37. Serial peripheral interface / integrated interchip sound (SPI/I2S)

37.1 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 Motorola 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 integrated interchip sound (I 2 S) protocol is also a synchronous serial communication interface. It can operate in slave or master mode with 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.

37.2 SPI main features

37.3 I2S main features

37.4 SPI/I2S implementation

The following table describes all the SPI instances and their features embedded in the devices.

Table 260. STM32WL5x SPI and SPI/I2S implementation (1)

SPI FeaturesSPI1SPI2S2SUBGHZSPI
Enhanced NSSP and TI modesYesYesYes
Hardware CRC calculationYesYesNo
I 2 S supportNoYesNo
Data size configurablefrom 4 to 16 bitsfrom 4 to 16 bitsfrom 4 to 16 bits
Rx/Tx FIFO size32 bits32 bits32 bits
  1. 1. The SPI1 and SPI2S2 instances are general purpose type while the SUBGHZSPI instance is dedicated for Sub-GHz radio control exclusively.

37.5 SPI functional description

37.5.1 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 347 .

Figure 347. SPI block diagram

Figure 347. SPI block diagram. The diagram shows the internal architecture of an SPI interface. On the left, four pins are shown: MOSI, MISO, SCK, and NSS. The MOSI and MISO pins are connected to a 'Shift register'. The 'Shift register' is connected to two FIFO buffers: 'Rx FIFO' (for receiving data) and 'Tx FIFO' (for transmitting data). Arrows indicate 'Read' from the Rx FIFO and 'Write' to the Tx FIFO. The 'Shift register' is also connected to a 'Communication controller'. The 'Communication controller' is connected to a 'CRC controller', a 'Baud rate generator', and 'NSS logic'. The 'Communication controller' has several control input pins: RXONLY, CPOL, CPHA, DS[0:3], and BIDIOE. The 'CRC controller' has control input pins: CRCEN, CRCNEXT, and CRCL. The 'Baud rate generator' has a control input pin: BR[2:0]. The 'NSS logic' is connected to the 'NSS' pin and has an 'Internal NSS' connection. An 'Address and data bus' is shown at the top, connected to the 'Communication controller'.
Figure 347. SPI block diagram. The diagram shows the internal architecture of an SPI interface. On the left, four pins are shown: MOSI, MISO, SCK, and NSS. The MOSI and MISO pins are connected to a 'Shift register'. The 'Shift register' is connected to two FIFO buffers: 'Rx FIFO' (for receiving data) and 'Tx FIFO' (for transmitting data). Arrows indicate 'Read' from the Rx FIFO and 'Write' to the Tx FIFO. The 'Shift register' is also connected to a 'Communication controller'. The 'Communication controller' is connected to a 'CRC controller', a 'Baud rate generator', and 'NSS logic'. The 'Communication controller' has several control input pins: RXONLY, CPOL, CPHA, DS[0:3], and BIDIOE. The 'CRC controller' has control input pins: CRCEN, CRCNEXT, and CRCL. The 'Baud rate generator' has a control input pin: BR[2:0]. The 'NSS logic' is connected to the 'NSS' pin and has an 'Internal NSS' connection. An 'Address and data bus' is shown at the top, connected to the 'Communication controller'.

Four I/O pins are dedicated to SPI communication with external devices.

See Section 37.5.5: 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.

37.5.2 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 348. Full-duplex single master/ single slave application

Diagram of full-duplex single master/single slave application showing connections between Master and Slave SPI units.

The diagram illustrates a full-duplex SPI connection between a Master and a Slave. The Master unit on the left contains an 'SPI clock generator', an 'Rx shift register', and a 'Tx shift register'. The Slave unit on the right contains a 'Tx shift register' and an 'Rx shift register'. The connections are as follows:

Internal connections within the Master show the SPI clock generator connected to the SCK pin, the Rx shift register connected to the MISO pin, and the Tx shift register connected to the MOSI pin. Similar internal connections are shown for the Slave. The diagram is labeled MSV39623V1.

Diagram of full-duplex single master/single slave application showing connections between Master and Slave SPI units.
  1. 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 37.5.5: 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 349. Half-duplex single master/ single slave application

Figure 349: Half-duplex single master/ single slave application diagram. The diagram shows a Master and a Slave connected via SPI pins: MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master contains an Rx shift register, a Tx shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The Slave contains a Tx shift register and an Rx shift register. The Master's MISO pin is connected to the Slave's MOSI pin, and the Master's MOSI pin is connected to the Slave's MISO pin. A 1kΩ resistor is shown between the Master's MISO and MOSI pins. The Master's SCK pin is connected to the Slave's SCK pin, and the Master's NSS pin is connected to the Slave's NSS pin. The diagram is labeled MSV39624V1.
Figure 349: Half-duplex single master/ single slave application diagram. The diagram shows a Master and a Slave connected via SPI pins: MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master contains an Rx shift register, a Tx shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The Slave contains a Tx shift register and an Rx shift register. The Master's MISO pin is connected to the Slave's MOSI pin, and the Master's MOSI pin is connected to the Slave's MISO pin. A 1kΩ resistor is shown between the Master's MISO and MOSI pins. The Master's SCK pin is connected to the Slave's SCK pin, and the Master's NSS pin is connected to the Slave's NSS pin. The diagram is labeled MSV39624V1.
  1. 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 37.5.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management .
  2. 2. In this configuration, the master's MISO pin and the slave's MOSI pin can be used as GPIOs.
  3. 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_CR1 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.

Figure 350. Simplex single master/single slave application (master in transmit-only/ slave in receive-only mode)

Figure 350: Simplex single master/single slave application diagram. The diagram shows a Master and a Slave connected by four lines: MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master contains an Rx shift register, a Tx shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The Slave contains a Tx shift register and an Rx shift register. Arrows indicate data flow from the Master's Tx shift register to the Slave's Rx shift register. The Master's MISO pin is labeled (2) and the Slave's MISO pin is labeled (1). The Master's NSS pin is labeled (1) and the Slave's NSS pin is labeled (1). The diagram is labeled MSV39625V1.
Figure 350: Simplex single master/single slave application diagram. The diagram shows a Master and a Slave connected by four lines: MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master contains an Rx shift register, a Tx shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The Slave contains a Tx shift register and an Rx shift register. Arrows indicate data flow from the Master's Tx shift register to the Slave's Rx shift register. The Master's MISO pin is labeled (2) and the Slave's MISO pin is labeled (1). The Master's NSS pin is labeled (1) and the Slave's NSS pin is labeled (1). The diagram is labeled MSV39625V1.
  1. 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 37.5.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management .
  2. 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. OVR flag).
  3. 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).

37.5.3 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 351 ). 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 351. Master and three independent slaves

Diagram showing a Master SPI device connected to three independent Slave SPI devices. The Master has pins NSS(1), MISO, MOSI, SCK, IO1, IO2, and IO3. The slaves are labeled Slave 1, Slave 2, and Slave 3. Each slave has pins MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master's MISO pin is connected to the MISO pins of all three slaves. The Master's MOSI pin is connected to the MOSI pins of all three slaves. The Master's SCK pin is connected to the SCK pins of all three slaves. The Master's IO1, IO2, and IO3 pins are connected to the NSS pins of Slave 1, Slave 2, and Slave 3 respectively. Each slave has its own Tx shift register and Rx shift register. The Master has its own Rx shift register, Tx shift register, and SPI clock generator. Arrows indicate data flow: MISO from slaves to master, MOSI from master to slaves, and SCK from master to slaves. The diagram is labeled MSV39626V1 in the bottom right corner.
Diagram showing a Master SPI device connected to three independent Slave SPI devices. The Master has pins NSS(1), MISO, MOSI, SCK, IO1, IO2, and IO3. The slaves are labeled Slave 1, Slave 2, and Slave 3. Each slave has pins MISO, MOSI, SCK, and NSS. The Master's MISO pin is connected to the MISO pins of all three slaves. The Master's MOSI pin is connected to the MOSI pins of all three slaves. The Master's SCK pin is connected to the SCK pins of all three slaves. The Master's IO1, IO2, and IO3 pins are connected to the NSS pins of Slave 1, Slave 2, and Slave 3 respectively. Each slave has its own Tx shift register and Rx shift register. The Master has its own Rx shift register, Tx shift register, and SPI clock generator. Arrows indicate data flow: MISO from slaves to master, MOSI from master to slaves, and SCK from master to slaves. The diagram is labeled MSV39626V1 in the bottom right corner.
  1. 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. 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 I/O alternate function input/output section (GPIO)).

37.5.4 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 temporary 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 352. Multimaster application

Diagram of a multimaster application showing two nodes connected via SPI lines. Each node contains an Rx (Tx) shift register, a Tx (Rx) shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The lines are labeled MISO, MOSI, SCK, GPIO, and NSS(1). Arrows indicate signal flow: MISO and MOSI are bidirectional, SCK is bidirectional, and NSS(1) is shown as a unidirectional output from the left node to the right node.

The diagram illustrates a multimaster application with two nodes connected via a common SPI bus. Each node contains an Rx (Tx) shift register, a Tx (Rx) shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The bus lines are labeled MISO, MOSI, SCK, GPIO, and NSS (1) . Arrows indicate signal flow: MISO and MOSI are bidirectional, SCK is bidirectional, and NSS (1) is shown as a unidirectional output from the left node to the right node. The left node is labeled 'Master (Slave)' and the right node is also labeled 'Master (Slave)'. The diagram is labeled MSV39628V1.

Diagram of a multimaster application showing two nodes connected via SPI lines. Each node contains an Rx (Tx) shift register, a Tx (Rx) shift register, and an SPI clock generator. The lines are labeled MISO, MOSI, SCK, GPIO, and NSS(1). Arrows indicate signal flow: MISO and MOSI are bidirectional, SCK is bidirectional, and NSS(1) is shown as a unidirectional output from the left node to the right node.
  1. 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.

37.5.5 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:

Figure 353. Hardware/software slave select management

Figure 353. Hardware/software slave select management diagram showing internal logic for NSS management with control bits and a mode table.

The diagram illustrates the internal logic for Slave Select (NSS) management. It features a multiplexer (MUX) with inputs '1' (SSI control bit) and '0' (output of GPIO logic connected to the NSS pin). The MUX output is the 'NSS Input'. Below the MUX is an 'NSS Output Control' block with inputs from the 'NSS Input', 'SSOE control bit', and 'NSS Output'. A note indicates the 'NSS Output' is 'used in Master mode and NSS HW management only'. The diagram is split into 'NSS external logic' (left) and 'NSS internal logic' (right).

