Error Conditions
13.7.1 Overflow Error
The overflow flag (OVRF) becomes set if the receive data register still has unread data from a previous
transmission when the capture strobe of bit 1 of the next transmission occurs. The bit 1 capture strobe
occurs in the middle of SPSCK cycle 7. (See Figure 13-4 and Figure 13-6.) If an overflow occurs, all data
received after the overflow and before the OVRF bit is cleared does not transfer to the receive data
register and does not set the SPI receiver full bit (SPRF). The unread data that transferred to the receive
data register before the overflow occurred can still be read. Therefore, an overflow error always indicates
the loss of data. Clear the overflow flag by reading the SPI status and control register and then reading
the SPI data register.
OVRF generates a receiver/error CPU interrupt request if the error interrupt enable bit (ERRIE) is also
set. The SPRF, MODF, and OVRF interrupts share the same CPU interrupt vector. (See Figure 13-11.)
It is not possible to enable MODF or OVRF individually to generate a receiver/error CPU interrupt request.
However, leaving MODFEN low prevents MODF from being set.
If the CPU SPRF interrupt is enabled and the OVRF interrupt is not, watch for an overflow condition.
Figure 13-9 shows how it is possible to miss an overflow. The first part of Figure 13-9 shows how it is
possible to read the SPSCR and SPDR to clear the SPRF without problems. However, as illustrated by
the second transmission example, the OVRF bit can be set in between the time that SPSCR and SPDR
are read.
BYTE 1
1
BYTE 2
4
BYTE 3
6
BYTE 4
8
SPRF
OVRF
READ
SPSCR
2
5
5
READ
SPDR
3
7
1
2
BYTE 1 SETS SPRF BIT.
CPU READS SPSCR WITH SPRF BIT SET
AND OVRF BIT CLEAR.
CPU READS SPSCR WITH SPRF BIT SET
AND OVRF BIT CLEAR.
6
7
BYTE 3 SETS OVRF BIT. BYTE 3 IS LOST.
3
4
CPU READS BYTE 1 IN SPDR,
CLEARING SPRF BIT.
CPU READS BYTE 2 IN SPDR, CLEARING SPRF BIT,
BUT NOT OVRF BIT.
BYTE 2 SETS SPRF BIT.
8
BYTE 4 FAILS TO SET SPRF BIT BECAUSE
OVRF BIT IS NOT CLEARED. BYTE 4 IS LOST.
Figure 13-9. Missed Read of Overflow Condition
In this case, an overflow can be missed easily. Since no more SPRF interrupts can be generated until this
OVRF is serviced, it is not obvious that bytes are being lost as more transmissions are completed. To
prevent this, either enable the OVRF interrupt or do another read of the SPSCR following the read of the
SPDR. This ensures that the OVRF was not set before the SPRF was cleared and that future
transmissions can set the SPRF bit. Figure 13-10 illustrates this process. Generally, to avoid this second
SPSCR read, enable the OVRF to the CPU by setting the ERRIE bit.
MC68HC908AP Family Data Sheet, Rev. 4
Freescale Semiconductor
217
FREESCALE [ Freescale ]
