PWM Modes: Center Aligned and Left Aligned

Question

I am using the Atmel AT32UC3C2512C and looking into the datasheet there are two kinds of PWM modes: Center Aligned and Left Aligned.

I would like to know when one is supposed to use each one of these modes, and pros and cons of them.

Answer 1

PWM can be symmetric (center aligned) or asymmetric (rising edge / left aligned or falling edge / right aligned):

(source)

As mentioned in the above referenced Texas Instruments application note:

It has been shown that symmetric PWM signals generate fewer harmonics in the output currents and voltages

• The advantage of symmetric PWM thus is better utilization of applied power, with less power wasted on undesired harmonics.
• Disadvantage 1: Slightly more complicated PWM generation mechanism when using timer/counter overflows. It is simply easier to count down and reset-at-zero a timer determining duty cycle to change PWM state, and set (start) the timer based on another timer at the PWM frequency. This gives left aligned PWM.
• Disadvantage 2: The best resolution available for duty cycle for a symmetric PWM is two clock ticks of the PWM timer/counter, as opposed to 1 clock tick for asymmetric

The first disadvantage may be moot as many modern microcontrollers have symmetric PWM mode built into their PWM modules, so the programmer does not need to do much extra.

For very harmonic-sensitive purposes, such as control of sensitive motors and actuators, the lower harmonic overhead of symmetric PWM is critical. Not so for heating or lighting purposes.

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Unconfirmed:

There is one specific situation where apparently symmetric PWM is considered important - though I have not found definitive validation of this premise. This is when PWM is used for driving LEDs for a color graphical "advertorial / entertainment" display such as the big TV-type displays used at railway stations and other public places

It is surmised that the leading or trailing edges of all LEDs on such displays being synchronized causes some people to notice flicker in a moving visual far more than if the edges were to be offset as per intensity of each LED, as happens with symmetric PWM.