NSS Inp.Master modeSlave mode
VddOKNon active
VssConflictActive

MSv35526V6

Figure 353. Hardware/software slave select management diagram showing internal logic for NSS management with control bits and a mode table.

37.5.6 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 354, 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 354. Data clock timing diagram

Figure 354. Data clock timing diagram. The diagram illustrates two timing scenarios for SPI full-duplex transfer based on CPHA settings. The top section shows CPHA = 1, where data is captured on the second clock edge of each cycle. The bottom section shows CPHA = 0, where data is captured on the first clock edge. Both sections show the relationship between the clock (SCK), master output (MOSI), master input (MISO), and slave select (NSS) signals. The capture strobe is shown as a narrow pulse on the second clock edge in the CPHA=1 case and on the first clock edge in the CPHA=0 case. The diagram also indicates the MSB and LSB of the data frame.

The figure displays two timing diagrams for SPI full-duplex transfer. The top diagram is for CPHA = 1, and the bottom diagram is for CPHA = 0. Both diagrams show the relationship between the clock (SCK), master output (MOSI), master input (MISO), and slave select (NSS) signals. The capture strobe is shown as a narrow pulse on the second clock edge in the CPHA=1 case and on the first clock edge in the CPHA=0 case. The diagram also indicates the MSB and LSB of the data frame.

Top Diagram (CPHA = 1):

Bottom Diagram (CPHA = 0):

ai17154e

Figure 354. Data clock timing diagram. The diagram illustrates two timing scenarios for SPI full-duplex transfer based on CPHA settings. The top section shows CPHA = 1, where data is captured on the second clock edge of each cycle. The bottom section shows CPHA = 0, where data is captured on the first clock edge. Both sections show the relationship between the clock (SCK), master output (MOSI), master input (MISO), and slave select (NSS) signals. The capture strobe is shown as a narrow pulse on the second clock edge in the CPHA=1 case and on the first clock edge in the CPHA=0 case. The diagram also indicates the MSB and LSB of the data frame.
  1. 1. 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. The data frame size is chosen by using the DS bits. It can be set from 4-bit up to 16-bit length and the setting applies for both transmission and reception. Whatever the selected data frame size, read access to the FIFO must be aligned with the FRXTH level. When the SPIx_DR register is accessed, data frames are always right-aligned into either a byte (if the data fits into a byte) or a half-word (see Figure 355). During communication, only bits within the data frame are clocked and transferred.

Figure 355. Data alignment when data length is not equal to 8-bit or 16-bit

Figure 355: Data alignment when data length is not equal to 8-bit or 16-bit. The diagram shows two cases: DS <= 8 bits (data is right-aligned on byte) and DS > 8 bits (data is right-aligned on 16 bit).

The diagram illustrates data alignment for transmission (TX) and reception (RX) when the data length (DS) is not a multiple of 8 or 16 bits.

DS <= 8 bits: data is right-aligned on byte
Example: DS = 5 bit

TX: A 16-bit register is shown with bits 7, 5, 4, and 0. The first byte (bits 7-0) contains 'XXX' in the upper 5 bits (7-5) and the 5-bit data frame in the lower 5 bits (4-0). The second byte (bits 15-8) is empty.

RX: A 16-bit register is shown with bits 7, 5, 4, and 0. The first byte (bits 7-0) contains '000' in the upper 5 bits (7-5) and the 5-bit data frame in the lower 5 bits (4-0). The second byte (bits 15-8) is empty.

DS > 8 bits: data is right-aligned on 16 bit
Example: DS = 14 bit

TX: A 16-bit register is shown with bits 15, 14, 13, and 0. The first byte (bits 15-8) contains 'XX' in the upper 2 bits (15-14) and the 14-bit data frame in the lower 14 bits (13-0). The second byte (bits 7-0) is empty.

RX: A 16-bit register is shown with bits 15, 14, 13, and 0. The first byte (bits 15-8) contains '00' in the upper 2 bits (15-14) and the 14-bit data frame in the lower 14 bits (13-0). The second byte (bits 7-0) is empty.

MS19589V2

Figure 355: Data alignment when data length is not equal to 8-bit or 16-bit. The diagram shows two cases: DS <= 8 bits (data is right-aligned on byte) and DS > 8 bits (data is right-aligned on 16 bit).

Note: The minimum data length is 4 bits. If a data length of less than 4 bits is selected, it is forced to an 8-bit data frame size.

37.5.7 Configuration of SPI

The configuration procedure is almost the same for master and slave. For specific mode setups, follow the dedicated sections. When a standard communication is to be initialized, perform these steps:

  1. 1. Write proper GPIO registers: Configure GPIO for MOSI, MISO and SCK pins.
  2. 2. Write to the SPI_CR1 register:
    1. a) Configure the serial clock baud rate using the BR[2:0] bits (Note: 4).
    2. b) Configure the CPOL and CPHA bits combination to define one of the four relationships between the data transfer and the serial clock (CPHA must be cleared in NSSP mode). (Note: 2 - except the case when CRC is enabled at TI mode).
    3. c) Select simplex or half-duplex mode by configuring RXONLY or BIDIMODE and BIDIOE (RXONLY and BIDIMODE cannot be set at the same time).
    4. d) Configure the LSBFIRST bit to define the frame format (Note: 2).
    5. e) Configure the CRCL and CRCEN bits if CRC is needed (while SCK clock signal is at idle state).
    6. f) Configure SSM and SSI (Notes: 2 & 3).
    7. g) Configure the MSTR bit (in multimaster NSS configuration, avoid conflict state on NSS if master is configured to prevent MODF error).
  3. 3. Write to SPI_CR2 register:
    1. a) Configure the DS[3:0] bits to select the data length for the transfer.
    2. b) Configure SSOE (Notes: 1 & 2 & 3).
    3. c) Set the FRF bit if the TI protocol is required (keep NSSP bit cleared in TI mode).
    4. d) Set the NSSP bit if the NSS pulse mode between two data units is required (keep CHPA and TI bits cleared in NSSP mode).
    5. e) Configure the FRXTH bit. The RXFIFO threshold must be aligned to the read access size for the SPIx_DR register.
    6. f) Initialize LDMA_TX and LDMA_RX bits if DMA is used in packed mode.
  4. 4. Write to SPI_CRCPR register: Configure the CRC polynomial if needed.
  5. 5. Write proper DMA registers: Configure DMA streams dedicated for SPI Tx and Rx in DMA registers if the DMA streams are used.
  1. Note:
    • (1) Step is not required in slave mode.
    • (2) Step is not required in TI mode.
    • (3) Step is not required in NSSP mode.
    • (4) The step is not required in slave mode except slave working at TI mode

37.5.8 Procedure for enabling SPI

It is recommended to enable the SPI slave before the master sends the clock. If not, undesired data transmission might occur. The data register of the slave 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.

The master at full-duplex (or in any transmit-only mode) starts to communicate when the SPI is enabled and TXFIFO is not empty, or with the next write to TXFIFO.

In any master receive only mode (RXONLY = 1 or BIDIMODE = 1 & BIDIOE = 0), master starts to communicate and the clock starts running immediately after SPI is enabled.

For handling DMA, follow the dedicated section.

37.5.9 Data transmission and reception procedures

RXFIFO and TXFIFO

All SPI data transactions pass through the 32-bit embedded FIFOs. This enables the SPI to work in a continuous flow, and prevents overruns when the data frame size is short. Each direction has its own FIFO called TXFIFO and RXFIFO. These FIFOs are used in all SPI modes except for receiver-only mode (slave or master) with CRC calculation enabled (see Section 37.5.14: CRC calculation ).

The handling of FIFOs depends on the data exchange mode (duplex, simplex), data frame format (number of bits in the frame), access size performed on the FIFO data registers (8-bit or 16-bit), and whether or not data packing is used when accessing the FIFOs (see Section 37.5.13: TI mode ).

A read access to the SPIx_DR register returns the oldest value stored in RXFIFO that has not been read yet. A write access to the SPIx_DR stores the written data in the TXFIFO at the end of a send queue. The read access must be always aligned with the RXFIFO threshold configured by the FRXTH bit in SPIx_CR2 register. FTLVL[1:0] and FRLVL[1:0] bits indicate the current occupancy level of both FIFOs.

A read access to the SPIx_DR register must be managed by the RXNE event. This event is triggered when data is stored in RXFIFO and the threshold (defined by FRXTH bit) is reached. When RXNE is cleared, RXFIFO is considered to be empty. In a similar way, write access of a data frame to be transmitted is managed by the TXE event. This event is triggered when the TXFIFO level is less than or equal to half of its capacity. Otherwise TXE is cleared and the TXFIFO is considered as full. In this way, RXFIFO can store up to four data frames, whereas TXFIFO can only store up to three when the data frame format is not greater than 8 bits. This difference prevents possible corruption of 3x 8-bit data frames already stored in the TXFIFO when software tries to write more data in 16-bit mode into TXFIFO. Both TXE and RXNE events can be polled or handled by interrupts. See Figure 357 through Figure 360 .

Another way to manage the data exchange is to use DMA (see Communication using DMA (direct memory addressing) ).

If the next data is received when the RXFIFO is full, an overrun event occurs (see description of OVR flag at Section 37.5.10: SPI status flags ). An overrun event can be polled or handled by an interrupt.

The BSY bit being set indicates ongoing transaction of a current data frame. When the clock signal runs continuously, the BSY flag stays set between data frames at master but becomes low for a minimum duration of one SPI clock at slave between each data frame transfer.

Sequence handling

A few data frames can be passed at single sequence to complete a message. When transmission is enabled, a sequence begins and continues while any data is present in the TXFIFO of the master. The clock signal is provided continuously by the master until TXFIFO becomes empty, then it stops waiting for additional data.

In receive-only modes, half-duplex (BIDIMODE=1, BIDIOE=0) or simplex (BIDIMODE=0, RXONLY=1) the master starts the sequence immediately when both SPI is enabled and receive-only mode is activated. The clock signal is provided by the master and it does not stop until either SPI or 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 master or slave in SPI mode, and data from the slave is always transacted and processed by the master even if the slave could not prepare it 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 a single slave system it is not necessary to control the slave with NSS, but it is often better to provide the pulse here too, to synchronize the slave with the beginning of each data sequence. NSS can be managed by both software and hardware (see Section 37.5.5: Slave select (NSS) pin management ).

