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Serial Peripheral Interface

What is a Serial Peripheral Interface?

A synchronous serial communication protocol that enables a microcontroller to communicate with one or more peripheral devices using four signal lines: clock (SCLK), master output/slave input (MOSI), master input/slave output (MISO), and chip select (CS). SPI operates in full-duplex mode, allowing simultaneous data transmission in both directions at high speeds. It uses a master-slave architecture where the master device controls the clock signal and initiates all communications, making it ideal for connecting sensors, memory chips, displays, and other integrated circuits to microcontrollers.

Related Terms

Master Out Slave In

MOSI

MOSI (Master Out Slave In) is a signal line in the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication protocol that carries data from the master device to slave devices. The master device uses this line to transmit data, commands, or configuration information to one or more connected slave devices in a synchronized manner. MOSI works in conjunction with other SPI signals like MISO, SCLK, and chip select lines to enable high-speed serial communication between microcontrollers and peripheral devices such as sensors, displays, and memory chips.