Intermediate
30 min

Provide unparalleled data throughput with SST26VF064B and ATmega328P

Quad the speed, quad the power

SQI FLASH Click with Arduino UNO Rev3

Published Feb 14, 2024

Click board™

SQI FLASH Click

Dev. board

Arduino UNO Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega328P

Easily integrate our Serial Quad I/O Flash Memory into existing systems, upgrading storage performance and meeting the demands of modern data-centric applications

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

SQI FLASH Click is based on the SST26VF064B, a 64 Mbit Serial Quad I/O flash device from Microchip. The chip utilizes a 4-bit multiplexed I/O serial interface to boost performance. The Click is a fast solid-state, non-volatile data storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Operating at 104 MHz, the SST26VF064B enables minimum latency execute-in-place (XIP) capability without code shadowing. Features like high performance and reliability make the SQI Flash click the ideal choice for network appliances, DSL and cable modems, wireless network devices, automotive, and other applications where high-speed, reliable data storage is needed. Further benefits are achieved with its proprietary, high-performance CMOS SuperFlash® technology, which significantly improves performance

and reliability and lowers power consumption. SQI Flash click features a 4-bit I/O interface allowing low-power and high-performance operation. SST26VF064B supports full command-set compatibility with traditional Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol. System designs using the SQI flash devices occupy less board space and ultimately lower the system costs. The SST26VF064B device is configured as a regular SPI device after the power-on, keeping the backward compatibility with the SPI interface. Once started using the regular SPI interface, the device can be configured to work in the Serial Quad Interface mode by setting the config registers. Several more features on this device are used to protect and manage data, such as the factory-programmed serial ID number, which can not be changed.

This can be used for identification or building various kinds of security devices. On top of the factory serial number, it is possible to define a second custom serial ID number, which can be locked by a protection bit. The device also has several non-volatile memory locations for storing protection/lock bits - so the device won't change the protection status when restarted. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

SQI FLASH Click top side image
SQI FLASH Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Arduino UNO is a versatile microcontroller board built around the ATmega328P chip. It offers extensive connectivity options for various projects, featuring 14 digital input/output pins, six of which are PWM-capable, along with six analog inputs. Its core components include a 16MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an

ICSP header, and a reset button, providing everything necessary to power and program the board. The Uno is ready to go, whether connected to a computer via USB or powered by an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. As the first USB Arduino board, it serves as the benchmark for the Arduino platform, with "Uno" symbolizing its status as the

first in a series. This name choice, meaning "one" in Italian, commemorates the launch of Arduino Software (IDE) 1.0. Initially introduced alongside version 1.0 of the Arduino Software (IDE), the Uno has since become the foundational model for subsequent Arduino releases, embodying the platform's evolution.

Arduino UNO Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

28

RAM (Bytes)

2048

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino UNO has two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino UNO board without effort. The Arduino Uno, a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P, provides an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new concepts and build prototypes with the ATmega328P microcontroller from various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The Arduino Uno has 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and reset button. Most of the ATmega328P microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino UNO board with our Click Shield for Arduino UNO, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
SQI – D3 / Data Transfer Pause
PD2
RST
SPI Chip Select
PB2
CS
SPI Clock
PB5
SCK
SQI - D1 / SPI Data OUT
PB4
MISO
SQI - D0 / SPI Data IN
PB3
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
SQI – D2 / Write Protect
PD6
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

SQI FLASH Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino UNO Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Arduino UNO MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for SQI Flash Click driver.

Key functions:

  • sqiflash_write_generic - SQI FLASH Write

  • sqiflash_read_generic - SQI FLASH Read

  • sqiflash_global_block_unlock - SQI FLASH Global Block Unlock

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief SqiFlash Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This is an example that demonstrates the use of the SQI FLASH Click board.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * SQI FLASH Driver Initialization, initializes the Click by setting mikroBUS to
 * approprieate logic levels, performing global block unlock and chip erase functions,
 * reads manufacturer ID, memory type and device ID and logs it on USB UART terminal.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Writing data to Click memory and displaying the read data via UART.
 *
 * @author Stefan Ilic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "sqiflash.h"

static sqiflash_t sqiflash;
static log_t logger;

uint8_t device_manufac = 0;
uint8_t device_type = 0;
uint8_t device_id = 0;

uint8_t wr_data[ 9 ] = { 'M', 'i', 'k', 'r', 'o', 'E', 13, 10, 0 };
uint8_t rd_data[ 9 ] = { 0 };
uint32_t address = 0x015015ul;

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    sqiflash_cfg_t sqiflash_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    sqiflash_cfg_setup( &sqiflash_cfg );
    SQIFLASH_MAP_MIKROBUS( sqiflash_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( SPI_MASTER_ERROR == sqiflash_init( &sqiflash, &sqiflash_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    Delay_ms ( 300 );
    sqiflash_global_block_unlock( &sqiflash );
    Delay_ms ( 400 );
    sqiflash_chip_erase( &sqiflash );
    Delay_ms ( 300 );
    
    device_manufac = sqiflash_device_manufac( &sqiflash );
    log_printf( &logger, " Manufacturer ID: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) device_manufac );
    device_type = sqiflash_device_type( &sqiflash );
    log_printf( &logger, " Memory Type: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) device_type );
    device_id = sqiflash_device_id( &sqiflash );
    log_printf( &logger, " Device ID: 0x%.2X\r\n", ( uint16_t ) device_id );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    log_printf( &logger, " Writing data to address: 0x%.6LX\r\n", address );
    sqiflash_write_generic( &sqiflash, address, wr_data, 9 );
    log_printf( &logger, " Written data: %s", wr_data );
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n Reading data from address: 0x%.6LX\r\n", address );
    sqiflash_read_generic( &sqiflash, address, rd_data, 9 );
    log_printf( &logger, " Read data: %s", rd_data );
    log_printf( &logger, "-------------------------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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