63.8.3 Host Mode Operations

When configured in Host mode, the SPI operates on the clock generated by the internal programmable bit rate generator. It fully controls the data transfers to and from the client(s) connected to the SPI bus. The SPI drives the chip select line to the client and the serial clock signal (SPCK).

The SPI features two holding registers, the Transmit Data register (FLEX_SPI_TDR) and the Receive Data register (FLEX_SPI_RDR), and a single shift register. The holding registers maintain the data flow at a constant rate.

After enabling the SPI, a data transfer starts when the processor writes to FLEX_SPI_TDR. The written data are immediately transferred in the shift register and the transfer on the SPI bus starts. While the data in the shift register is shifted on the MOSI line, the MISO line is sampled and shifted in the shift register. Data cannot be loaded in FLEX_SPI_RDR without transmitting data. If there is no data to transmit, a dummy data can be used (FLEX_SPI_TDR filled with ones). When the WDRBT bit is set, a new data cannot be transmitted if FLEX_SPI_RDR has not been read. If Receiving mode is not required, for example when communicating with a client receiver only (such as an LCD), the receive status flags in the SPI Status register (FLEX_SPI_SR) can be discarded.

Before writing the TDR, the FLEX_SPI_MR.PCS field must be set in order to select a client.

If new data are written in FLEX_SPI_TDR during the transfer, it is kept in FLEX_SPI_TDR until the current transfer is completed. Then, the received data are transferred from the shift register to FLEX_SPI_RDR, the data in FLEX_SPI_TDR is loaded in the shift register and a new transfer starts.

As soon as the FLEX_SPI_TDR is written, the Transmit Data Register Empty (TDRE) flag in FLEX_SPI_SR is cleared. When the data written in FLEX_SPI_TDR is loaded into the shift register, the FLEX_SPI_SR.TDRE flag is set. The TDRE bit is used to trigger the Transmit DMA channel (see figure below).

The end of transfer is indicated by FLEX_SPI_SR.TXEMPTY. If a transfer delay (DLYBCT) is greater than 0 for the last transfer, TXEMPTY is set after the completion of this delay. The peripheral clock can be switched off at this time.

Note:
  1. When the SPI is enabled, the TDRE and TXEMPTY flags are set.
  2. The TXEMPTY flag alone cannot be used to detect the end of the buffer DMA transfer.
Figure 63-67. TDRE and TXEMPTY Flag Behavior

The transfer of received data from the shift register to FLEX_SPI_RDR is indicated by the Receive Data Register Full (RDRF) bit in FLEX_SPI_SR. When the received data are read, the RDRF bit is cleared.

If FLEX_SPI_RDR has not been read before new data are received, the Overrun Error bit (OVRES) in FLEX_SPI_SR is set. As long as this flag is set, data are loaded in FLEX_SPI_RDR. The user has to read the status register to clear the OVRES bit.

The following figures show, respectively, a block diagram of the SPI when operating in Host mode and a flow chart describing how transfers are handled.