33.6.3.3 Host with Several Clients

If the bus consists of several SPI Clients, an SPI Host can use general purpose I/O pins to control the SS line to each of the Clients on the bus, as shown in Multiple Clients in Parallel. In this configuration, the single selected SPI Client will drive the tri-state MISO line.

Another configuration is multiple Clients in series, as in Multiple Clients in Series. In this configuration, all n attached Clients are connected in series. A common SS line is provided to all Clients, enabling them simultaneously. The Host must shift n characters for a complete transaction.