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What is SPI?

Writer's picture: 2k20_EC_040 ANURAG KUMAR2k20_EC_040 ANURAG KUMAR

Updated: Jan 18

The Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) is one of the most widely used communication protocols in embedded systems and electronics. It is a synchronous protocol designed for high-speed, full-duplex communication between a master device (like a microcontroller) and one or more slave devices (such as sensors, memory chips, or display controllers). Known for its simplicity and speed, SPI is a cornerstone in the design of modern electronics systems.


In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the mechanics of SPI, exploring how it works, its advantages and limitations, real-world applications, and a comparison with other communication protocols.

 

What is SPI?

SPI was developed by Motorola in the 1980s as a means to transfer data between devices over short distances. Its master-slave architecture ensures that a single master device can control and communicate with multiple slave devices in a streamlined manner. Unlike some other communication protocols, SPI allows for simultaneous transmission and reception of data, making it highly efficient for time-sensitive applications.

In essence, SPI is like a conversation where one device (the master) leads the dialogue, while others (the slaves) respond. The data exchange is orchestrated by a clock signal generated by the master, ensuring all devices remain synchronized.

 

Why is SPI Important?

SPI has become indispensable in embedded systems because of its:

  • High-Speed Communication: Enables rapid data transfer for time-critical applications.

  • Flexibility: Supports multiple devices with a straightforward implementation.

  • Low Latency: Operates with minimal delay, making it suitable for real-time systems.

 

Key Features of SPI


  1. Simplicity: SPI is straightforward to implement and requires fewer lines of code compared to other protocols like I2C.


  2. High-Speed Performance: The clock-driven nature allows SPI to operate at speeds as high as tens of megahertz.


  3. Full-Duplex Communication: SPI supports simultaneous data transmission and reception, increasing efficiency.


  4. Scalability: Multiple devices can be connected using chip-select lines, enabling complex system architectures.


  5. Low Overhead: There are no acknowledgment bits or start/stop conditions, making SPI faster than alternatives.

 

The Anatomy of SPI

SPI operates using four key signals, which are critical for its functionality:


  1. SCLK (Serial Clock): The master generates this clock signal to synchronize data transfer. Its frequency determines the speed of communication.


  2. MOSI (Master Out, Slave In): The line used by the master to send data to a slave device.


  3. MISO (Master In, Slave Out): The line through which the slave sends data back to the master.


  4. SS/CS (Slave Select/Chip Select): This signal identifies which slave device the master is communicating with by pulling its line low.

 

How SPI Works

SPI’s operation revolves around the coordination of the above signals. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the communication process:


  1. Initialization: The master configures its SPI interface, setting parameters such as clock speed, clock polarity (CPOL), and clock phase (CPHA).


  2. Slave Selection: The master asserts the SS/CS line of the target slave device by pulling it low. This enables the slave for communication.


  3. Data Exchange:

    • The master sends data on the MOSI line, synchronized with the clock signal on SCLK.

    • Simultaneously, the slave sends data back on the MISO line.


  4. End of Communication: Once the data exchange is complete, the master deactivates the slave by pulling the SS/CS line high.