35.6.2.7 Receiver Error Bit

The SPI receiver has one error bit: the Buffer Overflow bit (BUFOVF), which can be read from the Status register (STATUS). Once an error happens, the bit will stay set until it is cleared by writing '1' to it. The bit is also automatically cleared when the receiver is disabled.

There are two methods for buffer overflow notification, selected by the immediate Buffer Overflow Notification bit in the Control A register (CTRLA.IBON):

If CTRLA.IBON=1, STATUS.BUFOVF is raised immediately upon buffer overflow. Software can then empty the receive FIFO by reading RxDATA until the receiver complete Interrupt flag in the Interrupt Flag Status and Clear register (INTFLAG.RXC) goes low.

If CTRLA.IBON=0, the Buffer Overflow condition travels with data through the receive FIFO. After the received data is read, STATUS.BUFOVF and INTFLAG.ERROR will be set along with INTFLAG.RXC, and RxDATA will be zero.