When the BSY bit is set it signifies an ongoing data frame transaction. When the dedicated frame transaction is finished, the RXNE flag is raised. The last bit is just sampled and the complete data frame is stored in the RXFIFO.

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. Special care must be taken in packing mode when an odd number of data frames are transacted to prevent some dummy byte exchange (refer to Data packing section). Before the SPI is disabled in these modes, the user must follow standard disable procedure. When

the SPI is disabled at the master transmitter while a frame transaction is ongoing or next data frame is stored in TXFIFO, the SPI behavior is not guaranteed.

When the master is in any receive only mode, the only way to stop the continuous clock is to disable the peripheral by SPE=0. This must occur in specific time window within last data frame transaction just between the sampling time of its first bit and before its last bit transfer starts (in order to receive a complete number of expected data frames and to prevent any additional “dummy” data reading after the last valid data frame). Specific procedure must be followed when disabling SPI in this mode.

Data received but not read remains stored in RXFIFO when the SPI is disabled, and must be processed the next time the SPI is enabled, before starting a new sequence. To prevent having unread data, ensure that RXFIFO is empty when disabling the SPI, by using the correct disabling procedure, or by initializing all the SPI registers with a software reset via the control of a specific register dedicated to peripheral reset (see the SPIIRST bits in the RCC_APBIRSTR registers).

Standard disable procedure is based on pulling BSY status together with FTLVL[1:0] 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:

The correct disable procedure is (except when receive only mode is used):

  1. 1. Wait until FTLVL[1:0] = 00 (no more data to transmit).
  2. 2. Wait until BSY=0 (the last data frame is processed).
  3. 3. Disable the SPI (SPE=0).
  4. 4. Read data until FRLVL[1:0] = 00 (read all the received data).

The correct disable procedure for certain receive only modes is:

  1. 1. Interrupt the receive flow by disabling SPI (SPE=0) in the specific time window while the last data frame is ongoing.
  2. 2. Wait until BSY=0 (the last data frame is processed).
  3. 3. Read data until FRLVL[1:0] = 00 (read all the received data).

Note: If packing mode is used and an odd number of data frames with a format less than or equal to 8 bits (fitting into one byte) has to be received, FRXTH must be set when FRLVL[1:0] = 01, in order to generate the RXNE event to read the last odd data frame and to keep good FIFO pointer alignment.

Data packing

When the data frame size fits into one byte (less than or equal to 8 bits), data packing is used automatically when any read or write 16-bit access is performed on the SPIx_DR register. The double data frame pattern is handled in parallel in this case. At first, the SPI operates using the pattern stored in the LSB of the accessed word, then with the other half stored in the MSB. Figure 356 provides an example of data packing mode sequence handling. Two data frames are sent after the single 16-bit access the SPIx_DR register of the transmitter. This sequence can generate just one RXNE event in the receiver if the RXFIFO threshold is set to 16 bits (FRXTH=0). The receiver then has to access both data frames by a single 16-bit read of SPIx_DR as a response to this single RXNE event. The

RxFIFO threshold setting and the following read access must be always kept aligned at the receiver side, as data can be lost if it is not in line.

A specific problem appears if an odd number of such “fit into one byte” data frames must be handled. On the transmitter side, writing the last data frame of any odd sequence with an 8-bit access to SPIx_DR is enough. The receiver has to change the Rx_FIFO threshold level for the last data frame received in the odd sequence of frames in order to generate the RXNE event.

Figure 356. Packing data in FIFO for transmission and reception

Figure 356: Packing data in FIFO for transmission and reception. The diagram shows the internal structure of an SPI interface. On the left, the TXFIFO is being filled with data from the SPIx_DR register. The SPIx_DR register contains two 16-bit values: 0x04 and 0x0A. The TXFIFO contains three entries: 0x0A, 0x04, and an empty slot. The SPI fsm & shift block takes data from the TXFIFO and sends it over the MOSI line. The MOSI line shows two 8-bit frames: 0x0A and 0x04. The RXFIFO receives data from the MOSI line. The RXFIFO contains two entries: 0x0A and 0x04. The SPIx_DR register on the right contains two 16-bit values: 0x04 and 0x0A. The diagram is labeled with '16-bit access when write to data register SPIx_DR= 0x040A when TxE=1' and '16-bit access when read from data register SPIx_DR= 0x040A when RxNE=1'. The reference MS19590V1 is also present.
Figure 356: Packing data in FIFO for transmission and reception. The diagram shows the internal structure of an SPI interface. On the left, the TXFIFO is being filled with data from the SPIx_DR register. The SPIx_DR register contains two 16-bit values: 0x04 and 0x0A. The TXFIFO contains three entries: 0x0A, 0x04, and an empty slot. The SPI fsm & shift block takes data from the TXFIFO and sends it over the MOSI line. The MOSI line shows two 8-bit frames: 0x0A and 0x04. The RXFIFO receives data from the MOSI line. The RXFIFO contains two entries: 0x0A and 0x04. The SPIx_DR register on the right contains two 16-bit values: 0x04 and 0x0A. The diagram is labeled with '16-bit access when write to data register SPIx_DR= 0x040A when TxE=1' and '16-bit access when read from data register SPIx_DR= 0x040A when RxNE=1'. The reference MS19590V1 is also present.
  1. 1. In this example: Data size DS[3:0] is 4-bit configured, CPOL=0, CPHA=1 and LSBFIRST =0. The Data storage is always right aligned while the valid bits are performed on the bus only, the content of LSB byte goes first on the bus, the unused bits are not taken into account on the transmitter side and padded by zeros at the receiver side.

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 TXDMAEN or RXDMAEN enable bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set. Separate requests must be issued to the Tx and Rx buffers.

See Figure 357 through Figure 360 .

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 FTLVL[1:0]=00 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. 1. Enable DMA Rx buffer in the RXDMAEN bit in the SPI_CR2 register, if DMA Rx is used.
  2. 2. Enable DMA streams for Tx and Rx in DMA registers, if the streams are used.
  3. 3. Enable DMA Tx buffer in the TXDMAEN bit in the SPI_CR2 register, if DMA Tx is used.
  4. 4. Enable the SPI by setting the SPE bit.

To close communication it is mandatory to follow these steps in order:

  1. 1. Disable DMA streams for Tx and Rx in the DMA registers, if the streams are used.
  2. 2. Disable the SPI by following the SPI disable procedure.
  3. 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.

Packing with DMA

If the transfers are managed by DMA (TXDMAEN and RXDMAEN set in the SPIx_CR2 register) packing mode is enabled/disabled automatically depending on the PSIZE value configured for SPI TX and the SPI RX DMA channel. If the DMA channel PSIZE value is equal to 16-bit and SPI data size is less than or equal to 8-bit, then packing mode is enabled. The DMA then automatically manages the write operations to the SPIx_DR register.

If data packing mode is used and the number of data to transfer is not a multiple of two, the LDMA_TX/LDMA_RX bits must be set. The SPI then considers only one data for the transmission or reception to serve the last DMA transfer (for more details refer to Data packing on page 1254. )

Communication diagrams

Some typical timing schemes are explained in this section. These schemes are valid no matter if the SPI events are handled by polling, interrupts or DMA. For simplicity, the LSBFIRST=0, CPOL=0 and CPHA=1 setting is used as a common assumption here. No complete configuration of DMA streams is provided.

The following numbered notes are common for Figure 357 on page 1258 through Figure 360 on page 1261 :

  1. 1. The slave starts to control MISO line as NSS is active and SPI is enabled, and is disconnected from the line when one of them is released. Sufficient time must be provided for the slave to prepare data dedicated to the master in advance before its transaction starts.
    At the master, the SPI peripheral takes control at MOSI and SCK signals (occasionally at NSS signal as well) only if SPI is enabled. If SPI is disabled the SPI peripheral is disconnected from GPIO logic, so the levels at these lines depends on GPIO setting exclusively.
  2. 2. At the master, BSY stays active between frames if the communication (clock signal) is continuous. At the slave, BSY signal always goes down for at least one clock cycle between data frames.
  3. 3. The TXE signal is cleared only if TXFIFO is full.
  4. 4. The DMA arbitration process starts just after the TXDMAEN bit is set. The TXE interrupt is generated just after the TXEIE is set. As the TXE signal is at an active level, data transfers to TxFIFO start, until TxFIFO becomes full or the DMA transfer completes.
  5. 5. If all the data to be sent can fit into TxFIFO, the DMA Tx TCIF flag can be raised even before communication on the SPI bus starts. This flag always rises before the SPI transaction is completed.
  6. 6. The CRC value for a package is calculated continuously frame by frame in the SPIx_TXCRCR and SPIx_RXCRCR registers. The CRC information is processed after the entire data package has completed, either automatically by DMA (Tx channel must be set to the number of data frames to be processed) or by SW (the user must handle CRCNEXT bit during the last data frame processing).
    While the CRC value calculated in SPIx_TXCRCR is simply sent out by transmitter, received CRC information is loaded into RxFIFO and then compared with the SPIx_RXCRCR register content (CRC error flag can be raised here if any difference). This is why the user must take care to flush this information from the FIFO, either by software reading out all the stored content of RxFIFO, or by DMA when the proper number of data frames is preset for Rx channel (number of data frames + number of CRC frames) (see the settings at the example assumption).
  7. 7. In data packed mode, TxE and RxNE events are paired and each read/write access to the FIFO is 16 bits wide until the number of data frames are even. If the TxFIFO is \( \frac{3}{4} \) full FTLVL status stays at FIFO full level. That is why the last odd data frame cannot be stored before the TxFIFO becomes \( \frac{1}{2} \) full. This frame is stored into TxFIFO with an 8-bit access either by software or automatically by DMA when LDMA_TX control is set.
  8. 8. To receive the last odd data frame in packed mode, the Rx threshold must be changed to 8-bit when the last data frame is processed, either by software setting FRXTH=1 or automatically by a DMA internal signal when LDMA_RX is set.

