26. Serial peripheral interface/ inter-IC sound (SPI/I2S)
26.1 Introduction
The SPI/I 2 S interface can be used to communicate with external devices using the SPI protocol or the I 2 S audio protocol. SPI or I 2 S mode is selectable by software. SPI mode is selected by default after a device reset.
The serial peripheral interface (SPI) protocol supports half-duplex, full-duplex and simplex synchronous, serial communication with external devices. The interface can be configured as master and in this case it provides the communication clock (SCK) to the external slave device. The interface is also capable of operating in multimaster configuration.
The Inter-IC sound (I 2 S) protocol is also a synchronous serial communication interface. It can operate in slave or master mode with full-duplex and half-duplex communication.
It can address four different audio standards including the Philips I 2 S standard, the MSB- and LSB-justified standards and the PCM standard.
Warning: Since some SPI1 pins may be mapped onto some pins used by the JTAG interface, you can either map SPI/I2S onto other pins, disable the JTAG and use the SWD interface prior to configuring the pins listed as SPI I/Os (when debugging the application) or disable both JTAG/SWD interfaces (for standalone applications). For more information on the configuration of the JTAG/SWD interface pins, please refer to Section 7.3.2: I/O pin multiplexer and mapping .
26.1.1 SPI main features
- • Master or slave operation
- • Full-duplex synchronous transfers on three lines
- • Half-duplex synchronous transfer on two lines (with bidirectional data line)
- • Simplex synchronous transfers on two lines (with unidirectional data line)
- • 8-bit to 16-bit transfer frame format selection
- • Multimaster mode capability
- • 8 master mode baud rate prescalers up to \( f_{PCLK}/2 \) .
- • Slave mode frequency up to \( f_{PCLK}/2 \) .
- • NSS management by hardware or software for both master and slave: dynamic change of master/slave operations
- • Programmable clock polarity and phase
- • Programmable data order with MSB-first or LSB-first shifting
- • Dedicated transmission and reception flags with interrupt capability
- • SPI bus busy status flag
- • SPI Motorola support
- • Hardware CRC feature for reliable communication:
- – CRC value can be transmitted as last byte in Tx mode
- – Automatic CRC error checking for last received byte
- • Master mode fault, overrun flags with interrupt capability
- • CRC Error flag
- • 1-byte/word transmission and reception buffer with DMA capability: Tx and Rx requests
26.1.2 SPI extended features
- • SPI TI mode support
26.1.3 I2S features
- • Full-duplex communication
- • Half-duplex communication (only transmitter or receiver)
- • Master or slave operations
- • 8-bit programmable linear prescaler to reach accurate audio sample frequencies (from 8 kHz to 192 kHz)
- • Data format may be 16-bit, 24-bit or 32-bit
- • Packet frame is fixed to 16-bit (16-bit data frame) or 32-bit (16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit data frame) by audio channel
- • Programmable clock polarity (steady state)
- • Underrun flag in slave transmission mode, overrun flag in reception mode (master and slave) and Frame Error Flag in reception and transmitter mode (slave only)
- • 16-bit register for transmission and reception with one data register for both channel sides
- • Supported I
2
S protocols:
- – I 2 S Philips standard
- – MSB-Justified standard (Left-Justified)
- – LSB-Justified standard (Right-Justified)
- – PCM standard (with short and long frame synchronization on 16-bit channel frame or 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame)
- • Data direction is always MSB first
- • DMA capability for transmission and reception (16-bit wide)
- • Master clock can be output to drive an external audio component. Ratio is fixed at \( 256 \times F_S \) (where \( F_S \) is the audio sampling frequency)
- • I 2 S (I2S1, I2S2, I2S3, I2S4 and I2S5) clock can be derived from an external clock mapped on the I2S_CKIN pin.
26.2 SPI/I2S implementation
This manual describes the full set of features implemented in SPI1, SPI2, SPI3, SPI4 and SPI5.
Table 156. STM32F412xx SPI implementation
| SPI Features (1) | SPI1 | SPI2 | SPI3 | SPI4 | SPI5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware CRC calculation | X | X | X | X | X |
| I2S mode | X | X | X | X | X |
| TI mode | X | X | X | X | X |
1. X = supported.
26.3 SPI functional description
26.3.1 General description
The SPI allows synchronous, serial communication between the MCU and external devices. Application software can manage the communication by polling the status flag or using dedicated SPI interrupt. The main elements of SPI and their interactions are shown in the following block diagram Figure 270 .
![Figure 270. SPI block diagram. This block diagram illustrates the internal architecture of an SPI peripheral. On the left, four pins are shown: MOSI, MISO, SCK, and NSS. The MOSI and MISO pins are connected to a bidirectional 'Shift register'. Data is written to the shift register from a 'TX buffer' and read from the shift register to an 'Rx buffer'. The 'Address and data bus' connects to both the 'Tx buffer' and the 'Rx buffer'. The 'Shift register' is connected to a 'Communication controller'. The 'Communication controller' is also connected to a 'CRC controller', a 'Baud rate generator', and 'NSS logic'. The 'Communication controller' has several control input pins: LSBFIRST, CPOL, CPHA, DFF, BIDIOE, BIDIMODE, and RXOLNY. The 'CRC controller' has control input pins: CRCEN and CRCNEXT. The 'Baud rate generator' has a control input pin: BR[2:0]. The 'NSS logic' has a control input pin: Internal NSS. The 'Address and data bus' is a wide bus at the top of the diagram. The diagram is labeled MSv33711V1 in the bottom right corner.](/RM0402-STM32F412/30cc2d6546c1fb6796f35dee888b24ea_img.jpg)
Figure 270. SPI block diagram
Four I/O pins are dedicated to SPI communication with external devices.
- • MISO: Master In / Slave Out data. In the general case, this pin is used to transmit data in slave mode and receive data in master mode.
- • MOSI: Master Out / Slave In data. In the general case, this pin is used to transmit data in master mode and receive data in slave mode.
- • SCK: Serial Clock output pin for SPI masters and input pin for SPI slaves.
- •
NSS:
Slave select pin. Depending on the SPI and NSS settings, this pin can be used to either:
- – select an individual slave device for communication
- – synchronize the data frame or
- – detect a conflict between multiple masters
See Section 26.3.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management for details.
The SPI bus allows the communication between one master device and one or more slave devices. The bus consists of at least two wires - one for the clock signal and the other for synchronous data transfer. Other signals can be added depending on the data exchange between SPI nodes and their slave select signal management.
26.3.2 Communications between one master and one slave
The SPI allows the MCU to communicate using different configurations, depending on the device targeted and the application requirements. These configurations use 2 or 3 wires (with software NSS management) or 3 or 4 wires (with hardware NSS management). Communication is always initiated by the master.
Full-duplex communication
By default, the SPI is configured for full-duplex communication. In this configuration, the shift registers of the master and slave are linked using two unidirectional lines between the MOSI and the MISO pins. During SPI communication, data is shifted synchronously on the SCK clock edges provided by the master. The master transmits the data to be sent to the slave via the MOSI line and receives data from the slave via the MISO line. When the data frame transfer is complete (all the bits are shifted) the information between the master and slave is exchanged.
Figure 271. Full-duplex single master/ single slave application

- 1. The NSS pins can be used to provide a hardware control flow between master and slave. Optionally, the pins can be left unused by the peripheral. Then the flow has to be handled internally for both master and slave. For more details see Section 26.3.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management .
Half-duplex communication
The SPI can communicate in half-duplex mode by setting the BIDIMODE bit in the SPIx_CR1 register. In this configuration, one single cross connection line is used to link the shift registers of the master and slave together. During this communication, the data is synchronously shifted between the shift registers on the SCK clock edge in the transfer direction selected reciprocally by both master and slave with the BDIOE bit in their SPIx_CR1 registers. In this configuration, the master's MISO pin and the slave's MOSI pin are free for other application uses and act as GPIOs.
Figure 272. Half-duplex single master/ single slave application

- 1. The NSS pins can be used to provide a hardware control flow between master and slave. Optionally, the pins can be left unused by the peripheral. Then the flow has to be handled internally for both master and slave. For more details see Section 26.3.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management .
- 2. In this configuration, the master's MISO pin and the slave's MOSI pin can be used as GPIOs.
- 3. A critical situation can happen when communication direction is changed not synchronously between two nodes working at bidirectional mode and new transmitter accesses the common data line while former transmitter still keeps an opposite value on the line (the value depends on SPI configuration and communication data). Both nodes then fight while providing opposite output levels on the common line temporary till next node changes its direction settings correspondingly, too. It is suggested to insert a serial resistance between MISO and MOSI pins at this mode to protect the outputs and limit the current blowing between them at this situation.
Simplex communications
The SPI can communicate in simplex mode by setting the SPI in transmit-only or in receive-only using the RXONLY bit in the SPIx_CR2 register. In this configuration, only one line is used for the transfer between the shift registers of the master and slave. The remaining MISO and MOSI pins pair is not used for communication and can be used as standard GPIOs.
- • Transmit-only mode (RXONLY=0): The configuration settings are the same as for full-duplex. The application has to ignore the information captured on the unused input pin. This pin can be used as a standard GPIO.
- • Receive-only mode (RXONLY=1): The application can disable the SPI output function by setting the RXONLY bit. In slave configuration, the MISO output is disabled and the pin can be used as a GPIO. The slave continues to receive data from the MOSI pin while its slave select signal is active (see 26.3.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management ). Received data events appear depending on the data buffer configuration. In the master configuration, the MOSI output is disabled and the pin can be used as a GPIO. The clock signal is generated continuously as long as the SPI is enabled. The only way to stop the clock is to clear the RXONLY bit or the SPE bit and wait until the incoming pattern from the MISO pin is finished and fills the data buffer structure, depending on its configuration.
Figure 273. Simplex single master/single slave application (master in transmit-only/ slave in receive-only mode)

- 1. The NSS pins can be used to provide a hardware control flow between master and slave. Optionally, the pins can be left unused by the peripheral. Then the flow has to be handled internally for both master and slave. For more details see Section 26.3.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management .
- 2. An accidental input information is captured at the input of transmitter Rx shift register. All the events associated with the transmitter receive flow must be ignored in standard transmit only mode (e.g. OVF flag).
- 3. In this configuration, both the MISO pins can be used as GPIOs.
Note: Any simplex communication can be alternatively replaced by a variant of the half-duplex communication with a constant setting of the transaction direction (bidirectional mode is enabled while BDIO bit is not changed).
26.3.3 Standard multislave communication
In a configuration with two or more independent slaves, the master uses GPIO pins to manage the chip select lines for each slave (see Figure 274). The master must select one of the slaves individually by pulling low the GPIO connected to the slave NSS input. When this is done, a standard master and dedicated slave communication is established.
Figure 274. Master and three independent slaves

