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Added SPI info and wiring guide
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---
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title: Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
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description: Learn how to use SPI with Micropython
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author: Pedro Sousa Lima
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---
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Serial Peripheral Interface, or **SPI**, is a widely used communication protocol for connecting devices. It enables high-speed, full-duplex communication over four primary wires, making it an excellent choice for applications requiring fast data exchange between microcontrollers and peripherals.
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## How SPI Works
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SPI communication relies on:
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- **MOSI** (Controller Out, Peripheral In): Sends data from the controller to the peripheral.
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- **MISO** (Peripheral Out, Controller In): Receives data from the peripheral to the controller.
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- **SCLK** (Serial Clock): Synchronizes data transmission.
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- **CS** (Chip Select): Selects which peripheral device to communicate with.
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![SPI Wiring](assets/spi.png)
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Unlike UART, SPI is synchronous, meaning it uses a clock signal for precise data timing. This enables faster and more reliable data exchange. SPI operates in a master-peripheral architecture, where a single controller device can communicate with one or multiple peripheral devices. Each peripheral is selected using the Chip Select (CS) line, ensuring that only the intended device responds to communication.
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## Key Features of SPI
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-**High-Speed Communication:** Supports much higher data rates than UART, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid data transfer.
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-**Multi-Peripheral Support:** Multiple devices can share the SPI bus, each being activated by a separate Chip Select line.
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-**Full-Duplex Data Transfer:** Unlike I2C, SPI allows data to be transmitted and received simultaneously, improving efficiency.
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-**Flexible Configuration:** SPI supports various clock phase and polarity settings, allowing it to be tailored to different peripheral requirements.
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## Common Use Cases
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SPI is commonly used in a variety of applications, including:
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-**Interfacing with Sensors:** Many modern sensors, such as temperature and accelerometers, communicate using SPI.
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-**Display Modules:** OLED, LCD, and LED matrix displays often rely on SPI for data transfer.
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-**Memory Storage:** Flash memory and SD card modules utilize SPI for high-speed data access.
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Embedded Communication: SPI is often used in microcontroller-based projects to enable communication between different modules.
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## Testing SPI Communication
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You can easily test SPI communication without an external device by performing a loopback test. This involves connecting the MOSI and MISO pins together so that data sent out is received back, verifying that the SPI interface is working correctly.
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### SPI Loopback Test Example
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```python
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from machine import SPI, Pin
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import time
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# Configure the SPI bus.
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# Adjust these parameters as needed for your setup.
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spi = SPI(1,
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baudrate=500000,
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polarity=0,
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phase=0,
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sck=Pin(7),
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mosi=Pin(8),
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miso=Pin(9))
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# Set up the chip-select pin (active low)
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cs = Pin(10, Pin.OUT)
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cs.value(1) # start with CS inactive
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def loopback_test(command):
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"""
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Sends a command (as bytes) over SPI.
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IF MOSI and MISO are connected together (loopback), the respons
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will be identical to the command.
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"""
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# Prepare a response buffer of the same length as the command.
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response = bytearray(len(command))
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cs.value(0) # Activate communication (CS low).
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spi.write_readinto(command, response)
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cs.value(1) # End communication (CS high).
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return response
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while True:
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command = b'ping'
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response = loopback_test(command)
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print("Sent:", command, "Received:", response)
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time.sleep(1)
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```
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This method allows you to verify that SPI data transmission and reception are functioning correctly. Unfortunately, MicroPython does not currently support configuring SPI as a peripheral device, meaning only controller mode is available for communication.
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## Conclusion
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SPI is a powerful and efficient protocol for high-speed data communication between microcontrollers and peripherals. Its flexibility, full-duplex operation, and support for multiple devices make it a preferred choice for many embedded applications. Performing a loopback test is an effective way to validate SPI communication, especially when external peripherals are unavailable.

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