Figure 357. Master full-duplex communication

Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication showing signals NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL over time. It illustrates the sequence of data frames (DTx1, DTx2, DTx3) and received data (DRx1, DRx2, DRx3) with MSB and LSB markers. Control signals like TXE and RXNE are shown toggling. DMA/TICF events are indicated at the bottom.

The diagram illustrates the timing for master full-duplex communication. The signals shown are:

Key events and annotations:

Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication showing signals NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL over time. It illustrates the sequence of data frames (DTx1, DTx2, DTx3) and received data (DRx1, DRx2, DRx3) with MSB and LSB markers. Control signals like TXE and RXNE are shown toggling. DMA/TICF events are indicated at the bottom.

Assumptions for master full-duplex communication example:

If DMA is used:

See also : Communication diagrams on page 1257 for details about common assumptions and notes.

Figure 358. Slave full-duplex communication

Timing diagram for slave full-duplex communication showing signal transitions and data flow for NSS, SCK, BSY, MISO, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MOSI, RXNE, and FRLVL signals over three data frames.

The diagram illustrates the timing for slave full-duplex communication. The signals shown are:

Control signals and events shown:

Reference: MSv32123V2

Timing diagram for slave full-duplex communication showing signal transitions and data flow for NSS, SCK, BSY, MISO, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MOSI, RXNE, and FRLVL signals over three data frames.

Assumptions for slave full-duplex communication example:

If DMA is used:

See also Communication diagrams on page 1257 for details about common assumptions and notes.

Figure 359. Master full-duplex communication with CRC

Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication with CRC. It shows the relationship between NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL signals. Data frames (DTx1, DTx2, DRx1, DRx2, CRC) are shown being transmitted and received. Numbered circles 1-6 indicate key events: 1. RXNE goes high when DRx1 is ready; 2. BSY goes high when the first data frame is loaded; 3. TXE goes high when DTx1 is ready for loading; 4. First falling edge of SCK; 5. DMA Tx TICF goes high after the last data frame is transmitted; 6. DMA Rx TICF goes high after the last data frame is received. Annotations show DMA or software control for Tx and Rx events, and FTLVL/FRLVL register values (00, 10, 11).
Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication with CRC. It shows the relationship between NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL signals. Data frames (DTx1, DTx2, DRx1, DRx2, CRC) are shown being transmitted and received. Numbered circles 1-6 indicate key events: 1. RXNE goes high when DRx1 is ready; 2. BSY goes high when the first data frame is loaded; 3. TXE goes high when DTx1 is ready for loading; 4. First falling edge of SCK; 5. DMA Tx TICF goes high after the last data frame is transmitted; 6. DMA Rx TICF goes high after the last data frame is received. Annotations show DMA or software control for Tx and Rx events, and FTLVL/FRLVL register values (00, 10, 11).

Assumptions for master full-duplex communication with CRC example:

If DMA is used:

See also : Communication diagrams on page 1257 for details about common assumptions and notes.

Figure 360. Master full-duplex communication in packed mode

Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication in packed mode. The diagram shows the relationship between NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL signals over time. The MOSI line shows transmitted data (DTx1-2, DTx3-4, DTx5) and the MISO line shows received data (DRx1-2, DRx3-4, DRx5). The FTLVL and FRLVL lines show the fill level of the transmit and receive FIFOs, respectively. The diagram is annotated with numbered circles (1-8) and text labels indicating DMA and software control events.

The diagram illustrates the timing for master full-duplex communication in packed mode. The signals shown are:

Other annotations include:

Timing diagram for master full-duplex communication in packed mode. The diagram shows the relationship between NSS, SCK, BSY, MOSI, SPE, TXE, FTLVL, MISO, RXNE, and FRLVL signals over time. The MOSI line shows transmitted data (DTx1-2, DTx3-4, DTx5) and the MISO line shows received data (DRx1-2, DRx3-4, DRx5). The FTLVL and FRLVL lines show the fill level of the transmit and receive FIFOs, respectively. The diagram is annotated with numbered circles (1-8) and text labels indicating DMA and software control events.

Assumptions for master full-duplex communication in packed mode example:

If DMA is used:

See also : Communication diagrams on page 1257 for details about common assumptions and notes.

37.5.10 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)

The TXE flag is set when transmission TXFIFO has enough space to store data to send. TXE flag is linked to the TXFIFO level. The flag goes high and stays high until the TXFIFO level is lower or equal to 1/2 of the FIFO depth. An interrupt can be generated if the TXEIE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set. The bit is cleared automatically when the TXFIFO level becomes greater than 1/2.

Rx buffer not empty (RXNE)

The RXNE flag is set depending on the FRXTH bit value in the SPIx_CR2 register:

An interrupt can be generated if the RXNEIE bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set.

The RXNE is cleared by hardware automatically when the above conditions are no longer true.

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).

The BSY flag can be used in certain modes to detect the end of a transfer so that the software can disable the SPI or its peripheral clock before entering a low-power mode which does not provide a clock for the peripheral. This avoids corrupting the last transfer.

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:

Note: When the next transmission can be handled immediately by the master (e.g. if the master is in Receive-only mode or its Transmit FIFO is not empty), communication is continuous and the BSY flag remains set to '1' between transfers on the master side. Although this is not the case with a slave, it is recommended to use always the TXE and RXNE flags (instead of the BSY flags) to handle data transmission or reception operations.

37.5.11 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 data is received by a master or slave and the RXFIFO has not enough space to store this received data. This can happen if the software or the DMA did not have enough time to read the previously received data (stored in the RXFIFO) or when space for data storage is limited e.g. the RXFIFO is not available when CRC is enabled in receive only mode so in this case the reception buffer is limited into a single data frame buffer (see Section 37.5.14: CRC calculation ).

When an overrun condition occurs, the newly received value does not overwrite the previous one in the RXFIFO. The newly received value is discarded and all data transmitted subsequently is 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:

Use the following software sequence to clear the MODF bit:

  1. 1. Make a read or write access to the SPIx_SR register while the MODF bit is set.
  2. 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_RXCRCR 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 reinitiated by the master when the slave SPI is enabled again.

37.5.12 NSS pulse mode

This mode is activated by the NSSP bit in the SPIx_CR2 register and it takes effect only if the SPI interface is configured as Motorola SPI master (FRF=0) with capture on the first edge (SPIx_CR1 CPHA = 0, CPOL setting is ignored). When activated, an NSS pulse is generated between two consecutive data frame transfers when NSS stays at high level for the duration of one clock period at least. This mode allows the slave to latch data. NSSP pulse mode is designed for applications with a single master-slave pair.

Figure 361 illustrates NSS pin management when NSSP pulse mode is enabled.

Figure 361. NSSP pulse generation in Motorola SPI master mode

Timing diagram for NSSP pulse generation in Motorola SPI master mode. The diagram shows four signals: NSS output, SCK output, MOSI output, and MISO input. The NSS output is high before the first SCK edge and goes low at the first SCK edge. It returns high after the last SCK edge of a frame and goes low again at the next SCK edge. The SCK output is a continuous square wave. The MOSI output shows data frames (MSB and LSB) being transmitted. The MISO input shows 'Do not care' periods at the beginning and end of each frame, and 'MSB' and 'LSB' periods in between. Sampling edges are marked on the SCK signal. The duration of each frame is 4-bits to 16-bits. The diagram is labeled 'Master continuous transfer (CPOL = 1; CPHA = 0; NSSP= 1)' and 'MS19838V1'.

Master continuous transfer (CPOL = 1; CPHA = 0; NSSP= 1)

MS19838V1

Timing diagram for NSSP pulse generation in Motorola SPI master mode. The diagram shows four signals: NSS output, SCK output, MOSI output, and MISO input. The NSS output is high before the first SCK edge and goes low at the first SCK edge. It returns high after the last SCK edge of a frame and goes low again at the next SCK edge. The SCK output is a continuous square wave. The MOSI output shows data frames (MSB and LSB) being transmitted. The MISO input shows 'Do not care' periods at the beginning and end of each frame, and 'MSB' and 'LSB' periods in between. Sampling edges are marked on the SCK signal. The duration of each frame is 4-bits to 16-bits. The diagram is labeled 'Master continuous transfer (CPOL = 1; CPHA = 0; NSSP= 1)' and 'MS19838V1'.

Note: Similar behavior is encountered when CPOL = 0. In this case the sampling edge is the rising edge of SCK, and NSS assertion and deassertion refer to this sampling edge.

37.5.13 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 362). 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 ( \( t_{release} \) ) 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:

\[ \frac{t_{\text{baud\_rate}}}{2} + 4 \times t_{\text{pclk}} < t_{\text{release}} < \frac{t_{\text{baud\_rate}}}{2} + 6 \times t_{\text{pclk}} \]

If the slave detects a misplaced NSS pulse during a data frame transaction the TIFRE flag is set.

If the data size is equal to 4-bits or 5-bits, the master in full-duplex mode or transmit-only mode uses a protocol with one more dummy data bit added after LSB. TI NSS pulse is generated above this dummy bit clock cycle instead of the LSB in each period.

This feature is not available for Motorola SPI communications (FRF bit set to 0).

Figure 362: TI mode transfer shows the SPI communication waveforms when TI mode is selected.

Figure 362. TI mode transfer

Timing diagram for TI mode transfer showing waveforms for NSS, SCK, MOSI, and MISO signals. The diagram illustrates two frames (FRAME 1 and FRAME 2) with data bits (MSB, LSB) and control signals (trigger, sampling). The release time (t_RELEASE) is also indicated.

The diagram shows the timing for TI mode transfer. The signals are:

The diagram is divided into two frames: FRAME 1 and FRAME 2 . The time interval between the rising edge of the NSS pulse and the start of the data transfer is labeled t RELEASE . The source code 'MS19835V2' is visible in the bottom right corner.

Timing diagram for TI mode transfer showing waveforms for NSS, SCK, MOSI, and MISO signals. The diagram illustrates two frames (FRAME 1 and FRAME 2) with data bits (MSB, LSB) and control signals (trigger, sampling). The release time (t_RELEASE) is also indicated.

37.5.14 CRC calculation

Two separate CRC calculators are implemented in order to check the reliability of transmitted and received data. The SPI offers CRC8 or CRC16 calculation independently of the frame data length, which can be fixed to 8-bit or 16-bit. For all the other data frame lengths, no CRC is available.

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 follows 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 RXFIFO like a data byte or word. That is why in CRC mode only, the reception buffer has to be considered as a single 16-bit buffer used to receive only one data frame at a time.