The diagram illustrates a standard multislave SPI configuration. On the left, a 'Master' block contains an 'SPI clock generator' connected to the 'SCK' line. It also has 'Tx shift register' and 'Rx shift register' blocks. The 'MOSI' line is connected to the 'Tx shift register', and the 'MISO' line is connected to the 'Rx shift register'. The 'NSS' pin is labeled (1). On the right, there are three 'Slave' blocks, labeled 'Slave 1', 'Slave 2', and 'Slave 3'. Each slave has its own 'Tx shift register' and 'Rx shift register'. The 'MOSI' line is connected to the 'Tx shift register' of each slave, and the 'MISO' line is connected to the 'Rx shift register' of each slave. The 'SCK' line is connected to the 'SCK' pin of each slave. The 'NSS' pin of each slave is connected to a separate GPIO pin on the master, labeled 'IO1', 'IO2', and 'IO3'. The 'MISO' lines of all slaves are connected together and to the master's 'MISO' line. The 'MOSI' lines of all slaves are connected together and to the master's 'MOSI' line. The 'SCK' lines of all slaves are connected together and to the master's 'SCK' line. The 'NSS' lines of all slaves are connected together and to the master's 'NSS' line. Arrows indicate the direction of data flow: 'MISO' from slaves to master, and 'MOSI' from master to slaves. The diagram is labeled 'MSV39626V1' in the bottom right corner.
- 1. NSS pin is not used on master side at this configuration. It has to be managed internally (SSM=1, SSI=1) to prevent any MODF error.
- 2. As MISO pins of the slaves are connected together, all slaves must have the GPIO configuration of their MISO pin set as alternate function open-drain (see Section 7.3.7: I/O alternate function input/output on page 175 ).
26.3.4 Multimaster communication
Unless SPI bus is not designed for a multimaster capability primarily, the user can use built-in feature which detects a potential conflict between two nodes trying to master the bus at the same time. For this detection, NSS pin is used configured at hardware input mode.
The connection of more than two SPI nodes working at this mode is impossible as only one node can apply its output on a common data line at time.
When nodes are non active, both stay at slave mode by default. Once one node wants to overtake control on the bus, it switches itself into master mode and applies active level on the slave select input of the other node via dedicated GPIO pin. After the session is completed, the active slave select signal is released and the node mastering the bus temporarily returns back to passive slave mode waiting for next session start.
If potentially both nodes raised their mastering request at the same time a bus conflict event appears (see mode fault MODF event). Then the user can apply some simple arbitration process (e.g. to postpone next attempt by predefined different time-outs applied at both nodes).
Figure 275. Multimaster application

- 1. The NSS pin is configured at hardware input mode at both nodes. Its active level enables the MISO line output control as the passive node is configured as a slave.
26.3.5 Slave select (NSS) pin management
In slave mode, the NSS works as a standard “chip select” input and lets the slave communicate with the master. In master mode, NSS can be used either as output or input. As an input it can prevent multimaster bus collision, and as an output it can drive a slave select signal of a single slave.
Hardware or software slave select management can be set using the SSM bit in the SPIx_CR1 register:
- • Software NSS management (SSM = 1): in this configuration, slave select information is driven internally by the SSI bit value in register SPIx_CR1. The external NSS pin is free for other application uses.
- • Hardware NSS management (SSM = 0): in this case, there are two possible configurations. The configuration used depends on the NSS output configuration (SSOE bit in register SPIx_CR1).
- – NSS output enable (SSM=0,SSOE = 1) : this configuration is only used when the MCU is set as master. The NSS pin is managed by the hardware. The NSS signal is driven low as soon as the SPI is enabled in master mode (SPE=1), and is kept low until the SPI is disabled (SPE =0).
- – NSS output disable (SSM=0, SSOE = 0) : if the microcontroller is acting as the master on the bus, this configuration allows multimaster capability. If the NSS pin is pulled low in this mode, the SPI enters master mode fault state and the device is automatically reconfigured in slave mode. In slave mode, the NSS pin works as a standard “chip select” input and the slave is selected while NSS line is at low level.
Figure 276. Hardware/software slave select management

The diagram illustrates the internal logic for managing the NSS pin. It is divided into 'NSS external logic' (left) and 'NSS internal logic' (right) by a dashed vertical line. On the external side, the 'NSS pin' is connected to a 'GPIO logic' block. On the internal side, the 'NSS Input' is connected to a multiplexer (MUX) and an 'NSS Output Control' block. The MUX has two inputs: 'SSI control bit' (input 1) and 'GPIO logic' output (input 0). The 'NSS Input' line is connected to the output of the MUX. The 'NSS Output Control' block is connected to the 'NSS Output' line and receives 'SSOE control bit' and 'NSS Input' signals. A note indicates that the 'NSS Output' is 'used in Master mode & NSS HW management only'. The 'SSM control bit' is connected to the MUX and the 'NSS Output Control' block.
| NSS Inp. | Master mode | Slave mode |
|---|---|---|
| Vdd | OK | Non active |
| Vss | Conflict | Active |
aiv14746e
26.3.6 Communication formats
During SPI communication, receive and transmit operations are performed simultaneously. The serial clock (SCK) synchronizes the shifting and sampling of the information on the data lines. The communication format depends on the clock phase, the clock polarity and the data frame format. To be able to communicate together, the master and slaves devices must follow the same communication format.
Clock phase and polarity controls
Four possible timing relationships may be chosen by software, using the CPOL and CPHA bits in the SPIx_CR1 register. The CPOL (clock polarity) bit controls the idle state value of the clock when no data is being transferred. This bit affects both master and slave modes. If CPOL is reset, the SCK pin has a low-level idle state. If CPOL is set, the SCK pin has a high-level idle state.
If the CPHA bit is set, the second edge on the SCK pin captures the first data bit transacted (falling edge if the CPOL bit is reset, rising edge if the CPOL bit is set). Data are latched on each occurrence of this clock transition type. If the CPHA bit is reset, the first edge on the SCK pin captures the first data bit transacted (falling edge if the CPOL bit is set, rising edge if the CPOL bit is reset). Data are latched on each occurrence of this clock transition type.
The combination of CPOL (clock polarity) and CPHA (clock phase) bits selects the data capture clock edge.
Figure 277 , shows an SPI full-duplex transfer with the four combinations of the CPHA and CPOL bits.
Note: Prior to changing the CPOL/CPHA bits the SPI must be disabled by resetting the SPE bit. The idle state of SCK must correspond to the polarity selected in the SPIx_CR1 register (by pulling up SCK if CPOL=1 or pulling down SCK if CPOL=0).
Figure 277. Data clock timing diagram

The diagram illustrates the data clock timing for SPI/I2S. It is divided into two main sections based on the CPHA (Clock Phase) setting.
CPHA = 1:
- CPOL = 1: The clock is high when idle. The capture strobe is generated on the rising edge of the clock.
- CPOL = 0: The clock is low when idle. The capture strobe is generated on the falling edge of the clock.
- MOSI: Master Out Slave In. The data is shifted out from the master and captured by the slave. The first bit is the MSB (Most Significant Bit) and the last bit is the LSB (Least Significant Bit).
- MISO: Master In Slave Out. The data is shifted out from the slave and captured by the master. The first bit is the MSB and the last bit is the LSB.
- NSS (to slave): Slave Select line. It is active low. It is pulled low by the master to select the slave.
- Capture strobe: A vertical line with an arrow pointing to the clock edge used for data capture.
CPHA = 0:
- CPOL = 1: The clock is high when idle. The capture strobe is generated on the falling edge of the clock.
- CPOL = 0: The clock is low when idle. The capture strobe is generated on the rising edge of the clock.
- MOSI: Master Out Slave In. The data is shifted out from the master and captured by the slave. The first bit is the MSB and the last bit is the LSB.
- MISO: Master In Slave Out. The data is shifted out from the slave and captured by the master. The first bit is the MSB and the last bit is the LSB.
- NSS (to slave): Slave Select line. It is active low. It is pulled low by the master to select the slave.
- Capture strobe: A vertical line with an arrow pointing to the clock edge used for data capture.
ai17154d
Note: The order of data bits depends on LSBFIRST bit setting.
Data frame format
The SPI shift register can be set up to shift out MSB-first or LSB-first, depending on the value of the LSBFIRST bit. Each data frame is 8 or 16 bit long depending on the size of the data programmed using the DFF bit in the SPI_CR1 register. The selected data frame format is applicable both for transmission and reception.
26.3.7 SPI configuration
The configuration procedure is almost the same for master and slave. For specific mode setups, follow the dedicated chapters. When a standard communication is to be initialized, perform these steps:
- 1. Write proper GPIO registers: Configure GPIO for MOSI, MISO and SCK pins.
- 2. Write to the SPI_CR1 register:
- a) Configure the serial clock baud rate using the BR[2:0] bits ( Note: 3 ).
- b) Configure the CPOL and CPHA bits combination to define one of the four relationships between the data transfer and the serial clock. ( Note: 2 - except the case when CRC is enabled at TI mode).
- c) Select simplex or half-duplex mode by configuring RXONLY or BIDIMODE and BIDIOE (RXONLY and BIDIMODE can't be set at the same time).
- d) Configure the LSBFIRST bit to define the frame format ( Note: 2 ).
- e) Configure the CRCEN and CRCEN bits if CRC is needed (while SCK clock signal is at idle state).
- f) Configure SSM and SSI ( Note: 2 ).
- g) Configure the MSTR bit (in multimaster NSS configuration, avoid conflict state on NSS if master is configured to prevent MODF error).
- h) Set the DFF bit to configure the data frame format (8 or 16 bits).
- 3. Write to SPI_CR2 register:
- a) Configure SSOE ( Note: 1 & 2 ).
- b) Set the FRF bit if the TI protocol is required.
- 4. Write to SPI_CRCPR register: Configure the CRC polynomial if needed.
- 5. Write proper DMA registers: Configure DMA streams dedicated for SPI Tx and Rx in DMA registers if the DMA streams are used.
- Note:
- (1) Step is not required in slave mode.
- (2) Step is not required in TI mode.
- (3) The step is not required in slave mode except slave working at TI mode.
26.3.8 Procedure for enabling SPI
It is recommended to enable the SPI slave before the master sends the clock. Otherwise, undesired data transmission might occur. The slave data register must already contain data to be sent before starting communication with the master (either on the first edge of the communication clock, or before the end of the ongoing communication if the clock signal is continuous). The SCK signal must be settled at an idle state level corresponding to the selected polarity before the SPI slave is enabled.
At full-duplex (or in any transmit-only mode), the master starts communicating when the SPI is enabled and data to be sent is written in the Tx Buffer.
In any master receive-only mode (RXONLY=1 or BIDIMODE=1 & BIDIOE=0), the master starts communicating and the clock starts running immediately after the SPI is enabled.
The slave starts communicating when it receives a correct clock signal from the master. The slave software must write the data to be sent before the SPI master initiates the transfer.
Refer to Section 26.3.11: Communication using DMA (direct memory addressing) for details on how to handle DMA.
26.3.9 Data transmission and reception procedures
Rx and Tx buffers
In reception, data are received and then stored into an internal Rx buffer while in transmission, data are first stored into an internal Tx buffer before being transmitted. A read access to the SPI_DR register returns the Rx buffered value whereas a write access to the SPI_DR stores the written data into the Tx buffer.
Tx buffer handling
The data frame is loaded from the Tx buffer into the shift register during the first bit transmission. Bits are then shifted out serially from the shift register to a dedicated output pin depending on LSBFIRST bit setting. The TXE flag (Tx buffer empty) is set when the data are transferred from the Tx buffer to the shift register. It indicates that the internal Tx buffer is ready to be loaded with the next data. An interrupt can be generated if the TXEIE bit of the SPI_CR2 register is set. Clearing the TXE bit is performed by writing to the SPI_DR register.
A continuous transmit stream can be achieved if the next data to be transmitted are stored in the Tx buffer while previous frame transmission is still ongoing. When the software writes to Tx buffer while the TXE flag is not set, the data waiting for transaction is overwritten.
Rx buffer handling
The RXNE flag (Rx buffer not empty) is set on the last sampling clock edge, when the data are transferred from the shift register to the Rx buffer. It indicates that data are ready to be read from the SPI_DR register. An interrupt can be generated if the RXNEIE bit in the SPI_CR2 register is set. Clearing the RXNE bit is performed by reading the SPI_DR register.
If a device has not cleared the RXNE bit resulting from the previous data byte transmitted, an overrun condition occurs when the next value is buffered. The OVR bit is set and an interrupt is generated if the ERRIE bit is set.
Another way to manage the data exchange is to use DMA (see Section 9.2: DMA main features ).
Sequence handling
The BSY bit is set when a current data frame transaction is ongoing. When the clock signal runs continuously, the BSY flag remains set between data frames on the master side. However, on the slave side, it becomes low for a minimum duration of one SPI clock cycle between each data frame transfer.
For some configurations, the BSY flag can be used during the last data transfer to wait until the completion of the transfer.
When a receive-only mode is configured on the master side, either in half-duplex (BIDIMODE=1, BIDIOE=0) or simplex configuration (BIDIMODE=0, RXONLY=1), the master starts the receive sequence as soon as the SPI is enabled. Then the clock signal is provided by the master and it does not stop until either the SPI or the receive-only mode is disabled by the master. The master receives data frames continuously up to this moment.
While the master can provide all the transactions in continuous mode (SCK signal is continuous), it has to respect slave capability to handle data flow and its content at anytime. When necessary, the master must slow down the communication and provide either a slower clock or separate frames or data sessions with sufficient delays. Be aware there is no
underflow error signal for slave operating in SPI mode, and that data from the slave are always transacted and processed by the master even if the slave cannot not prepare them correctly in time. It is preferable for the slave to use DMA, especially when data frames are shorter and bus rate is high.
Each sequence must be encased by the NSS pulse in parallel with the multislave system to select just one of the slaves for communication. In single slave systems, using NSS to control the slave is not necessary. However, the NSS pulse can be used to synchronize the slave with the beginning of each data transfer sequence. NSS can be managed either by software or by hardware (see Section 26.3.4: Multimaster communication ).
Refer to Figure 278 and Figure 279 for a description of continuous transfers in master / full-duplex and slave full-duplex mode.
Figure 278. TXE/RXNE/BSY behavior in master / full-duplex mode (BIDIMODE=0, RXONLY=0) in the case of continuous transfers

