58.6.8.7 Continuous Read Mode

The QSPI is compatible with the Continuous Read mode which is implemented in some serial Flash memories.

In Continuous Read mode, the instruction overhead is reduced by excluding the instruction code from the instruction frame. When the Continuous Read mode is activated in a serial Flash memory by a specific option code, the instruction code is stored in the memory. For the next instruction frames, the instruction code is not required as the memory uses the stored one.

In the QSPI, Continuous Read mode is used when reading data from the memory (QSPI_IFR.TFRTYP = 1). The addresses of the system bus read accesses are often nonsequential and this leads to many instruction frames that have the same instruction code. By disabling the send of the instruction code, the Continuous Read mode reduces the access time of the data.

To be functional, this mode must be enabled in both the QSPI and the serial Flash memory. The Continuous Read mode is enabled in the QSPI by writing CRM to ‘1’ in the QSPI_IFR (TFRTYP must equal 1). The Continuous Read mode is enabled in the serial Flash memory by sending a specific option code.