A CRC-format transaction usually takes one more data frame to communicate at the end of data sequence. However, when setting an 8-bit data frame checked by 16-bit CRC, two more frames are necessary to send the complete CRC.

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 RXFIFO 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 received CRC information from RXFIFO as it is always loaded into it. In full-duplex mode, the counter of the reception DMA channel can be set to the number of data frames to receive including the CRC, which means, for example, in the specific case of an 8-bit data frame checked by 16-bit CRC:

\[ \text{DMA\_RX} = \text{Numb\_of\_data} + 2 \]

In receive only mode, the DMA reception channel counter should contain only the amount of data transferred, excluding the CRC calculation. Then based on the complete transfer from DMA, all the CRC values must be read back by software from FIFO as it works as a single buffer in this mode.

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.

If packing mode is used, the LDMA_RX bit needs managing if the number of data is odd.

Resetting the SPIx_TXCRC and SPIx_RXCRC values

The SPIx_TXCRC and SPIx_RXCRC values are cleared automatically when new data is sampled after a CRC phase. This allows the use of DMA circular mode (not available in receive-only mode) in order to transfer data without any interruption, (several data blocks covered by intermediate CRC checking phases).

If the SPI is disabled during a communication the following sequence must be followed:

  1. 1. Disable the SPI
  2. 2. Clear the CRCEN bit
  3. 3. Enable the CRCEN bit
  4. 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. That is why the CRC calculation cannot be used at NSS Pulse mode when NSS hardware mode should be applied at slave normally.

At TI mode, despite the fact that clock phase and clock polarity setting is fixed and independent on 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 SPI disable sequence with re-enable the CRCEN bit described above at both master and slave side, else CRC calculation can be corrupted at this specific mode.

37.6 SPI interrupts

During SPI communication an interrupt can be generated by the following events:

Interrupts can be enabled and disabled separately.

Table 261. SPI interrupt requests

Interrupt eventEvent flagEnable Control bit
Transmit TXFIFO ready to be loadedTXETXEIE
Data received in RXFIFORXNERXNEIE
Master Mode fault eventMODFERRIE
Overrun errorOVR
TI frame format errorFRE
CRC protocol errorCRCERR

37.7 I2S functional description

37.7.1 I2S general description

The block diagram of the I2S is shown in Figure 363 .

Figure 363. I2S block diagram

Detailed block diagram of the I2S interface showing internal components like Tx buffer, Shift register, Rx buffer, Master control logic, SPI baud rate generator, and I2S clock generator, along with various control registers and external pin connections (MOSI/SD, MISO, NSS/WS, CK, MCK).

The diagram illustrates the internal architecture of the I2S interface. At the top, an 'Address and data bus' connects to a 'Tx buffer' and a 'Shift register'. The 'Tx buffer' is a 16-bit register with status flags: BSY, OVR, MODF, CRC ERR, UDR, CH SIDE, TxE, RxNE, and FRE. Data is transferred from the Tx buffer through the Shift register (also 16-bit) to the MOSI/SD pin. The Shift register has an 'LSB first' configuration. The Rx buffer receives data from the MISO pin through the Shift register. The 'Master control logic' block manages the interface and is connected to several control registers: I2SCFG [1:0], I2SSTD [1:0], CK POL, DATLEN [1:0], CH LEN, I2S MOD, and I2SE. It also connects to SPI control registers: Bidi mode, Bidi OE, CRC EN, CRC Next, DFF, Rx only, SSM, SSI, LSB First, SPE, BR2, BR1, BR0, MSTR, CPOL, and CPHA. The 'SPI baud rate generator' provides the clock signal for the SPI/I2S interface. The 'I2S clock generator' is connected to the CK pin and the I2S_CK pin. It has control registers: MCKOE, ODD, and I2SDIV[7:0]. The I2S_CK pin is connected to the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register. The MCK pin is connected to the MCKOE bit in the I2S_CK register. The diagram also shows external pin connections: MOSI/SD, MISO, NSS/WS, CK, and MCK. The MCK pin is mapped on the MISO pin.

Detailed block diagram of the I2S interface showing internal components like Tx buffer, Shift register, Rx buffer, Master control logic, SPI baud rate generator, and I2S clock generator, along with various control registers and external pin connections (MOSI/SD, MISO, NSS/WS, CK, MCK).
  1. 1. MCK is mapped on the MISO pin.

The SPI can function as an audio I2S interface when the I2S 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 I2S shares three common pins with the SPI:

An additional pin can be used when a master clock output is needed for some external audio devices:

The I2S 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 I2S 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 I2S uses the same SPI register for data transfer (SPIx_DR) in 16-bit wide mode.

37.7.2 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:

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 364. I 2 S Philips protocol waveforms (16/32-bit full accuracy)

Timing diagram for I2S Philips protocol showing CK, WS, and SD signals. The diagram illustrates transmission and reception phases. The SD signal shows data bits with MSB and LSB labels. The WS signal is active low. The CK signal is a square wave. The diagram is labeled 'Can be 16-bit or 32-bit' and 'Channel left' and 'Channel right'. The reference code MS19591V1 is in the bottom right corner.
Timing diagram for I2S Philips protocol showing CK, WS, and SD signals. The diagram illustrates transmission and reception phases. The SD signal shows data bits with MSB and LSB labels. The WS signal is active low. The CK signal is a square wave. The diagram is labeled 'Can be 16-bit or 32-bit' and 'Channel left' and 'Channel right'. The reference code MS19591V1 is in the bottom right corner.

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 365. I 2 S Philips standard waveforms (24-bit frame)

Timing diagram for I2S Philips standard waveforms (24-bit frame). It shows CK, WS, and SD signals. The SD signal is divided into '24-bit data' and '8-bit remaining 0 forced'. The WS signal is active low. The CK signal is a square wave. The diagram is labeled 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right'. The reference code MS19592V1 is in the bottom right corner.
Timing diagram for I2S Philips standard waveforms (24-bit frame). It shows CK, WS, and SD signals. The SD signal is divided into '24-bit data' and '8-bit remaining 0 forced'. The WS signal is active low. The CK signal is a square wave. The diagram is labeled 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right'. The reference code MS19592V1 is in the bottom right corner.

This mode needs two write or read operations to/from the SPIx_DR register.

Figure 366. Transmitting 0x8EAA33

Diagram showing two writes to a Data register. The first write is 0x8EAA and the second is 0x33XX. A note indicates that only the 8 MSBs are sent to compare the 24 bits, and the 8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything. MS19593V2

First write to Data register

0x8EAA

Second write to Data register

0x33XX

Only the 8 MSBs are sent to compare the 24 bits. 8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything

MS19593V2

Diagram showing two writes to a Data register. The first write is 0x8EAA and the second is 0x33XX. A note indicates that only the 8 MSBs are sent to compare the 24 bits, and the 8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything. MS19593V2

Figure 367. Receiving 0x8EAA33

Diagram showing two reads from a Data register. The first read is 0x8EAA and the second is 0x33XX. A note indicates that only the 8 MSBs are sent to compare the 24 bits, and the 8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything. MS19594V1

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

Diagram showing two reads from a Data register. The first read is 0x8EAA and the second is 0x33XX. A note indicates that only the 8 MSBs are sent to compare the 24 bits, and the 8 LSBs have no meaning and can be anything. MS19594V1

Figure 368. I 2 S Philips standard (16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame)

Timing diagram for I2S Philips standard showing CK, WS, and SD signals. It illustrates the transmission of a 16-bit data frame extended to a 32-bit channel frame. The first 16 bits are the actual data (MSB to LSB), and the remaining 16 bits are forced to 0. The diagram is divided into 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right' sections. MS19599V1

CK

WS

SD

Transmission

Reception

16-bit data

16-bit remaining 0 forced

MSB

LSB

Channel left 32-bit

Channel right

MS19599V1

Timing diagram for I2S Philips standard showing CK, WS, and SD signals. It illustrates the transmission of a 16-bit data frame extended to a 32-bit channel frame. The first 16 bits are the actual data (MSB to LSB), and the remaining 16 bits are forced to 0. The diagram is divided into 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right' sections. MS19599V1

When 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame is selected during the I2S 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 369 is required.

Figure 369. Example of 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame

Diagram showing a single access to the SPIx_DR register with the value 0x76A3. MS19595V1

Only one access to SPIx_DR

0x76A3

MS19595V1

Diagram showing a single access to the SPIx_DR register with the value 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 MSB.

Figure 370. MSB Justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy length

Timing diagram for MSB Justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy length. It shows three waveforms: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS signal is a pulse that goes high at the start of the transmission and goes low at the start of the reception. The SD signal shows a sequence of bits. The first bit is labeled MSB, and the last bit of the first half is labeled LSB. The data is divided into two halves: 'Channel left' and 'Channel right'. The first half is labeled '16- or 32-bit data'. The diagram is labeled MS30100 V1.
Timing diagram for MSB Justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy length. It shows three waveforms: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS signal is a pulse that goes high at the start of the transmission and goes low at the start of the reception. The SD signal shows a sequence of bits. The first bit is labeled MSB, and the last bit of the first half is labeled LSB. The data is divided into two halves: 'Channel left' and 'Channel right'. The first half is labeled '16- or 32-bit data'. The diagram is labeled MS30100 V1.

Data are latched on the falling edge of CK (for transmitter) and are read on the rising edge (for the receiver).

Figure 371. MSB justified 24-bit frame length

Timing diagram for MSB justified 24-bit frame length. It shows three waveforms: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS signal is a pulse that goes high at the start of the transmission and goes low at the start of the reception. The SD signal shows a sequence of bits. The first bit is labeled MSB, and the last bit of the first half is labeled LSB. The data is divided into two halves: 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right'. The first half is labeled '24 bit data'. The second half is labeled '8-bit remaining 0 forced'. The diagram is labeled MS30101V1.
Timing diagram for MSB justified 24-bit frame length. It shows three waveforms: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS signal is a pulse that goes high at the start of the transmission and goes low at the start of the reception. The SD signal shows a sequence of bits. The first bit is labeled MSB, and the last bit of the first half is labeled LSB. The data is divided into two halves: 'Channel left 32-bit' and 'Channel right'. The first half is labeled '24 bit data'. The second half is labeled '8-bit remaining 0 forced'. The diagram is labeled MS30101V1.