Example in Master mode with CPOL=1, CPHA=1
The diagram illustrates the timing and control signals for a SPI master in full-duplex mode during continuous transfers. The signals shown are:
- SCK: Serial clock signal, shown as a continuous square wave.
- MISO/MOSI (out): Master Out Slave In (out) signal. It shows three 8-bit data frames: DATA1 = 0xF1, DATA2 = 0xF2, and DATA3 = 0xF3. Each frame consists of bits b0 through b7.
- TXE flag: Transmit buffer empty flag. It is set by hardware when the Tx buffer is empty and cleared by software when data is written to the SPI_DR register.
- Tx buffer (write SPI_DR): Transmit buffer. It shows the data values 0xF1, 0xF2, and 0xF3 being written into the buffer.
- BSY flag: Busy flag. It is set by hardware when the SPI is active and reset by hardware when the transfer is complete.
- MISO/MOSI (in): Master In Slave Out (in) signal. It shows three 8-bit data frames: DATA 1 = 0xA1, DATA 2 = 0xA2, and DATA 3 = 0xA3. Each frame consists of bits b0 through b7.
- RXNE flag: Receive buffer not empty flag. It is set by hardware when the Rx buffer is not empty and cleared by software when data is read from the SPI_DR register.
- Rx buffer (read SPI_DR): Receive buffer. It shows the data values 0xA1, 0xA2, and 0xA3 being read from the buffer.
Software actions are indicated at the bottom of the diagram:
- software writes 0xF1 into SPI_DR
- software waits until TXE=1 and writes 0xF2 into SPI_DR
- software waits until RXNE=1 and reads 0xA1 from SPI_DR
- software waits until TXE=1 and writes 0xF3 into SPI_DR
- software waits until RXNE=1 and reads 0xA2 from SPI_DR
- software waits until RXNE=1 and reads 0xA3 from SPI_DR
ai17343
Figure 279. TXE/RXNE/BSY behavior in slave / full-duplex mode (BIDIMODE=0, RXONLY=0) in the case of continuous transfers

Example in Slave mode with CPOL=1, CPHA=1
The diagram illustrates the timing and flag behavior for continuous SPI transfers in slave mode. The SCK line is a continuous square wave. The MISO/MOSI (out) line transmits DATA 1 = 0xF1, DATA 2 = 0xF2, and DATA 3 = 0xF3, each split into bytes b0 through b7. The TXE flag is set by hardware when the Tx buffer is empty and cleared by software when data is written. The Tx buffer (write to SPI_DR) contains 0xF1, 0xF2, and 0xF3. The BSY flag is set by hardware when a transfer starts and cleared by software when the transfer is complete; it is reset by hardware at the end. The MISO/MOSI (in) line receives DATA 1 = 0xA1, DATA 2 = 0xA2, and DATA 3 = 0xA3, also split into bytes b0 through b7. The RXNE flag is set by hardware when the Rx buffer is not empty and cleared by software when data is read. The Rx buffer (read from SPI_DR) contains 0xA1, 0xA2, and 0xA3. Software actions are indicated at the bottom: writing 0xF1 into SPI_DR, waiting until TXE=1 and writing 0xF2, waiting until RXNE=1 and reading 0xA1, waiting until TXE=1 and writing 0xF3, waiting until RXNE=1 and reading 0xA2, and finally waiting until RXNE=1 and reading 0xA3.
ai17344
26.3.10 Procedure for disabling the SPI
When SPI is disabled, it is mandatory to follow the disable procedures described in this paragraph. It is important to do this before the system enters a low-power mode when the peripheral clock is stopped. Ongoing transactions can be corrupted in this case. In some modes the disable procedure is the only way to stop continuous communication running.
Master in full-duplex or transmit only mode can finish any transaction when it stops providing data for transmission. In this case, the clock stops after the last data transaction.
Standard disable procedure is based on pulling BSY status together with TXE flag to check if a transmission session is fully completed. This check can be done in specific cases, too, when it is necessary to identify the end of ongoing transactions, for example:
- • When NSS signal is managed by an arbitrary GPIO toggle and the master has to provide proper end of NSS pulse for slave, or
- • When transactions' streams from DMA are completed while the last data frame or CRC frame transaction is still ongoing in the peripheral bus.
The correct disable procedure is (except when receive-only mode is used):
- 1. Wait until RXNE=1 to receive the last data.
- 2. Wait until TXE=1 and then wait until BSY=0 before disabling the SPI.
- 3. Read received data.
Note: During discontinuous communications, there is a 2 APB clock period delay between the write operation to the SPI_DR register and BSY bit setting. As a consequence it is mandatory to wait first until TXE is set and then until BSY is cleared after writing the last data.
The correct disable procedure for certain receive-only modes is:
- 1. Interrupt the receive flow by disabling SPI (SPE=0) in the specific time window while the last data frame is ongoing.
- 2. Wait until BSY=0 (the last data frame is processed).
- 3. Read received data.
Note: To stop a continuous receive sequence, a specific time window must be respected during the reception of the last data frame. It starts when the first bit is sampled and ends before the last bit transfer starts.
26.3.11 Communication using DMA (direct memory addressing)
To operate at its maximum speed and to facilitate the data register read/write process required to avoid overrun, the SPI features a DMA capability, which implements a simple request/acknowledge protocol.
A DMA access is requested when the TXE or RXNE enable bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set. Separate requests must be issued to the Tx and Rx buffers.
- • In transmission, a DMA request is issued each time TXE is set to 1. The DMA then writes to the SPIx_DR register.
- • In reception, a DMA request is issued each time RXNE is set to 1. The DMA then reads the SPIx_DR register.
Refer to Figure 280 and Figure 281 for a description of the DMA transmission and reception waveforms.
When the SPI is used only to transmit data, it is possible to enable only the SPI Tx DMA channel. In this case, the OVR flag is set because the data received is not read. When the SPI is used only to receive data, it is possible to enable only the SPI Rx DMA channel.
In transmission mode, when the DMA has written all the data to be transmitted (the TCIF flag is set in the DMA_ISR register), the BSY flag can be monitored to ensure that the SPI communication is complete. This is required to avoid corrupting the last transmission before disabling the SPI or entering the Stop mode. The software must first wait until TXE = 1 and then until BSY = 0.
When starting communication using DMA, to prevent DMA channel management raising error events, these steps must be followed in order:
- 1. Enable DMA Rx buffer in the RXDMAEN bit in the SPI_CR2 register, if DMA Rx is used.
- 2. Enable DMA streams for Tx and Rx in DMA registers, if the streams are used.
- 3. Enable DMA Tx buffer in the TXDMAEN bit in the SPI_CR2 register, if DMA Tx is used.
- 4. Enable the SPI by setting the SPE bit.
To close communication it is mandatory to follow these steps in order:
- 1. Disable DMA streams for Tx and Rx in the DMA registers, if the streams are used.
- 2. Disable the SPI by following the SPI disable procedure.
- 3. Disable DMA Tx and Rx buffers by clearing the TXDMAEN and RXDMAEN bits in the SPI_CR2 register, if DMA Tx and/or DMA Rx are used.
Figure 280. Transmission using DMA

Example with CPOL=1, CPHA=1
The diagram illustrates the timing for SPI transmission using DMA for three data items: DATA 1 = 0xF1, DATA 2 = 0xF2, and DATA 3 = 0xF3. Each data item is transmitted as 8 bits (b0 to b7).
- SCK: Serial clock signal, shown as a continuous square wave.
- MISO/MOSI (out): Master In/Slave Out signal, shown as a sequence of bits for each data item.
- TXE flag: Transmit buffer empty flag. It is set by hardware when the buffer is empty and cleared by a DMA write. It is set again when the last bit of a data item is transmitted.
- BSY flag: Busy flag. It is set by hardware when the SPI is active and reset by hardware when the transmission is complete.
- DMA request: A request signal for the DMA. It is ignored by the DMA because the DMA transfer is complete after the third data item is written.
- Tx buffer (write to SPI_DR): The buffer where data is written. It contains 0xF1, 0xF2, and 0xF3.
- DMA writes to SPI_DR: The sequence of DMA writes to the SPI_DR register to load the data items.
- DMA TCIF flag (DMA transfer complete): A flag set by hardware when the DMA transfer is complete (after the third data item is written) and cleared by software.
Sequence of events:
- software configures the DMA SPI Tx channel to send 3 data items and enables the SPI
- DMA writes DATA1 into SPI_DR
- DMA writes DATA2 into SPI_DR
- DMA writes DATA3 into SPI_DR
- DMA transfer is complete (TCIF=1 in DMA_ISR)
- software waits until TXE=1
- software waits until BSY=0
ai17349
Figure 281. Reception using DMA

