for applying the first clock signal and a first counting value to the first counting circuit, so as to produce a first time base signal. According to the present invention, the integrated circuit comprises means for producing a second time base signal using the second clock signal and a second counting value, and means for calibrating the second counting value such that it is equal or proportional to the number of periods of the second clock signal occurring during a determined time interval equal to a period or to a whole number of periods of the first time base signal. Application particularly to the management of a timer in a microprocessor.