Figure 372. MSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame

Timing diagram for MSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 16 bits are '16-bit data' (MSB to LSB), and the next 16 bits are '16-bit remaining 0 forced'. The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left 32-bit', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30102V1.
Timing diagram for MSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 16 bits are '16-bit data' (MSB to LSB), and the next 16 bits are '16-bit remaining 0 forced'. The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left 32-bit', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30102V1.

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).

The sampling of the input and output signals is the same as for the I 2 S Philips standard.

Figure 373. LSB justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy

Timing diagram for LSB justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 16 bits are '16- or 32-bit data' (MSB to LSB), and the next 16 bits are '16- or 32-bit data' (MSB to LSB). The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30103V1.
Timing diagram for LSB justified 16-bit or 32-bit full-accuracy. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 16 bits are '16- or 32-bit data' (MSB to LSB), and the next 16 bits are '16- or 32-bit data' (MSB to LSB). The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30103V1.

Figure 374. LSB justified 24-bit frame length

Timing diagram for LSB justified 24-bit frame length. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 8 bits are '8-bit data 0 forced', and the next 24 bits are '24-bit remaining' (MSB to LSB). The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left 32-bit', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30104V1.
Timing diagram for LSB justified 24-bit frame length. It shows three signals: CK (clock), WS (word select), and SD (serial data). CK is a periodic square wave. WS is a square wave that is high during transmission and low during reception. SD shows a 32-bit packet frame. The first 8 bits are '8-bit data 0 forced', and the next 24 bits are '24-bit remaining' (MSB to LSB). The first 32 bits are labeled 'Channel left 32-bit', and the next 32 bits are labeled 'Channel right'. The diagram is labeled MS30104V1.

Figure 375. Operations required to transmit 0x3478AE

Diagram showing two write operations to the Data register for transmission. The first write is 0xxx34 and the second is 0x78AE. Text indicates only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant and 0x00 is forced for the MSBs.

First write to Data register conditioned by TXE=1

0xxx34

Only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant. A field of 0x00 is forced instead of the 8 MSBs.

Second write to Data register conditioned by TXE=1

0x78AE

MS19596V1

Diagram showing two write operations to the Data register for transmission. The first write is 0xxx34 and the second is 0x78AE. Text indicates only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant and 0x00 is forced for the MSBs.

Figure 376. Operations required to receive 0x3478AE

Diagram showing two read operations from the Data register for reception. The first read is 0xxx34 and the second is 0x78AE. Text indicates only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant and 0x00 is forced for the MSBs.

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

Diagram showing two read operations from the Data register for reception. The first read is 0xxx34 and the second is 0x78AE. Text indicates only the 8 LSB of the half-word are significant and 0x00 is forced for the MSBs.

Figure 377. LSB justified 16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame

Timing diagram showing CK, WS, and SD signals. It illustrates the transmission and reception of a 16-bit data frame extended to a 32-bit channel frame. The first 16 bits are '16-bit data 0 forced' and the next 16 bits are '16-bit remaining'. The first 16 bits correspond to the 'Channel left 32-bit' and the next 16 bits to the 'Channel right'. MSB and LSB markers are shown on the SD line.

CK

WS

SD

16-bit data 0 forced

MSB

16-bit remaining

LSB

Channel left 32-bit

Channel right

Transmission

Reception

MS30105V1

Timing diagram showing CK, WS, and SD signals. It illustrates the transmission and reception of a 16-bit data frame extended to a 32-bit channel frame. The first 16 bits are '16-bit data 0 forced' and the next 16 bits are '16-bit remaining'. The first 16 bits correspond to the 'Channel left 32-bit' and the next 16 bits to the 'Channel right'. MSB and LSB markers are shown on the SD line.

When 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame is selected during the I2S 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 378 is required.

Figure 378. Example of 16-bit data frame extended to 32-bit channel frame

Diagram showing a 16-bit data frame (0x76A3) being transmitted. The text 'Only one access to the SPIx-DR register' is above the data value. The identifier 'MS19598V1' is in the bottom right corner.

Only one access to the SPIx-DR register

0x76A3

MS19598V1

Diagram showing a 16-bit data frame (0x76A3) being transmitted. The text 'Only one access to the SPIx-DR register' is above the data value. The identifier 'MS19598V1' is in the bottom right corner.

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.

In PCM mode, the output signals (WS, SD) are sampled on the rising edge of CK signal. The input signals (WS, SD) are captured on the falling edge of CK.

Note that CK and WS are configured as output in MASTER mode.

Figure 379. PCM standard waveforms (16-bit)

Timing diagram for PCM standard waveforms (16-bit). It shows four signals: CK (clock), WS (word synchronization) for short and long frames, and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS short frame signal is a pulse that is high for one clock cycle. The WS long frame signal is a pulse that is high for 13 clock cycles. The SD signal shows a 16-bit data frame with MSB (Most Significant Bit) and LSB (Least Significant Bit) labels. The diagram is labeled MS30106V1 in the bottom right corner.

MS30106V1

Timing diagram for PCM standard waveforms (16-bit). It shows four signals: CK (clock), WS (word synchronization) for short and long frames, and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS short frame signal is a pulse that is high for one clock cycle. The WS long frame signal is a pulse that is high for 13 clock cycles. The SD signal shows a 16-bit data frame with MSB (Most Significant Bit) and LSB (Least Significant Bit) labels. The diagram is labeled MS30106V1 in the bottom right corner.

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 380. PCM standard waveforms (16-bit extended to 32-bit packet frame)

Figure 380: PCM standard waveforms showing CK, WS (short and long frames), and SD signals over time. The diagram illustrates the timing relationship between the clock (CK), word synchronization (WS), and serial data (SD) lines. The CK line shows a periodic square wave. The WS line shows a short frame and a long frame. The SD line shows a 16-bit data packet with MSB and LSB labels. The diagram is labeled MS30107V1.

The figure shows three signal waveforms over time: CK (clock), WS (word synchronization), and SD (serial data). The CK signal is a periodic square wave. The WS signal shows two frames: a 'short frame' and a 'long frame'. The SD signal shows a 16-bit data packet, with the MSB (Most Significant Bit) and LSB (Least Significant Bit) indicated. The diagram is labeled MS30107V1.

Figure 380: PCM standard waveforms showing CK, WS (short and long frames), and SD signals over time. The diagram illustrates the timing relationship between the clock (CK), word synchronization (WS), and serial data (SD) lines. The CK line shows a periodic square wave. The WS line shows a short frame and a long frame. The SD line shows a 16-bit data packet with MSB and LSB labels. The diagram is labeled MS30107V1.

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.

37.7.3 Start-up description

The Figure 381 shows how the serial interface is handled in MASTER mode, when the SPI/I2S is enabled (via I2SE bit). It shows as well the effect of CKPOL on the generated signals.

Figure 381. Start sequence in master mode

Timing diagrams for Master I2S Philips Standard, Master I2S MSB or LSB justified, Master PCM short frame, and Master PCM long frame. Each diagram shows the relationship between the Word Select (WS), Clock (CK), Serial Data (SD), and I2S Enable (I2SE) signals during the start of a data frame. The diagrams illustrate the phase relationship between WS and CK, and the alignment of the first data bit relative to the WS transition. In all cases, the first data bit is transmitted immediately after the WS transition. The 'dum' label indicates non-significant data.

Master I2S Philips Standard

WS (O)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 0 \)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 1 \)

SD (O)

I2SE

dum Left sample Right sample

Master I2S MSB or LSB justified

WS (O)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 0 \)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 1 \)

SD (O)

I2SE

dum Left sample Right sample

Master PCM short frame

WS (O)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 0 \)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 1 \)

SD (O)

I2SE

dum Sample1 Sample 2

Master PCM long frame

WS (O)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 0 \)

CK (O), \( CKPOL = 1 \)

SD (O)

I2SE

dum Sample1 Sample 2

dum: not significant data

MSV37520V2

Timing diagrams for Master I2S Philips Standard, Master I2S MSB or LSB justified, Master PCM short frame, and Master PCM long frame. Each diagram shows the relationship between the Word Select (WS), Clock (CK), Serial Data (SD), and I2S Enable (I2SE) signals during the start of a data frame. The diagrams illustrate the phase relationship between WS and CK, and the alignment of the first data bit relative to the WS transition. In all cases, the first data bit is transmitted immediately after the WS transition. The 'dum' label indicates non-significant data.

In slave mode, the way the frame synchronization is detected, depends on the value of ASTRTEN bit.

If ASTRTEN = 0, when the audio interface is enabled (I2SE = 1), then the hardware waits for the appropriate transition on the incoming WS signal, using the CK signal.

The appropriate transition is a falling edge on WS signal when I 2 S Philips Standard is used, or a rising edge for other standards. The falling edge is detected by sampling first WS to 1 and then to 0, and vice-versa for the rising edge detection.

If ASTRTEN = 1, the user has to enable the audio interface before the WS becomes active. This means that the I2SE bit must be set to 1 when WS = 1 for I 2 S Philips standard, or when WS = 0 for other standards.

37.7.4 Clock generator

The I 2 S bit rate determines the data flow on the I 2 S data line and the I 2 S clock signal frequency.

I 2 S bit rate = number of bits per channel × number of channels × sampling audio frequency

For a 16-bit audio, left and right channel, the I 2 S bit rate is calculated as follows:

\[ \text{I}^2\text{S bit rate} = 16 \times 2 \times f_s \]

It is: I 2 S bit rate = 32 × 2 × f s if the packet length is 32-bit wide.

Figure 382. Audio sampling frequency definition

Figure 382: Audio sampling frequency definition diagram. It shows two consecutive audio channels: a '16- or 32-bit left channel' followed by a '16- or 32-bit right channel'. A double-headed arrow labeled '32- or 64-bits' spans the duration of one full channel pair. Below this arrow, 'F_s' is indicated. Vertical lines with arrows at the start and end of the channel pair are labeled 'sampling point'. A note at the bottom states 'F_s : audio sampling frequency'. The diagram is labeled 'MS30108V1' in the bottom right corner.
Figure 382: Audio sampling frequency definition diagram. It shows two consecutive audio channels: a '16- or 32-bit left channel' followed by a '16- or 32-bit right channel'. A double-headed arrow labeled '32- or 64-bits' spans the duration of one full channel pair. Below this arrow, 'F_s' is indicated. Vertical lines with arrows at the start and end of the channel pair are labeled 'sampling point'. A note at the bottom states 'F_s : audio sampling frequency'. The diagram is labeled 'MS30108V1' in the bottom right corner.