Example with CPOL=1, CPHA=1
The diagram illustrates the timing for SPI reception using DMA. The SCK signal is a periodic square wave. The MISO/MOSI (in) signal shows the reception of three data items: DATA 1 = 0xA1, DATA 2 = 0xA2, and DATA 3 = 0xA3. Each data item is received in 8 bits (b0 to b7). The RXNE flag is set by hardware when the first bit of a data item is received and cleared by a DMA read. The DMA request is generated when the RXNE flag is set. The Rx buffer (read from SPI_DR) contains the received data items. The DMA read from SPI_DR is performed by the DMA controller. The flag DMA TCIF (DMA transfer complete) is set by hardware when the last data item is received and cleared by software.
software configures the DMA SPI Rx channel to receive 3 data items and enables the SPI
DMA reads DATA1 from SPI_DR
DMA reads DATA2 from SPI_DR
DMA reads DATA3 from SPI_DR
The DMA transfer is complete (TCIF=1 in DMA_ISR)
ai17350
26.3.12 SPI status flags
Three status flags are provided for the application to completely monitor the state of the SPI bus.
Tx buffer empty flag (TXE)
When it is set, the TXE flag indicates that the Tx buffer is empty and that the next data to be transmitted can be loaded into the buffer. The TXE flag is cleared by writing to the SPI_DR register.
Rx buffer not empty (RXNE)
When set, the RXNE flag indicates that there are valid received data in the Rx buffer. It is cleared by reading from the SPI_DR register.
Busy flag (BSY)
The BSY flag is set and cleared by hardware (writing to this flag has no effect).
When BSY is set, it indicates that a data transfer is in progress on the SPI (the SPI bus is busy). There is one exception in master bidirectional receive mode (MSTR=1 and BDM=1 and BDOE=0) where the BSY flag is kept low during reception.
The BSY flag can be used in certain modes to detect the end of a transfer, thus preventing corruption of the last transfer when the SPI peripheral clock is disabled before entering a low-power mode or an NSS pulse end is handled by software.
The BSY flag is also useful for preventing write collisions in a multimaster system.
The BSY flag is cleared under any one of the following conditions:
- • When the SPI is correctly disabled
- • When a fault is detected in Master mode (MODF bit set to 1)
- • In Master mode, when it finishes a data transmission and no new data is ready to be sent
- • In Slave mode, when the BSY flag is set to '0' for at least one SPI clock cycle between each data transfer.
Note: It is recommended to use always the TXE and RXNE flags (instead of the BSY flags) to handle data transmission or reception operations.
26.3.13 SPI error flags
An SPI interrupt is generated if one of the following error flags is set and interrupt is enabled by setting the ERRIE bit.
Overrun flag (OVR)
An overrun condition occurs when the master or the slave completes the reception of the next data frame while the read operation of the previous frame from the Rx buffer has not completed (case RXNE flag is set).
In this case, the content of the Rx buffer is not updated with the new data received. A read operation from the SPI_DR register returns the frame previously received. All other subsequently transmitted data are lost.
Clearing the OVR bit is done by a read access to the SPI_DR register followed by a read access to the SPI_SR register.
Mode fault (MODF)
Mode fault occurs when the master device has its internal NSS signal (NSS pin in NSS hardware mode, or SSI bit in NSS software mode) pulled low. This automatically sets the MODF bit. Master mode fault affects the SPI interface in the following ways:
- • The MODF bit is set and an SPI interrupt is generated if the ERRIE bit is set.
- • The SPE bit is cleared. This blocks all output from the device and disables the SPI interface.
- • The MSTR bit is cleared, thus forcing the device into slave mode.
Use the following software sequence to clear the MODF bit:
- 1. Make a read or write access to the SPIx_SR register while the MODF bit is set.
- 2. Then write to the SPIx_CR1 register.
To avoid any multiple slave conflicts in a system comprising several MCUs, the NSS pin must be pulled high during the MODF bit clearing sequence. The SPE and MSTR bits can be restored to their original state after this clearing sequence. As a security, hardware does not allow the SPE and MSTR bits to be set while the MODF bit is set. In a slave device the MODF bit cannot be set except as the result of a previous multimaster conflict.
CRC error (CRCERR)
This flag is used to verify the validity of the value received when the CRCEN bit in the SPIx_CR1 register is set. The CRCERR flag in the SPIx_SR register is set if the value received in the shift register does not match the receiver SPIx_RXCRC value. The flag is cleared by the software.
TI mode frame format error (FRE)
A TI mode frame format error is detected when an NSS pulse occurs during an ongoing communication when the SPI is operating in slave mode and configured to conform to the TI mode protocol. When this error occurs, the FRE flag is set in the SPIx_SR register. The SPI is not disabled when an error occurs, the NSS pulse is ignored, and the SPI waits for the next NSS pulse before starting a new transfer. The data may be corrupted since the error detection may result in the loss of two data bytes.
The FRE flag is cleared when SPIx_SR register is read. If the ERRIE bit is set, an interrupt is generated on the NSS error detection. In this case, the SPI should be disabled because data consistency is no longer guaranteed and communications should be re-initiated by the master when the slave SPI is enabled again.
26.4 SPI special features
26.4.1 TI mode
TI protocol in master mode
The SPI interface is compatible with the TI protocol. The FRF bit of the SPIx_CR2 register can be used to configure the SPI to be compliant with this protocol.
The clock polarity and phase are forced to conform to the TI protocol requirements whatever the values set in the SPIx_CR1 register. NSS management is also specific to the TI protocol which makes the configuration of NSS management through the SPIx_CR1 and SPIx_CR2 registers (SSM, SSI, SSOE) impossible in this case.
In slave mode, the SPI baud rate prescaler is used to control the moment when the MISO pin state changes to HiZ when the current transaction finishes (see Figure 282 ). Any baud rate can be used, making it possible to determine this moment with optimal flexibility. However, the baud rate is generally set to the external master clock baud rate. The delay for the MISO signal to become HiZ ( \( t_{\text{release}} \) ) depends on internal resynchronization and on the baud rate value set in through the BR[2:0] bits in the SPIx_CR1 register. It is given by the formula:
If the slave detects a misplaced NSS pulse during a data frame transaction the TIFRE flag is set.
This feature is not available for Motorola SPI communications (FRF bit set to 0).
Note: To detect TI frame errors in slave transmitter only mode by using the Error interrupt (ERRIE=1), the SPI must be configured in 1-line bidirectional mode by setting BIDIMODE and BIDIOE to 1 in the SPI_CR1 register. When BIDIMODE is set to 0, OVR is set to 1 because the data register is never read and error interrupts are always generated, while when BIDIMODE is set to 1, data are not received and OVR is never set.
Figure 282 shows the SPI communication waveforms when TI mode is selected.
Figure 282. TI mode transfer

The diagram shows the timing for a TI mode transfer. The top signal is NSS (Slave Select), which is active-low. The second signal is SCK (Serial Clock), a square wave. The third signal is MOSI (Master Out Slave In), showing data being transmitted from the master to the slave. The first bit is labeled 'Do not care', followed by 'MSB' (Most Significant Bit) and 'LSB' (Least Significant Bit) for subsequent bits. The fourth signal is MISO (Master In Slave Out), showing data being received by the master from the slave. The first bit is labeled '1 or 0', followed by 'MSB' and 'LSB' for subsequent bits. The diagram is divided into two frames, 'FRAME 1' and 'FRAME 2'. 'Trigger' and 'sampling' points are indicated for the data bits. A 't_RELEASE' time is shown for the NSS signal. The diagram is labeled 'MS19835V2' in the bottom right corner.
26.4.2 CRC calculation
Two separate CRC calculators (on transmission and reception data flows) are implemented in order to check the reliability of transmitted and received data. The SPI offers CRC8 or CRC16 calculation depending on the data format selected through the DFF bit. The CRC is calculated serially using the polynomial programmed in the SPI_CRCPR register.
CRC principle
CRC calculation is enabled by setting the CRCEN bit in the SPIx_CR1 register before the SPI is enabled (SPE = 1). The CRC value is calculated using an odd programmable polynomial on each bit. The calculation is processed on the sampling clock edge defined by the CPHA and CPOL bits in the SPIx_CR1 register. The calculated CRC value is checked automatically at the end of the data block as well as for transfer managed by CPU or by the DMA. When a mismatch is detected between the CRC calculated internally on the received data and the CRC sent by the transmitter, a CRCERR flag is set to indicate a data corruption error. The right procedure for handling the CRC calculation depends on the SPI configuration and the chosen transfer management.
Note: The polynomial value should only be odd. No even values are supported.
CRC transfer managed by CPU
Communication starts and continues normally until the last data frame has to be sent or received in the SPIx_DR register. Then CRCNEXT bit has to be set in the SPIx_CR1 register to indicate that the CRC frame transaction will follow after the transaction of the currently processed data frame. The CRCNEXT bit must be set before the end of the last data frame transaction. CRC calculation is frozen during CRC transaction.
The received CRC is stored in the Rx buffer like any other data frame.
A CRC-format transaction takes one more data frame to communicate at the end of data sequence.
When the last CRC data is received, an automatic check is performed comparing the received value and the value in the SPIx_RXCRC register. Software has to check the CRCERR flag in the SPIx_SR register to determine if the data transfers were corrupted or not. Software clears the CRCERR flag by writing '0' to it.
After the CRC reception, the CRC value is stored in the Rx buffer and must be read in the SPIx_DR register in order to clear the RXNE flag.
CRC transfer managed by DMA
When SPI communication is enabled with CRC communication and DMA mode, the transmission and reception of the CRC at the end of communication is automatic (with the exception of reading CRC data in receive-only mode). The CRCNEXT bit does not have to be handled by the software. The counter for the SPI transmission DMA channel has to be set to the number of data frames to transmit excluding the CRC frame. On the receiver side, the received CRC value is handled automatically by DMA at the end of the transaction but user must take care to flush out the CRC frame received from SPI_DR as it is always loaded into it.
At the end of the data and CRC transfers, the CRCERR flag in the SPIx_SR register is set if corruption occurred during the transfer.
Resetting the SPIx_TXCRC and SPIx_RXCRC values
The SPIx_TXCRC and SPIx_RXCRC values are cleared automatically when CRC calculation is enabled.
When the SPI is configured in slave mode with the CRC feature enabled, a CRC calculation is performed even if a high level is applied on the NSS pin. This may happen for example in case of a multislave environment where the communication master addresses slaves alternately.
Between a slave disabling (high level on NSS) and a new slave enabling (low level on NSS), the CRC value should be cleared on both master and slave sides to resynchronize the master and slave respective CRC calculation.
To clear the CRC, follow the below sequence:
- 1. Disable the SPI
- 2. Clear the CRCEN bit
- 3. Enable the CRCEN bit
- 4. Enable the SPI
Note: When the SPI interface is configured as a slave, the NSS internal signal needs to be kept low during transaction of the CRC phase once the CRCNEXT signal is released, (see more details at the product errata sheet).
At TI mode, despite the fact that the clock phase and clock polarity setting is fixed and independent on the SPIx_CR1 register, the corresponding setting CPOL=0 CPHA=1 has to be kept at the SPIx_CR1 register anyway if CRC is applied. In addition, the CRC calculation has to be reset between sessions by the SPI disable sequence by re-enabling the CRCEN bit described above at both master and slave sides, else the CRC calculation can be corrupted at this specific mode.
26.5 SPI interrupts
During SPI communication an interrupts can be generated by the following events:
- • Transmit Tx buffer ready to be loaded
- • Data received in Rx buffer
- • Master mode fault
- • Overrun error
- • TI frame format error
Interrupts can be enabled and disabled separately.
Table 157. SPI interrupt requests
| Interrupt event | Event flag | Enable Control bit |
|---|---|---|
| Transmit Tx buffer ready to be loaded | TXE | TXEIE |
| Data received in Rx buffer | RXNE | RXNEIE |
| Master Mode fault event | MODF | ERRIE |
| Overrun error | OVR | |
| CRC error | CRCERR | |
| TI frame format error | FRE |
26.6 I 2 S functional description
26.6.1 I 2 S general description
The block diagram of the I 2 S is shown in Figure 283 .
Figure 283. I 2 S block diagram

