Maximum speed of SPI and QSPI supported by nRF5340

[snowuyl]

I would like to access NOR flash through SPI and QSPI interfaces. What is maximum speed supported by nRF5340? Besides, does nRF5340 support accessing SD card through QSPI interface?

[mathiaso]

Hi!

The QSPI on nRF5340 has up to 48 MB/sec EasyDMA read rate, as described in the here.

SPIM has a maximum bit rate of 16 Mbps, even though application core SPIM4 supports 32 Mbps write speed when running at 128 MHz, as described here.

SPIS has a maximum bit rate of 8 Mbps but the actual maximum data rate depends on the master's CLK to MISO and MOSI setup and hold timings, as described here.

Regarding the use of an SD card with QSPI, this unfortunately has some licensing issues, as concluded on in this case.

Best regards,
Mathias

[snowuyl]

Thanks for your reply! Why QSPI maximum bit rate is 48Mbps instead 64 Mbps (i.e. 16Mbps * 4)? 

[mathiaso]

It's due to the maximum clock frequency of 96 MHz.

[snowuyl]

Thanks for your reply!