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 383. I 2 S clock generator architecture

Figure 383: I2S clock generator architecture diagram. It shows a block diagram of the clock generator. An input 'I2SxCLK' enters a block labeled '8-bit linear divider + reshaping stage'. This block is connected to a register 'I2SDIV[7:0]' which has fields 'MCKOE', 'ODD', and 'I2SDIV[7:0]'. The output of the first divider goes to a 'Divider by 4' block, which then goes to a 'Div2' block. The output of 'Div2' goes to a multiplexer with inputs '0' and '1'. The multiplexer output is labeled 'CK'. Above the multiplexer is another multiplexer with inputs 'MCK' and 'CK', controlled by 'MCKOE'. The diagram is labeled 'MS30109V1' in the bottom right corner.
Figure 383: I2S clock generator architecture diagram. It shows a block diagram of the clock generator. An input 'I2SxCLK' enters a block labeled '8-bit linear divider + reshaping stage'. This block is connected to a register 'I2SDIV[7:0]' which has fields 'MCKOE', 'ODD', and 'I2SDIV[7:0]'. The output of the first divider goes to a 'Divider by 4' block, which then goes to a 'Div2' block. The output of 'Div2' goes to a multiplexer with inputs '0' and '1'. The multiplexer output is labeled 'CK'. Above the multiplexer is another multiplexer with inputs 'MCK' and 'CK', controlled by 'MCKOE'. The diagram is labeled 'MS30109V1' in the bottom right corner.
  1. 1. Where x can be 2 or 3.

Figure 383 presents the communication clock architecture. The I2SxCLK clock is provided by the reset and clock controller (RCC) of the product. The I2SxCLK clock can be asynchronous with respect to the SPI/I2S APB clock.


Warning: In addition, it is mandatory to keep the I2SxCLK frequency higher or equal to the APB clock used by the SPI/I2S block. If this condition is not respected the SPI/I2S does not work properly.


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:

For I 2 S modes:

When the master clock is generated (MCKOE in the SPIx_I2SPR register is set):

\[ F_S = \frac{F_{I2SxCLK}}{256 \times ((2 \times I2SDIV) + ODD)} \]

When the master clock is disabled (MCKOE bit cleared):

\[ F_S = \frac{F_{I2SxCLK}}{32 \times (CHLEN + 1) \times ((2 \times I2SDIV) + ODD)} \]

CHLEN = 0 when the channel frame is 16-bit wide and,

CHLEN = 1 when the channel frame is 32-bit wide.

For PCM modes:

When the master clock is generated (MCKOE in the SPIx_I2SPR register is set):

\[ F_S = \frac{F_{I2SxCLK}}{128 \times ((2 \times I2SDIV) + ODD)} \]

When the master clock is disabled (MCKOE bit cleared):

\[ F_S = \frac{F_{I2SxCLK}}{16 \times (CHLEN + 1) \times ((2 \times I2SDIV) + ODD)} \]

CHLEN = 0 when the channel frame is 16-bit wide and,

CHLEN = 1 when the channel frame is 32-bit wide.

Where \( F_S \) is the audio sampling frequency, and \( F_{I2SxCLK} \) is the frequency of the kernel clock provided to the SPI/I2S block.

Note: I2SDIV must be strictly higher than 1.

The following table provides example precision values for different clock configurations.

Note: Other configurations are possible that allow optimum clock precision.

Table 262. Audio-frequency precision using 48 MHz clock derived from HSE (1)

SYSCLOCK (MHz)Data lengthI2SDIVI2SODDMCLKTarget fs (Hz)Real fs (kHz)Error
481680No96000937502.3438%
483240No96000937502.3438%
4816151No4800048387.09680.8065%
483280No48000468752.3438%
4816170No4410044117.6470.0400%
483281No4410044117.6470.0400%
4816231No3200031914.89360.2660%
4832111No3200032608.6961.9022%
4816340No2205022058.82350.0400%
4832170No2205022058.82350.0400%
4816470No1600015957.44680.2660%
4832231No1600015957.4470.2660%
4816680No1102511029.41180.0400%
4832340No1102511029.4120.0400%
4816940No80007978.72340.2660%
4832470No80007978.72340.2660%
481620Yes48000468752.3430%
483220Yes48000468752.3430%
481620Yes44100468756.2925%
483220Yes44100468756.2925%
481630Yes32000312502.3438%
483230Yes32000312502.3438%
481641Yes2205020833.3335.5178%
483241Yes2205020833.3335.5178%
481660Yes16000156252.3438%
483260Yes16000156252.3438%
481681Yes1102511029.41180.0400%
483281Yes1102511029.41180.0400%
4816111Yes80008152.173911.9022%
4832111Yes80008152.173911.9022%
  1. 1. This table gives only example values for different clock configurations. Other configurations allowing optimum clock precision are possible.

37.7.5 I 2 S master mode

The I2S can be configured in master mode. 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. 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. 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 DAC/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 37.7.4: Clock generator ).
  3. 3. Set the I2SMOD bit in the SPIx_I2SCFGR register to activate the I2S 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. 4. If needed, select all the potential interrupt sources and the DMA capabilities by writing the SPIx_CR2 register.
  5. 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 37.7.2: 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 I2S, 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 37.7.5: 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 I2S cell.

For more details about the read operations depending on the I 2 S standard mode selected, refer to Section 37.7.2: 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 I2S, specific actions are required to ensure that the I2S 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:

Note: The BSY flag is kept low during transfers.

37.7.6 I 2 S slave mode

For the slave configuration, the I2S can be configured in transmission or reception mode. 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 I2S interface. The clock and WS signals are input from the external master connected to the I2S interface. There is then no need, for the user, to configure the clock.

The configuration steps to follow are listed below:

  1. 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. 2. If needed, select all the potential interrupt sources and the DMA capabilities by writing the SPIx_CR2 register.
  3. 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 I2S data register has to be loaded before the master initiates the communication.

For the I2S, 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 I2S 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 37.7.2: 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 ERRIE 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 I2S and to restart a data transfer starting from the left channel.

To switch off the I2S, 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 37.7.6: 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 37.7.2: 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 ERRIE is set in the SPIx_CR2 register, an interrupt is generated to indicate the error.

To switch off the I2S 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.

37.7.7 I2S status flags

Three status flags are provided for the application to fully monitor the state of the I2S 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 I2S.

When BSY is set, it indicates that the I2S 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 I2S. 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 I2S is in master receiver mode.

The BSY flag is cleared:

When communication is continuous:

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 I2S 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 I2S 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 I2S 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).

37.7.8 I2S error flags

There are three error flags for the I2S 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 I2S 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 I2S slave device:

  1. 1. Disable the I2S.
  2. 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 CK 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.

37.7.9 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.

37.8 I2S interrupts

Table 263 provides the list of I2S interrupts.

Table 263. I2S interrupt requests

Interrupt eventEvent flagEnable control bit
Transmit buffer empty flagTXETXEIE
Receive buffer not empty flagRXNERXNEIE
Overrun errorOVRERRIE
Underrun errorUDR
Frame error flagFRE

37.9 SPI and I2S registers

The peripheral registers can be accessed by half-words (16-bit) or words (32-bit). SPI_DR in addition can be accessed by 8-bit access.

37.9.1 SPI control register 1 (SPIx_CR1)

Address offset: 0x00

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
BIDI
MODE
BIDIOECRC
EN
CRCN
EXT
CRCLRX
ONLY
SSMSSILSB
FIRST
SPEBR[2:0]MSTRCPOLCPHA
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

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 and in slave mode, the MISO pin is used.

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.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 12 CRCNEXT : Transmit CRC next

0: Next transmit value is from Tx buffer.

1: Next transmit value is from Tx CRC register.

Note: This bit has to be written as soon as the last data is written in the SPIx_DR register.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 11 CRCL : CRC length

This bit is set and cleared by software to select the CRC length.

0: 8-bit CRC length

1: 16-bit CRC length

Note: This bit should be written only when SPI is disabled (SPE = '0') for correct operation.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 10 RXONLY : Receive only mode enabled.

This 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 management

When 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 select

This bit has an effect only when the SSM bit is set. The value of this bit is forced onto the NSS pin and the I/O 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 format

0: data is transmitted / received with the MSB first

1: data is transmitted / received with the LSB first

Note: 1. This bit should not be changed when communication is ongoing.

2. This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode.

Bit 6 SPE : SPI enable

0: Peripheral disabled

1: Peripheral enabled

Note: When disabling the SPI, follow the procedure described in Procedure for disabling the SPI on page 1253 .

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bits 5:3 BR[2:0] : Baud rate control

000: 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.

These bits 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.

This bit 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.

This bit 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.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode except the case when CRC is applied at TI mode.

37.9.2 SPI control register 2 (SPIx_CR2)

Address offset: 0x04

Reset value: 0x0700

1514131211109876543210
Res.LDMA_TXLDMA_RXFRXTHDS[3:0]TXEIERXNEIEERRIEFRFNSSPSSOETXDMAENRXDMAEN
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bit 15 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 14 LDMA_TX : Last DMA transfer for transmission

This bit is used in data packing mode, to define if the total number of data to transmit by DMA is odd or even. It has significance only if the TXDMAEN bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set and if packing mode is used (data length <= 8-bit and write access to SPIx_DR is 16-bit wide). It has to be written when the SPI is disabled (SPE = 0 in the SPIx_CR1 register).

0: Number of data to transfer is even

1: Number of data to transfer is odd

Note: Refer to Procedure for disabling the SPI on page 1253 if the CRCEN bit is set.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 13 LDMA_RX : Last DMA transfer for reception

This bit is used in data packing mode, to define if the total number of data to receive by DMA is odd or even. It has significance only if the RXDMAEN bit in the SPIx_CR2 register is set and if packing mode is used (data length <= 8-bit and write access to SPIx_DR is 16-bit wide). It has to be written when the SPI is disabled (SPE = 0 in the SPIx_CR1 register).