The diagram illustrates the internal architecture of the I 2 S interface. At the top, an 'Address and data bus' connects to a 'Tx buffer' and a 'Communication control' block. The 'Tx buffer' feeds into a '16-bit Shift register' (configured for 'LSB first'), which in turn connects to an 'Rx buffer'. The 'Rx buffer' outputs to the 'MISO/ I2S2ext_SD/ I2S3ext_SD (1) ' pin. The 'MOSI/SD' pin provides input to the 'Shift register'. The 'NSS/WS' pin is connected to the 'Communication control' block. The 'Communication control' block is linked to several control registers: a top row containing 'BSY', 'OVR', 'MODF', 'CRC ERR', 'UDR', 'CH SIDE', 'TxE', 'RxNE', and 'FRE'; a middle row containing 'I2SCFG [1:0]', 'I2SSTD [1:0]', 'CK POL', 'DATLEN [1:0]', 'CH LEN', 'I2S MOD', and 'I2SE'; and a bottom row containing 'Bidi mode', 'Bidi OE', 'CRC EN', 'CRC Next', 'DFF', 'Rx only', 'SSM', and 'SSI'. Below these is another register with 'LSB First', 'SPE', 'BR2', 'BR1', 'BR0', 'MSTR', 'CPOL', and 'CPHA'. The 'Master control logic' block is connected to the 'Communication control' and the 'SPI baud rate generator'. The 'SPI baud rate generator' is connected to the 'CK' pin and the 'I2S clock generator'. The 'I2S clock generator' is connected to the 'I2SxCLK' pin and has control registers 'MCKOE', 'ODD', and 'I2SDIV[7:0]'. The 'MCK' pin is connected to the 'I2S clock generator' via a dashed line. The 'I2SMOD' pin is connected to the 'I2S clock generator' via a dashed line. The 'CK' pin is connected to the 'I2S_CK' pin via a multiplexer. The 'MISO' pin is connected to the 'MCK' pin via a dashed line.
- 1. I2S2ext_SD and I2S3ext_SD are the extended SD pins that control the I2S full-duplex mode.
- 2. MCK is mapped on the MISO pin.
The SPI can function as an audio I 2 S interface when the I 2 S capability is enabled (by setting the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register). This interface mainly uses the same pins, flags and interrupts as the SPI.
The I 2 S shares three common pins with the SPI:
- • SD : Serial Data (mapped on the MOSI pin) to transmit or receive the two time-multiplexed data channels (in half-duplex mode only).
- • WS : Word Select (mapped on the NSS pin) is the data control signal output in master mode and input in slave mode.
- • CK : Serial Clock (mapped on the SCK pin) is the serial clock output in master mode and serial clock input in slave mode.
An additional pin can be used when a master clock output is needed for some external audio devices:
- • MCK : Master Clock (mapped separately) is used, when the I 2 S is configured in master mode (and when the MCKOE bit in the SPIx_I2SPR register is set), to output this additional clock generated at a preconfigured frequency rate equal to \( 256 \times f_S \) , where \( f_S \) is the audio sampling frequency.
The I 2 S uses its own clock generator to produce the communication clock when it is set in master mode. This clock generator is also the source of the master clock output. Two additional registers are available in I 2 S mode. One is linked to the clock generator configuration SPIx_I2SPR and the other one is a generic I 2 S configuration register SPIx_I2SCFGR (audio standard, slave/master mode, data format, packet frame, clock polarity, etc.).
The SPIx_CR1 register and all CRC registers are not used in the I 2 S mode. Likewise, the SSOE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register and the MODF and CRCERR bits in the SPIx_SR are not used.
The I 2 S uses the same SPI register for data transfer ( SPIx_DR ) in 16-bit wide mode.
26.6.2 I2S full-duplex
To support I2S full-duplex mode, two extra I 2 S instances called extended I2Ss (I2S2_ext, I2S3_ext) are available in addition to I2S2 and I2S3 (see Figure 284 ). The first I2S full-duplex interface is consequently based on I2S2 and I2S2_ext, and the second one on I2S3 and I2S3_ext.
Note: I2S2_ext and I2S3_ext are used only in full-duplex mode.
Figure 284. I2S full-duplex block diagram

graph LR
SCK[I2Sx_SCK] --- B1[SPI/I2Sx]
SCK --- B2[I2Sx_ext]
WS[I2Sx_WS] --- B1
WS --- B2
B1 --- SD1[SPIx_MOSI/I2Sx_SD in/out]
B2 --- SD2[I2Sx_extSD in/out]
MS19910V2
- 1. Where x can be 2 or 3.
I2Sx can operate in master mode. As a result:
- • Only I2Sx can output SCK and WS in half-duplex mode
- • Only I2Sx can deliver SCK and WS to I2S2_ext and I2S3_ext in full-duplex mode.
The extended I2Ss (I2Sx_ext) can be used only in full-duplex mode. The I2Sx_ext operate always in slave mode.
Both I2Sx and I2Sx_ext can be configured as transmitters or receivers.
26.6.3 Supported audio protocols
The three-line bus has to handle only audio data generally time-multiplexed on two channels: the right channel and the left channel. However there is only one 16-bit register for transmission or reception. So, it is up to the software to write into the data register the appropriate value corresponding to each channel side, or to read the data from the data register and to identify the corresponding channel by checking the CHSIDE bit in the SPIx_SR register. Channel left is always sent first followed by the channel right (CHSIDE has no meaning for the PCM protocol).
Four data and packet frames are available. Data may be sent with a format of:
- • 16-bit data packed in a 16-bit frame
- • 16-bit data packed in a 32-bit frame
- • 24-bit data packed in a 32-bit frame
- • 32-bit data packed in a 32-bit frame
When using 16-bit data extended on 32-bit packet, the first 16 bits (MSB) are the significant bits, the 16-bit LSB is forced to 0 without any need for software action or DMA request (only one read/write operation).
The 24-bit and 32-bit data frames need two CPU read or write operations to/from the SPIx_DR register or two DMA operations if the DMA is preferred for the application. For 24-bit data frame specifically, the 8 non significant bits are extended to 32 bits with 0-bits (by hardware).
For all data formats and communication standards, the most significant bit is always sent first (MSB first).
The I 2 S interface supports four audio standards, configurable using the I2SSTD[1:0] and PCMSYNC bits in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register.
I 2 S Philips standard
For this standard, the WS signal is used to indicate which channel is being transmitted. It is activated one CK clock cycle before the first bit (MSB) is available.
Figure 285. I 2 S Philips protocol waveforms (16/32-bit full accuracy, CPOL = 0)
Data are latched on the falling edge of CK (for the transmitter) and are read on the rising edge (for the receiver). The WS signal is also latched on the falling edge of CK.
Figure 286. I 2 S Philips standard waveforms (24-bit frame with CPOL = 0)
This mode needs two write or read operations to/from the SPIx_DR register.
- • In transmission mode:
If 0x8EAA33 has to be sent (24-bit):
Figure 287. Transmitting 0x8EAA33

- • In reception mode:
If data 0x8EAA33 is received:
Figure 288. Receiving 0x8EAA33

First read to Data register
0x8EAA
Second read to Data register
0x33XX
Only the 8 MSB are sent to compare the 24 bits
8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything
MS19594V1

CK
WS
SD
Transmission
Reception
16-bit data
16-bit remaining 0 forced
MSB
LSB
Channel left 32-bit
Channel right
MS19599V1
When 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame is selected during the I 2 S configuration phase, only one access to the SPIx_DR register is required. The 16 remaining bits are forced by hardware to 0x0000 to extend the data to 32-bit format.
If the data to transmit or the received data are 0x76A3 (0x76A30000 extended to 32-bit), the operation shown in Figure 290 is required.
Figure 290. Example of 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame

Only one access to SPIx_DR
0x76A3
MS19595V1
For transmission, each time an MSB is written to SPIx_DR, the TXE flag is set and its interrupt, if allowed, is generated to load the SPIx_DR register with the new value to send. This takes place even if 0x0000 have not yet been sent because it is done by hardware.
For reception, the RXNE flag is set and its interrupt, if allowed, is generated when the first 16 MSB half-word is received.
In this way, more time is provided between two write or read operations, which prevents underrun or overrun conditions (depending on the direction of the data transfer).
MSB justified standard
For this standard, the WS signal is generated at the same time as the first data bit, which is the MSBit.
Figure 291. MSB Justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy length with CPOL = 0

Data are latched on the falling edge of CK (for transmitter) and are read on the rising edge (for the receiver).
Figure 292. MSB justified 24-bit frame length with CPOL = 0

Figure 293. MSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame with CPOL = 0

LSB justified standard
This standard is similar to the MSB justified standard (no difference for the 16-bit and 32-bit full-accuracy frame formats).
Figure 294. LSB justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy with CPOL = 0

Figure 295. LSB justified 24-bit frame length with CPOL = 0

- • In transmission mode:
If data 0x3478AE have to be transmitted, two write operations to the SPIx_DR register are required by software or by DMA. The operations are shown below.
Figure 296. Operations required to transmit 0x3478AE

| First write to Data register conditioned by TXE=1 | Second write to Data register conditioned by TXE=1 |
|---|---|
| 0xXX34 | 0x78AE |
| Only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant. A field of 0x00 is forced instead of the 8 MSBs. |
MS19596V1
- • In reception mode:
If data 0x3478AE are received, two successive read operations from the SPIx_DR register are required on each RXNE event.
Figure 297. Operations required to receive 0x3478AE

First read from Data register conditioned by RXNE=1
0xXX34
Only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant.
A field of 0x00 is forced instead of the 8 MSBs.
Second read from Data register conditioned by RXNE=1
0x78AE
MS19597V1
Figure 298. LSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame with CPOL = 0

CK
WS
SD
Transmission
Reception
16-bit data 0 forced
MSB
16-bit remaining
LSB
Channel left 32-bit
Channel right
MS30105V1
When 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame is selected during the I 2 S configuration phase, Only one access to the SPIx_DR register is required. The 16 remaining bits are forced by hardware to 0x0000 to extend the data to 32-bit format. In this case it corresponds to the half-word MSB.
If the data to transmit or the received data are 0x76A3 (0x0000 76A3 extended to 32-bit), the operation shown in Figure 299 is required.
Figure 299. Example of 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame

Only one access to the SPIx-DR register
0x76A3
MS19598V1
In transmission mode, when a TXE event occurs, the application has to write the data to be transmitted (in this case 0x76A3). The 0x000 field is transmitted first (extension on 32-bit). The TXE flag is set again as soon as the effective data (0x76A3) is sent on SD.
In reception mode, RXNE is asserted as soon as the significant half-word is received (and not the 0x0000 field).
In this way, more time is provided between two write or read operations to prevent underrun or overrun conditions.
PCM standard
For the PCM standard, there is no need to use channel-side information. The two PCM modes (short and long frame) are available and configurable using the PCMSYNC bit in SPIx_I2SCFGR register.
Figure 300. PCM standard waveforms (16-bit)

For long frame synchronization, the WS signal assertion time is fixed to 13 bits in master mode.
For short frame synchronization, the WS synchronization signal is only one cycle long.
Figure 301. PCM standard waveforms (16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame)

Note: For both modes (master and slave) and for both synchronizations (short and long), the number of bits between two consecutive pieces of data (and so two synchronization signals) needs to be specified (DATLEN and CHLEN bits in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register) even in slave mode.
26.6.4 Clock generator
The I 2 S bitrate determines the data flow on the I 2 S data line and the I 2 S clock signal frequency.
For a 16-bit audio, left and right channel, the I 2 S bitrate is calculated as follows:
It will be: \( \text{I}^2\text{S bitrate} = 32 \times 2 \times f_s \) if the packet length is 32-bit wide.
Figure 302. Audio sampling frequency definition

When the master mode is configured, a specific action needs to be taken to properly program the linear divider in order to communicate with the desired audio frequency.
Figure 303 presents the communication clock architecture. The I2SxCLK clock is provided by the RCC block, refer to the RCC section for details.
Figure 303. I 2 S clock generator architecture![Figure 303: I2S clock generator architecture diagram. The I2SxCLK input goes to an '8-bit linear divider + reshaping stage'. This stage has control inputs from registers MCKOE, ODD, and I2SDIV[7:0]. The output of the divider goes to a 'Divider by 4', which then goes to a 'Div2' block. The output of Div2 goes to a multiplexer (MUX) labeled '0' and '1'. The MUX output is CK. Another MUX labeled '0' and '1' has inputs from the Div2 output and the I2SDIV[7:0] register. Its output is MCK. Control inputs for the MUXes are MCKOE and CHLEN. The diagram is labeled MS30109V1 in the bottom right corner.](/RM0402-STM32F412/8e3d17ee11d7cdac29810a51390dca75_img.jpg)
1. Where \( x = 2 \) .
The audio sampling frequency may be 192 KHz, 96 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 32 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 16 kHz, 11.025 kHz or 8 kHz (or any other value within this range). In order to reach the desired frequency, the linear divider needs to be programmed according to the formulas below:
When the master clock is generated (MCKOE in the SPIx_I2SPR register is set):
When the master clock is disabled (MCKOE bit cleared):
Table 158 provides example precision values for different clock configurations.
Note: Other configurations are possible that allow optimum clock precision.
Table 158. Audio-frequency precision using standard 8 MHz HSE (1)| I2SxCLK (MHz) | Data length | I2SDIV | I2SODD | MCLK | Target f s (Hz) | Real f s (KHz) | Error |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 16 | 8 | 0 | No | 96000 | 93750 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 32 | 4 | 0 | No | 96000 | 93750 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 16 | 15 | 1 | No | 48000 | 48387.0968 | 0.8065% |
| 48 | 32 | 8 | 0 | No | 48000 | 46875 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 16 | 17 | 0 | No | 44100 | 44117.647 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 32 | 8 | 1 | No | 44100 | 44117.647 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 16 | 23 | 1 | No | 32000 | 31914.8936 | 0.2660% |
| 48 | 32 | 11 | 1 | No | 32000 | 32608.696 | 1.9022% |
| 48 | 16 | 34 | 0 | No | 22050 | 22058.8235 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 32 | 17 | 0 | No | 22050 | 22058.8235 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 16 | 47 | 0 | No | 16000 | 15957.4468 | 0.2660% |
| 48 | 32 | 23 | 1 | No | 16000 | 15957.447 | 0.2660% |
| 48 | 16 | 68 | 0 | No | 11025 | 11029.4118 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 32 | 34 | 0 | No | 11025 | 11029.412 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 16 | 94 | 0 | No | 8000 | 7978.7234 | 0.2660% |
| 48 | 32 | 47 | 0 | No | 8000 | 7978.7234 | 0.2660% |
| 48 | 16 | 2 | 0 | Yes | 48000 | 46875 | 2.3430% |
| 48 | 32 | 2 | 0 | Yes | 48000 | 46875 | 2.3430% |
| 48 | 16 | 2 | 0 | Yes | 44100 | 46875 | 6.2925% |
| 48 | 32 | 2 | 0 | Yes | 44100 | 46875 | 6.2925% |
| 48 | 16 | 3 | 0 | Yes | 32000 | 31250 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 32 | 3 | 0 | Yes | 32000 | 31250 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 16 | 4 | 1 | Yes | 22050 | 20833.333 | 5.5178% |
| 48 | 32 | 4 | 1 | Yes | 22050 | 20833.333 | 5.5178% |
| 48 | 16 | 6 | 0 | Yes | 16000 | 15625 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 32 | 6 | 0 | Yes | 16000 | 15625 | 2.3438% |
| 48 | 16 | 8 | 1 | Yes | 11025 | 11029.4118 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 32 | 8 | 1 | Yes | 11025 | 11029.4118 | 0.0400% |
| 48 | 16 | 11 | 1 | Yes | 8000 | 8152.17391 | 1.9022% |
| 48 | 32 | 11 | 1 | Yes | 8000 | 8152.17391 | 1.9022% |
1. This table gives only example values for different clock configurations. Other configurations allowing optimum clock precision are possible.
26.6.5 I 2 S master mode
The I 2 S can be configured as follows:
- • In master mode for transmission or reception (half-duplex mode using I2Sx)
- • In master mode transmission and reception (full-duplex mode using I2Sx and I2Sx_ext).
This means that the serial clock is generated on the CK pin as well as the Word Select signal WS. Master clock (MCK) may be output or not, controlled by the MCKOE bit in the SPIx_I2SPR register.
Procedure
- 1. Select the I2SDIV[7:0] bits in the SPIx_I2SPR register to define the serial clock baud rate to reach the proper audio sample frequency. The ODD bit in the SPIx_I2SPR register also has to be defined.
- 2. Select the CKPOL bit to define the steady level for the communication clock. Set the MCKOE bit in the SPIx_I2SPR register if the master clock MCK needs to be provided to the external ADC audio component (the I2SDIV and ODD values should be computed depending on the state of the MCK output, for more details refer to Section 26.6.4: Clock generator ).
- 3. Set the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register to activate the I 2 S functions and choose the I 2 S standard through the I2SSTD[1:0] and PCMSYNC bits, the data length through the DATLEN[1:0] bits and the number of bits per channel by configuring the CHLEN bit. Select also the I 2 S master mode and direction (Transmitter or Receiver) through the I2SCFG[1:0] bits in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register.
- 4. If needed, select all the potential interrupt sources and the DMA capabilities by writing the SPIx_CR2 register.
- 5. The I2SE bit in SPIx_I2SCFGR register must be set.
WS and CK are configured in output mode. MCK is also an output, if the MCKOE bit in SPIx_I2SPR is set.
Transmission sequence
The transmission sequence begins when a half-word is written into the Tx buffer.
Lets assume the first data written into the Tx buffer corresponds to the left channel data. When data are transferred from the Tx buffer to the shift register, TXE is set and data corresponding to the right channel have to be written into the Tx buffer. The CHSIDE flag indicates which channel is to be transmitted. It has a meaning when the TXE flag is set because the CHSIDE flag is updated when TXE goes high.
A full frame has to be considered as a left channel data transmission followed by a right channel data transmission. It is not possible to have a partial frame where only the left channel is sent.
The data half-word is parallel loaded into the 16-bit shift register during the first bit transmission, and then shifted out, serially, to the MOSI/SD pin, MSB first. The TXE flag is set after each transfer from the Tx buffer to the shift register and an interrupt is generated if the TXEIE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set.
For more details about the write operations depending on the I 2 S Standard-mode selected, refer to Section 26.6.3: Supported audio protocols .
To ensure a continuous audio data transmission, it is mandatory to write the SPIx_DR register with the next data to transmit before the end of the current transmission.
To switch off the I 2 S, by clearing I2SE, it is mandatory to wait for TXE = 1 and BSY = 0.
Reception sequence
The operating mode is the same as for transmission mode except for the point 3 (refer to the procedure described in Section 26.6.5: I 2 S master mode ), where the configuration should set the master reception mode through the I2SCFG[1:0] bits.
Whatever the data or channel length, the audio data are received by 16-bit packets. This means that each time the Rx buffer is full, the RXNE flag is set and an interrupt is generated if the RXNEIE bit is set in SPIx_CR2 register. Depending on the data and channel length configuration, the audio value received for a right or left channel may result from one or two receptions into the Rx buffer.
Clearing the RXNE bit is performed by reading the SPIx_DR register.
CHSIDE is updated after each reception. It is sensitive to the WS signal generated by the I 2 S cell.
For more details about the read operations depending on the I 2 S Standard-mode selected, refer to Section 26.6.3: Supported audio protocols .
If data are received while the previously received data have not been read yet, an overrun is generated and the OVR flag is set. If the ERRIE bit is set in the SPIx_CR2 register, an interrupt is generated to indicate the error.
To switch off the I 2 S, specific actions are required to ensure that the I 2 S completes the transfer cycle properly without initiating a new data transfer. The sequence depends on the configuration of the data and channel lengths, and on the audio protocol mode selected. In the case of:
- • 16-bit data length extended on 32-bit channel length (DATLEN = 00 and CHLEN = 1) using the LSB justified mode (I2SSTD = 10)
- a) Wait for the second to last RXNE = 1 (n – 1)
- b) Then wait 17 I 2 S clock cycles (using a software loop)
- c) Disable the I 2 S (I2SE = 0)
- • 16-bit data length extended on 32-bit channel length (DATLEN = 00 and CHLEN = 1) in MSB justified, I
2
S or PCM modes (I2SSTD = 00, I2SSTD = 01 or I2SSTD = 11, respectively)
- a) Wait for the last RXNE
- b) Then wait 1 I 2 S clock cycle (using a software loop)
- c) Disable the I 2 S (I2SE = 0)
- • For all other combinations of DATLEN and CHLEN, whatever the audio mode selected through the I2SSTD bits, carry out the following sequence to switch off the I
2
S:
- a) Wait for the second to last RXNE = 1 (n – 1)
- b) Then wait one I 2 S clock cycle (using a software loop)
- c) Disable the I 2 S (I2SE = 0)
Note: The BSY flag is kept low during transfers.
26.6.6 I 2 S slave mode
The I 2 S can be configured as follows:
- • In slave mode for transmission or reception (half-duplex mode using I2Sx)
- • In slave mode transmission and reception (full-duplex mode using I2Sx and I2Sx_ext).
The operating mode is following mainly the same rules as described for the I 2 S master configuration. In slave mode, there is no clock to be generated by the I 2 S interface. The clock and WS signals are input from the external master connected to the I 2 S interface. There is then no need, for the user, to configure the clock.
The configuration steps to follow are listed below:
- 1. Set the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register to select I 2 S mode and choose the I 2 S standard through the I2SSTD[1:0] bits, the data length through the DATLEN[1:0] bits and the number of bits per channel for the frame configuring the CHLEN bit. Select also the mode (transmission or reception) for the slave through the I2SCFG[1:0] bits in SPIx_I2SCFGR register.
- 2. If needed, select all the potential interrupt sources and the DMA capabilities by writing the SPIx_CR2 register.
- 3. The I2SE bit in SPIx_I2SCFGR register must be set.
Transmission sequence
The transmission sequence begins when the external master device sends the clock and when the NSS_WS signal requests the transfer of data. The slave has to be enabled before the external master starts the communication. The I 2 S data register has to be loaded before the master initiates the communication.
For the I 2 S, MSB justified and LSB justified modes, the first data item to be written into the data register corresponds to the data for the left channel. When the communication starts, the data are transferred from the Tx buffer to the shift register. The TXE flag is then set in order to request the right channel data to be written into the I 2 S data register.
The CHSIDE flag indicates which channel is to be transmitted. Compared to the master transmission mode, in slave mode, CHSIDE is sensitive to the WS signal coming from the external master. This means that the slave needs to be ready to transmit the first data before the clock is generated by the master. WS assertion corresponds to left channel transmitted first.
Note: The I2SE has to be written at least two PCLK cycles before the first clock of the master comes on the CK line.
The data half-word is parallel-loaded into the 16-bit shift register (from the internal bus) during the first bit transmission, and then shifted out serially to the MOSI/SD pin MSB first. The TXE flag is set after each transfer from the Tx buffer to the shift register and an interrupt is generated if the TXEIE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set.
Note that the TXE flag should be checked to be at 1 before attempting to write the Tx buffer.
For more details about the write operations depending on the I 2 S Standard-mode selected, refer to Section 26.6.3: Supported audio protocols .
To secure a continuous audio data transmission, it is mandatory to write the SPIx_DR register with the next data to transmit before the end of the current transmission. An underrun flag is set and an interrupt may be generated if the data are not written into the SPIx_DR register before the first clock edge of the next data communication. This indicates to the software that the transferred data are wrong. If the ERRRIE bit is set into the SPIx_CR2 register, an interrupt is generated when the UDR flag in the SPIx_SR register goes high. In this case, it is mandatory to switch off the I 2 S and to restart a data transfer starting from the left channel.
To switch off the I 2 S, by clearing the I2SE bit, it is mandatory to wait for TXE = 1 and BSY = 0.
Reception sequence
The operating mode is the same as for the transmission mode except for the point 1 (refer to the procedure described in Section 26.6.6: I 2 S slave mode ), where the configuration should set the master reception mode using the I2SCFG[1:0] bits in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register.
Whatever the data length or the channel length, the audio data are received by 16-bit packets. This means that each time the RX buffer is full, the RXNE flag in the SPIx_SR register is set and an interrupt is generated if the RXNEIE bit is set in the SPIx_CR2 register. Depending on the data length and channel length configuration, the audio value received for a right or left channel may result from one or two receptions into the RX buffer.
The CHSIDE flag is updated each time data are received to be read from the SPIx_DR register. It is sensitive to the external WS line managed by the external master component.
Clearing the RXNE bit is performed by reading the SPIx_DR register.
For more details about the read operations depending the I 2 S Standard-mode selected, refer to Section 26.6.3: Supported audio protocols .
If data are received while the preceding received data have not yet been read, an overrun is generated and the OVR flag is set. If the bit ERRRIE is set in the SPIx_CR2 register, an interrupt is generated to indicate the error.
To switch off the I 2 S in reception mode, I2SE has to be cleared immediately after receiving the last RXNE = 1.
Note: The external master components should have the capability of sending/receiving data in 16-bit or 32-bit packets via an audio channel.
26.6.7 I 2 S status flags
Three status flags are provided for the application to fully monitor the state of the I 2 S bus.
Busy flag (BSY)
The BSY flag is set and cleared by hardware (writing to this flag has no effect). It indicates the state of the communication layer of the I 2 S.