0: Number of data to transfer is even

1: Number of data to transfer is odd

Note: Refer to Procedure for disabling the SPI on page 1253 if the CRCEN bit is set.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 12 FRXTH : FIFO reception threshold

This bit is used to set the threshold of the RXFIFO that triggers an RXNE event

0: RXNE event is generated if the FIFO level is greater than or equal to 1/2 (16-bit)

1: RXNE event is generated if the FIFO level is greater than or equal to 1/4 (8-bit)

Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bits 11:8 DS[3:0] : Data size

These bits configure the data length for SPI transfers.

0000: Not used

0001: Not used

0010: Not used

0011: 4-bit

0100: 5-bit

0101: 6-bit

0110: 7-bit

0111: 8-bit

1000: 9-bit

1001: 10-bit

1010: 11-bit

1011: 12-bit

1100: 13-bit

1101: 14-bit

1110: 15-bit

1111: 16-bit

If software attempts to write one of the “Not used” values, they are forced to the value “0111” (8-bit)

Note: These bits are not used in I 2 S mode.

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 (CRCERR, OVR, MODF in SPI mode, FRE at TI mode and UDR, OVR, and 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 must be written only when the SPI is disabled (SPE=0).

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 3 NSSP : NSS pulse management

This bit is used in master mode only. it allows the SPI to generate an NSS pulse between two consecutive data when doing continuous transfers. In the case of a single data transfer, it forces the NSS pin high level after the transfer.

It has no meaning if CPHA = '1', or FRF = '1'.

0: No NSS pulse

1: NSS pulse generated

Note: 1. This bit must be written only when the SPI is disabled (SPE=0).

2. This bit is not used in I 2 S mode and SPI TI mode.

Bit 2 SSOE : SS output enable

0: SS output is disabled in master mode and the SPI interface can work in multimaster configuration

1: SS output is enabled in master mode and when the SPI interface is enabled. The SPI interface 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, a DMA request is generated 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, a DMA request is generated whenever the RXNE flag is set.

0: Rx buffer DMA disabled

1: Rx buffer DMA enabled

37.9.3 SPI status register (SPIx_SR)

Address offset: 0x08

Reset value: 0x0002

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.FTLVL[1:0]FRLVL[1:0]FREBSYOVRMODFCRCE RRUDRCHSIDETXERXNE
rrrrrrrrrc_w0rrrr

Bits 15:13 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bits 12:11 FTLVL[1:0] : FIFO transmission level

These bits are set and cleared by hardware.

Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bits 10:9 FRLVL[1:0] : FIFO reception level

These bits are set and cleared by hardware.

Note: These bits are not used in I 2 S mode and in SPI receive-only mode while CRC calculation is enabled.

Bit 8 FRE : Frame format error

This flag is used for SPI in TI slave mode and I 2 S slave mode. Refer to Section 37.5.11: SPI error flags and Section 37.7.8: I 2 S error flags .

This flag is set by hardware and reset when SPIx_SR is read by software.

0: No frame format error

1: A frame format error occurred

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: The BSY flag must be used with caution: refer to Section 37.5.10: SPI status flags and Procedure for disabling the SPI on page 1253 .

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 I2S error flags on page 1285 for the software sequence.

Bit 5 MODF : Mode fault

0: No mode fault occurred

1: Mode fault occurred

This flag is set by hardware and reset by a software sequence. Refer to Section : Mode fault (MODF) on page 1263 for the software sequence.

Note: This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 4 CRCCERR : CRC error flag

0: CRC value received matches the SPIx_RXCRCR value

1: CRC value received does not match the SPIx_RXCRCR value

Note: This flag is set by hardware and cleared by software writing 0.

This bit is not used in I 2 S mode.

Bit 3 UDR : Underrun flag

0: No underrun occurred

1: Underrun occurred

This flag is set by hardware and reset by a software sequence. Refer to I2S error flags on page 1285 for the software sequence.

Note: This bit is not used in SPI mode.

Bit 2 CHSIDE : Channel side

0: 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 in SPI mode. It has no significance in PCM mode.

Bit 1 TXE : Transmit buffer empty

0: Tx buffer not empty

1: Tx buffer empty

Bit 0 RXNE : Receive buffer not empty

0: Rx buffer empty

1: Rx buffer not empty

37.9.4 SPI data register (SPIx_DR)

Address offset: 0x0C

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
DR[15:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:0 DR[15:0] : Data register

Data received or to be transmitted

The data register serves as an interface between the Rx and Tx FIFOs. When the data register is read, RxFIFO is accessed while the write to data register accesses TxFIFO (See Section 37.5.9: Data transmission and reception procedures ).

Note: Data is always right-aligned. Unused bits are ignored when writing to the register, and read as zero when the register is read. The Rx threshold setting must always correspond with the read access currently used.

37.9.5 SPI CRC polynomial register (SPIx_CRCPR)

Address offset: 0x10

Reset value: 0x0007

1514131211109876543210
CRCPOLY[15:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:0 CRCPOLY[15:0] : CRC polynomial register

This register contains the polynomial for the CRC calculation.

The CRC polynomial (0x0007) is the reset value of this register. Another polynomial can be configured as required.

Note: The polynomial value should be odd only. No even value is supported.

37.9.6 SPI Rx CRC register (SPIx_RXCRCR)

Address offset: 0x14

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
RXCRC[15:0]
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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 SPIx_CR1 register is written to 1. The CRC is calculated serially using the polynomial programmed in the SPIx_CRCPR register.

Only the 8 LSB bits are considered when the CRC frame format is set to be 8-bit length (CRCL bit in the SPIx_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 CRC frame format is selected (CRCL bit in the SPIx_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 in I 2 S mode.

37.9.7 SPI Tx CRC register (SPIx_TXCRCR)

Address offset: 0x18

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
TXCRC[15:0]
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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 SPIx_CR1 is written to 1. The CRC is calculated serially using the polynomial programmed in the SPIx_CRCPR register.

Only the 8 LSB bits are considered when the CRC frame format is set to be 8-bit length (CRCL bit in the SPIx_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 CRC frame format is selected (CRCL bit in the SPIx_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 in I 2 S mode.

37.9.8 SPIx_I2S configuration register (SPIx_I2SCFGR)

Address offset: 0x1C

Reset value: 0x0000

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.ASTRTENI2SMODI2SEI2SCFG[1:0]PCMSYNCRes.I2SSTD[1:0]CKPOLDATLEN[1:0]CHLEN
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

Bits 15:13 Reserved, must be kept at reset value.

Bit 12 ASTRTEN : Asynchronous start enable.

0: The Asynchronous start is disabled.

When the I2S is enabled in slave mode, the hardware starts the transfer when the I2S clock is received and an appropriate transition is detected on the WS signal.

1: The Asynchronous start is enabled.

When the I2S is enabled in slave mode, the hardware starts the transfer when the I2S clock is received and the appropriate level is detected on the WS signal.

Note: The appropriate transition is a falling edge on WS signal when I 2 S Philips Standard is used, or a rising edge for other standards.

The appropriate level is a low level on WS signal when I 2 S Philips Standard is used, or a high level for other standards.

Please refer to Section 37.7.3: Start-up description for additional information.

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 is disabled.

Bit 10 I2SE : I2S enable

0: I2S peripheral is disabled

1: I2S peripheral is enabled

Note: This bit is not used in SPI mode.

Bits 9:8 I2SCFG[1:0] : I2S configuration mode

00: Slave - transmit

01: Slave - receive

10: Master - transmit

11: Master - receive

Note: These bits should be configured when the I2S is disabled.

They are 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, must be kept at reset value.

Bits 5:4 I2SSTD[1:0] : 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 37.7.2 on page 1269

Note: For correct operation, these bits should be configured when the I2S is disabled.

They are not used in SPI mode.

Bit 3 CKPOL : Inactive state clock polarity

0: I2S clock inactive state is low level

1: I2S clock inactive state is high level

Note: For correct operation, this bit should be configured when the I2S is disabled.

It is not used in SPI mode.

The bit CKPOL does not affect the CK edge sensitivity used to receive or transmit the SD and WS signals.

Bits 2:1 DATLEN[1:0] : 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 I2S is disabled.

They are 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.

Note: For correct operation, this bit should be configured when the I2S is disabled.

It is not used in SPI mode.

37.9.9 SPIx_I2S prescaler register (SPIx_I2SPR)

Address offset: 0x20

Reset value: 0x0002

1514131211109876543210
Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.MCKOEODDI2SDIV[7:0]
rwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrwrw

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 I2S is disabled. It is used only when the I2S is in master mode.

It 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 37.7.3 on page 1276 .

Note: This bit should be configured when the I2S is disabled. It is used only when the I2S is in master mode.

It is not used in SPI mode.

Bits 7:0 I2SDIV[7:0] : I2S linear prescaler

I2SDIV [7:0] = 0 or I2SDIV [7:0] = 1 are forbidden values.

Refer to Section 37.7.3 on page 1276 .

Note: These bits should be configured when the I2S is disabled. They are used only when the I2S is in master mode.

They are not used in SPI mode.

37.9.10 SPI/I2S register map

Table 264 shows the SPI/I2S register map and reset values.

Table 264. SPI/I2S register map and reset values

OffsetRegister name
reset value
1514131211109876543210
0x00SPIx_CR1BIDIMODEBIDIOECRCENCRCNEXTCRCLRXONLYSSMSSILSBFIRSTSPEBR [2:0]MSTRCPOLCPHA
Reset value0000000000000000
0x04SPIx_CR2Res.LDMA_TXLDMA_RXFRXTHDS[3:0]TXEIERXNEIEERRIEFRFNSSPSSOETXDMAEN
Reset value000011100000000
0x08SPIx_SRRes.Res.Res.FTLVL[1:0]FRLVL[1:0]FREBSYOVRMODFCRCERRUDRCHSIDETXERXNE
Reset value0000000000010
0x0CSPIx_DRDR[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000000
0x10SPIx_CRCPRCRCPOLY[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000111
0x14SPIx_RXCRCRRXCRC[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000000
0x18SPIx_TXCRCRTXCRC[15:0]
Reset value0000000000000000
0x1CSPIx_I2SCFGRRes.Res.Res.ASTRTENI2SMODI2SEI2SCFG[1:0]Res.I2SSTDCKPOLDATLEN[1:0]CHLEN
Reset value000000000000
0x20SPIx_I2SPRRes.Res.Res.Res.Res.Res.MCKOEODDI2SDIV[7:0]
Reset value0000000010

Refer to Section 2.6 on page 72 for the register boundary addresses.