When BSY is set, it indicates that the I 2 S is busy communicating. There is one exception in master receive mode (I2SCFG = 11) where the BSY flag is kept low during reception.
The BSY flag is useful to detect the end of a transfer if the software needs to disable the I 2 S. This avoids corrupting the last transfer. For this, the procedure described below must be strictly respected.
The BSY flag is set when a transfer starts, except when the I 2 S is in master receiver mode.
The BSY flag is cleared:
- • When a transfer completes (except in master transmit mode, in which the communication is supposed to be continuous)
- • When the I 2 S is disabled
When communication is continuous:
- • In master transmit mode, the BSY flag is kept high during all the transfers
- • In slave mode, the BSY flag goes low for one I 2 S clock cycle between each transfer
Note: Do not use the BSY flag to handle each data transmission or reception. It is better to use the TXE and RXNE flags instead.
Tx buffer empty flag (TXE)
When set, this flag indicates that the Tx buffer is empty and the next data to be transmitted can then be loaded into it. The TXE flag is reset when the Tx buffer already contains data to be transmitted. It is also reset when the I 2 S is disabled (I2SE bit is reset).
RX buffer not empty (RXNE)
When set, this flag indicates that there are valid received data in the RX Buffer. It is reset when SPIx_DR register is read.
Channel Side flag (CHSIDE)
In transmission mode, this flag is refreshed when TXE goes high. It indicates the channel side to which the data to transfer on SD has to belong. In case of an underrun error event in slave transmission mode, this flag is not reliable and I 2 S needs to be switched off and switched on before resuming the communication.
In reception mode, this flag is refreshed when data are received into SPIx_DR. It indicates from which channel side data have been received. Note that in case of error (like OVR) this flag becomes meaningless and the I 2 S should be reset by disabling and then enabling it (with configuration if it needs changing).
This flag has no meaning in the PCM standard (for both Short and Long frame modes).
When the OVR or UDR flag in the SPIx_SR is set and the ERRIE bit in SPIx_CR2 is also set, an interrupt is generated. This interrupt can be cleared by reading the SPIx_SR status register (once the interrupt source has been cleared).
26.6.8 I 2 S error flags
There are three error flags for the I 2 S cell.
Underrun flag (UDR)
In slave transmission mode this flag is set when the first clock for data transmission appears while the software has not yet loaded any value into SPIx_DR. It is available when the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register is set. An interrupt may be generated if the ERRIE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set.
The UDR bit is cleared by a read operation on the SPIx_SR register.
Overrun flag (OVR)
This flag is set when data are received and the previous data have not yet been read from the SPIx_DR register. As a result, the incoming data are lost. An interrupt may be generated if the ERRIE bit is set in the SPIx_CR2 register.
In this case, the receive buffer contents are not updated with the newly received data from the transmitter device. A read operation to the SPIx_DR register returns the previous correctly received data. All other subsequently transmitted half-words are lost.
Clearing the OVR bit is done by a read operation on the SPIx_DR register followed by a read access to the SPIx_SR register.
Frame error flag (FRE)
This flag can be set by hardware only if the I 2 S is configured in Slave mode. It is set if the external master is changing the WS line while the slave is not expecting this change. If the synchronization is lost, the following steps are required to recover from this state and resynchronize the external master device with the I 2 S slave device:
- 1. Disable the I 2 S.
- 2. Enable it again when the correct level is detected on the WS line (WS line is high in I 2 S mode or low for MSB- or LSB-justified or PCM modes).
Desynchronization between master and slave devices may be due to noisy environment on the SCK communication clock or on the WS frame synchronization line. An error interrupt can be generated if the ERRIE bit is set. The desynchronization flag (FRE) is cleared by software when the status register is read.
26.6.9 I 2 S interrupts
Table 159 provides the list of I 2 S interrupts.
Table 159. I 2 S interrupt requests
| Interrupt event | Event flag | Enable control bit |
|---|---|---|
| Transmit buffer empty flag | TXE | TXEIE |
| Receive buffer not empty flag | RXNE | RXNEIE |
| Overrun error | OVR | ERRIE |
| Underrun error | UDR | |
| Frame error flag | FRE |
26.6.10 DMA features
In I 2 S mode, the DMA works in exactly the same way as it does in SPI mode. There is no difference except that the CRC feature is not available in I 2 S mode since there is no data transfer protection system.
26.7 SPI and I 2 S registers
The peripheral registers can be accessed by half-words (16-bit) or words (32-bit). In addition, SPI_DR can be accessed by 8-bit.
Refer to Section 1.2 for a list of abbreviations used in register descriptions.
26.7.1 SPI control register 1 (SPI_CR1) (not used in I 2 S mode)
Address offset: 0x00
Reset value: 0x0000
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIDI MODE | BIDI OE | CRC EN | CRC NEXT | DFF | RX ONLY | SSM | SSI | LSB FIRST | SPE | BR [2:0] | MSTR | CPOL | CPHA | ||
| rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw |
Bit 15 BIDIMODE : Bidirectional data mode enable
This bit enables half-duplex communication using common single bidirectional data line.
Keep RXONLY bit clear when bidirectional mode is active.
0: 2-line unidirectional data mode selected
1: 1-line bidirectional data mode selected
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode
Bit 14 BIDIOE : Output enable in bidirectional mode
This bit combined with the BIDIMODE bit selects the direction of transfer in bidirectional mode
0: Output disabled (receive-only mode)
1: Output enabled (transmit-only mode)
Note: In master mode, the MOSI pin is used while the MISO pin is used in slave mode.
This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 13 CRCEN : Hardware CRC calculation enable
0: CRC calculation disabled
1: CRC calculation enabled
Note: This bit should be written only when SPI is disabled (SPE = '0') for correct operation.
It is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 12 CRCNEXT : CRC transfer next
0: Data phase (no CRC phase)
1: Next transfer is CRC (CRC phase)
Note: When the SPI is configured in full-duplex or transmitter only modes, CRCNEXT must be written as soon as the last data is written to the SPI_DR register.
When the SPI is configured in receiver only mode, CRCNEXT must be set after the second last data reception.
This bit should be kept cleared when the transfers are managed by DMA.
It is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 11 DFF : Data frame format
0: 8-bit data frame format is selected for transmission/reception
1: 16-bit data frame format is selected for transmission/reception
Note: This bit should be written only when SPI is disabled (SPE = '0') for correct operation.
It is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 10 RXONLY: Receive only mode enableThis bit enables simplex communication using a single unidirectional line to receive data exclusively. Keep BIDIMODE bit clear when receive only mode is active.
This bit is also useful in a multislave system in which this particular slave is not accessed, the output from the accessed slave is not corrupted.
0: full-duplex (Transmit and receive)
1: Output disabled (Receive-only mode)
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode
Bit 9 SSM: Software slave managementWhen the SSM bit is set, the NSS pin input is replaced with the value from the SSI bit.
0: Software slave management disabled
1: Software slave management enabled
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode
Bit 8 SSI: Internal slave selectThis bit has an effect only when the SSM bit is set. The value of this bit is forced onto the NSS pin and the IO value of the NSS pin is ignored.
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode
Bit 7 LSBFIRST: Frame format0: MSB transmitted first
1: LSB transmitted first
Note: This bit should not be changed when communication is ongoing.
It is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode
Bit 6 SPE: SPI enable0: Peripheral disabled
1: Peripheral enabled
Note: When disabling the SPI, follow the procedure described in Section 26.3.10: Procedure for disabling the SPI .
This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bits 5:3 BR[2:0]: Baud rate control000: f PCLK /2
001: f PCLK /4
010: f PCLK /8
011: f PCLK /16
100: f PCLK /32
101: f PCLK /64
110: f PCLK /128
111: f PCLK /256
Note: These bits should not be changed when communication is ongoing.
They are not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 2 MSTR : Master selection
- 0: Slave configuration
- 1: Master configuration
Note: This bit should not be changed when communication is ongoing.
It is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 1 CPOL : Clock polarity
- 0: CK to 0 when idle
- 1: CK to 1 when idle
Note: This bit should not be changed when communication is ongoing.
It is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode except the case when CRC is applied at TI mode.
Bit 0 CPHA : Clock phase
- 0: The first clock transition is the first data capture edge
- 1: The second clock transition is the first data capture edge
Note: This bit should not be changed when communication is ongoing.
It is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode except the case when CRC is applied at TI mode.
26.7.2 SPI control register 2 (SPI_CR2)
Address offset: 0x04
Reset value: 0x0000
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | TXEIE | RXNEIE | ERRIE | FRF | Res. | SSOE | TXDMAEN | RXDMAEN |
| rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw |
Bits 15:8 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.
Bit 7 TXEIE : Tx buffer empty interrupt enable
- 0: TXE interrupt masked
- 1: TXE interrupt not masked. Used to generate an interrupt request when the TXE flag is set.
Bit 6 RXNEIE : RX buffer not empty interrupt enable
- 0: RXNE interrupt masked
- 1: RXNE interrupt not masked. Used to generate an interrupt request when the RXNE flag is set.
Bit 5 ERRIE : Error interrupt enable
This bit controls the generation of an interrupt when an error condition occurs (OVR, CRCERR, MODF, FRE in SPI mode, and UDR, OVR, FRE in I 2 S mode).
- 0: Error interrupt is masked
- 1: Error interrupt is enabled
Bit 4 FRF : Frame format
- 0: SPI Motorola mode
- 1: SPI TI mode
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 3 Reserved. Forced to 0 by hardware.
Bit 2 SSOE : SS output enable
0: SS output is disabled in master mode and the cell can work in multimaster configuration
1: SS output is enabled in master mode and when the cell is enabled. The cell cannot work in a multimaster environment.
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode.
Bit 1 TXDMAEN : Tx buffer DMA enable
When this bit is set, the DMA request is made whenever the TXE flag is set.
0: Tx buffer DMA disabled
1: Tx buffer DMA enabled
Bit 0 RXDMAEN : Rx buffer DMA enable
When this bit is set, the DMA request is made whenever the RXNE flag is set.
0: Rx buffer DMA disabled
1: Rx buffer DMA enabled
26.7.3 SPI status register (SPI_SR)
Address offset: 0x08
Reset value: 0x0002
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | FRE | BSY | OVR | MODF | CRC ERR | UDR | CHSIDE | TXE | RXNE |
| r | r | r | r | rc_w0 | r | r | r | r |
Bits 15:9 Reserved. Forced to 0 by hardware.
Bit 8 FRE : Frame Error
0: No frame error
1: Frame error occurred.
This bit is set by hardware and cleared by software when the SPI_SR register is read.
This bit is used in SPI TI mode or in I2S mode whatever the audio protocol selected. It detects a change on NSS or WS line which takes place in slave mode at a non expected time, informing about a desynchronization between the external master device and the slave.
Bit 7 BSY : Busy flag
0: SPI (or I2S) not busy
1: SPI (or I2S) is busy in communication or Tx buffer is not empty
This flag is set and cleared by hardware.
Note: BSY flag must be used with caution: refer to Section 26.3.12: SPI status flags and Section 26.3.10: Procedure for disabling the SPI .
Bit 6 OVR : Overrun flag
0: No overrun occurred
1: Overrun occurred
This flag is set by hardware and reset by a software sequence. Refer to Section 26.3.13: SPI error flags for the software sequence.
Bit 5 MODF : Mode fault0: No mode fault occurred
1: Mode fault occurred
This flag is set by hardware and reset by a software sequence. Refer to Section 26.4 on page 820 for the software sequence.
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode
Bit 4 CRCERR : CRC error flag0: CRC value received matches the SPI_RXCRCR value
1: CRC value received does not match the SPI_RXCRCR value
This flag is set by hardware and cleared by software writing 0.
Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.
Bit 3 UDR : Underrun flag0: No underrun occurred
1: Underrun occurred
This flag is set by hardware and reset by a software sequence. Refer to Section 26.6.8: I 2 S error flags for the software sequence.
Note: This bit is not used in SPI mode.
Bit 2 CHSIDE : Channel side0: Channel Left has to be transmitted or has been received
1: Channel Right has to be transmitted or has been received
Note: This bit is not used for SPI mode and is meaningless in PCM mode.
Bit 1 TXE : Transmit buffer empty0: Tx buffer not empty
1: Tx buffer empty
Bit 0 RXNE : Receive buffer not empty0: Rx buffer empty
1: Rx buffer not empty
26.7.4 SPI data register (SPI_DR)
Address offset: 0x0C
Reset value: 0x0000
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw |
Bits 15:0 DR[15:0] : Data register
Data received or to be transmitted.
The data register is split into 2 buffers - one for writing (Transmit Buffer) and another one for reading (Receive buffer). A write to the data register will write into the Tx buffer and a read from the data register will return the value held in the Rx buffer.
Note: These notes apply to SPI mode:
Depending on the data frame format selection bit (DFF in SPI_CR1 register), the data sent or received is either 8-bit or 16-bit. This selection has to be made before enabling the SPI to ensure correct operation.
For an 8-bit data frame, the buffers are 8-bit and only the LSB of the register (SPI_DR[7:0]) is used for transmission/reception. When in reception mode, the MSB of the register (SPI_DR[15:8]) is forced to 0.
For a 16-bit data frame, the buffers are 16-bit and the entire register, SPI_DR[15:0] is used for transmission/reception.
26.7.5 SPI CRC polynomial register (SPI_CRCPR) (not used in I 2 S mode)
Address offset: 0x10
Reset value: 0x0007
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRCPOLY[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw |
Bits 15:0 CRCPOLY[15:0] : CRC polynomial register
This register contains the polynomial for the CRC calculation.
The CRC polynomial (0007h) is the reset value of this register. Another polynomial can be configured as required.
Note: These bits are not used for the I 2 S mode.
26.7.6 SPI RX CRC register (SPI_RXCRCR) (not used in I 2 S mode)
Address offset: 0x14
Reset value: 0x0000

| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| RXCRC[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r |
Bits 15:0 RXCRC[15:0] : Rx CRC register
When CRC calculation is enabled, the RxCRC[15:0] bits contain the computed CRC value of the subsequently received bytes. This register is reset when the CRCEN bit in SPI_CR1 register is written to 1. The CRC is calculated serially using the polynomial programmed in the SPI_CRCPR register.
Only the 8 LSB bits are considered when the data frame format is set to be 8-bit data (DFF bit of SPI_CR1 is cleared). CRC calculation is done based on any CRC8 standard.
The entire 16-bits of this register are considered when a 16-bit data frame format is selected (DFF bit of the SPI_CR1 register is set). CRC calculation is done based on any CRC16 standard.
Note: A read to this register when the BSY Flag is set could return an incorrect value. These bits are not used for I 2 S mode.
26.7.7 SPI TX CRC register (SPI_TXCRCR) (not used in I 2 S mode)
Address offset: 0x18
Reset value: 0x0000

| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| TXCRC[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r | r |
Bits 15:0 TXCRC[15:0] : Tx CRC register
When CRC calculation is enabled, the TxCRC[7:0] bits contain the computed CRC value of the subsequently transmitted bytes. This register is reset when the CRCEN bit of SPI_CR1 is written to 1. The CRC is calculated serially using the polynomial programmed in the SPI_CRCPR register.
Only the 8 LSB bits are considered when the data frame format is set to be 8-bit data (DFF bit of SPI_CR1 is cleared). CRC calculation is done based on any CRC8 standard.
The entire 16-bits of this register are considered when a 16-bit data frame format is selected (DFF bit of the SPI_CR1 register is set). CRC calculation is done based on any CRC16 standard.
Note: A read to this register when the BSY flag is set could return an incorrect value. These bits are not used for I 2 S mode.
26.7.8 SPI_I 2 S configuration register (SPI_I2SCFGR)
Address offset: 0x1C
Reset value: 0x0000
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Res. | Res. | ASTREN | I2SMOD | I2SE | I2SCFG | PCMSYNC | Res. | I2SSTD | CKPOL | DATLEN | CHLEN | |||
| rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | rw | ||||
Bits 15:13 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.
Bit 12 ASTREN : Asynchronous start enable.
0: The Asynchronous start is disabled. When the I2S is enabled in slave mode, the I2S slave starts the transfer when the I2S clock is received and an appropriate transition (depending on the protocol selected) is detected on the WS signal.
1: The Asynchronous start is enabled. When the I2S is enabled in slave mode, the I2S slave starts immediately the transfer when the I2S clock is received from the master without checking the expected transition of WS signal.
Note: Note: The appropriate transition is a falling edge on WS signal when I2S Philips Standard is used, or a rising edge for other standards.
Bit 11 I2SMOD : I2S mode selection
0: SPI mode is selected
1: I2S mode is selected
Note: This bit should be configured when the SPI or I 2 S is disabled
Bit 10 I2SE : I2S Enable
0: I 2 S peripheral is disabled
1: I 2 S peripheral is enabled
Note: This bit is not used in SPI mode.
Bits 9:8 I2SCFG : I2S configuration mode
00: Slave - transmit
01: Slave - receive
10: Master - transmit
11: Master - receive
Note: This bit should be configured when the I
2
S is disabled.
It is not used in SPI mode.
Bit 7 PCMSYNC : PCM frame synchronization
0: Short frame synchronization
1: Long frame synchronization
Note: This bit has a meaning only if I2SSTD = 11 (PCM standard is used)
It is not used in SPI mode.
Bit 6 Reserved: forced at 0 by hardware
Bits 5:4 I2SSTD : I2S standard selection
- 00: I 2 S Philips standard.
- 01: MSB justified standard (left justified)
- 10: LSB justified standard (right justified)
- 11: PCM standard
For more details on I 2 S standards, refer to Section 26.6.3 on page 826 . Not used in SPI mode.
Note: For correct operation, these bits should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled.
Bit 3 CKPOL : Steady state clock polarity
- 0: I 2 S clock steady state is low level
- 1: I 2 S clock steady state is high level
Note: For correct operation, this bit should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled.
This bit is not used in SPI mode.
Bits 2:1 DATLEN : Data length to be transferred
- 00: 16-bit data length
- 01: 24-bit data length
- 10: 32-bit data length
- 11: Not allowed
Note: For correct operation, these bits should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled.
This bit is not used in SPI mode.
Bit 0 CHLEN : Channel length (number of bits per audio channel)
- 0: 16-bit wide
- 1: 32-bit wide
The bit write operation has a meaning only if DATLEN = 00 otherwise the channel length is fixed to 32-bit by hardware whatever the value filled in. Not used in SPI mode.
Note: For correct operation, this bit should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled.
26.7.9 SPI_I 2 S prescaler register (SPI_I2SPR)
Address offset: 0x20
Reset value: 0000 0010 (0x0002)
| 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res | Res | Res | Res | Res | Res | MCKOE | ODD | I2SDIV | |||||||
| rw | rw | rw | |||||||||||||
Bits 15:10 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.
Bit 9 MCKOE : Master clock output enable
0: Master clock output is disabled
1: Master clock output is enabled
Note: This bit should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled. It is used only when the I 2 S is in master mode.
This bit is not used in SPI mode.
Bit 8 ODD : Odd factor for the prescaler
0: real divider value is = I2SDIV *2
1: real divider value is = (I2SDIV * 2)+1
Refer to Section 26.6.4 on page 832 . Not used in SPI mode.
Note: This bit should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled. It is used only when the I 2 S is in master mode.
Bits 7:0 I2SDIV : I2S Linear prescaler
I2SDIV [7:0] = 0 or I2SDIV [7:0] = 1 are forbidden values.
Refer to Section 26.6.4 on page 832 . Not used in SPI mode.
Note: These bits should be configured when the I 2 S is disabled. It is used only when the I 2 S is in master mode.
26.7.10 SPI register map
The table provides shows the SPI register map and reset values.
Table 160. SPI register map and reset values
| Offset | Register name reset value | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIDIMODE | BIDIOE | CRCEN | CRCNEXT | DFF | RXONLY | SSM | SSI | LSBFIRST | SPE | BR [2:0] | MSTR | CPOL | CPHA | ||||
| 0x00 | SPI_CR1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0x04 | SPI_CR2 | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | TXEIE | RXNEIE | ERRIE | FRF | Res. | SSOE | TXDMAEN | RXDMAEN |
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 0x08 | SPI_SR | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | FRE | BSY | OVR | MODF | CRCERR | UDR | CHSIDE | TXE | RXNE |
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0x0C | SPI_DR | DR[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0x10 | SPI_CRCPR | CRCPOLY[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 0x14 | SPI_RXCRCR | RxCRC[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0x18 | SPI_TXCRCR | TxCRC[15:0] | |||||||||||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0x1C | SPI_I2SCFGR | Res. | Res. | Res. | ASTREN | I2SMOD | I2SE | I2SCFG | PCMSYNC | Res. | I2SSTD | CKPOL | DATLEN | CHLEN | |||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 0x20 | SPI_I2SPR | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. | MCKOE | ODD | I2SDIV | |||||||
| Reset value | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||
Refer to Section 2.2 on page 49 for the register boundary addresses.