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I wrote some Python to read data from an SPI A/D converter MCP3208 using:

dat = spi.xfer([0x06, 0x00, 0x00])

for the first channel. The variable dat contains the data which I need to shift and convert to voltage value. All OK so far.

Now I like to read not just a single sample, but say 1024 samples at once. I could achieve this by sending the above command in a for loop, but then the timing between samples is not really guaranteed.

I can not find a way to accomplish this in a single xfer command, because it seems that xfer keeps CS signal active during the transfer of bytes in the list above, no matter how many they are.

The CS behaviour I need would be like:

CS: active active active *release* active active active *release* …

all in the same xfer command.

It seems that xfer2 is not of much help here either, particularly since it also seems to have a bug.

any ideas? :-)

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  • You don't really ask a question. Perhaps source another ADC which can do the timing and buffering of readings. Perhaps use a separate micro to do the readings. Perhaps bit bang SPI with DMA to get accurately timed readings.
    – joan
    Commented Sep 16, 2016 at 8:45
  • thanks for quick reply. I think the ADC is quite ok. My point is about the timing between two consequent xfer calls. Please also see the comment below.
    – xaratustra
    Commented Sep 16, 2016 at 9:06
  • You can't get accurately timed samples with the Linux SPI driver. You will need to bit bang SPI using DMA to do what you apparently want on the Pi.
    – joan
    Commented Sep 16, 2016 at 9:25

1 Answer 1

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I'm not sure what you mean by Now I like to read not just a single sample, but say 1024 samples at once ? the device does not have a buffer holding multiple readings ... it just sends the latest sample when requested.

If you want 1024 samples then (as you say) put the command in a loop.

Not sure what you mean about timing not being guaranteed. Each command is independent and should get you a reading (the MCP3208 can sample at up to 100ks/s.

This might help from the py-spidev library implementation : 

PyDoc_STRVAR(SpiDev_xfer_doc,
    "xfer([values]) -> [values]\n\n"
    "Perform SPI transaction.\n"
    "CS will be released and reactivated between blocks.\n"
    "delay specifies delay in usec between blocks.\n");
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  • Thanks for fast reply. No matter what the clock speed is, sending the above 6 0 0 gives me back 3 bytes containing one ADC sample. Now if I want to go for say 10ksps, then I need to shift 10000 such 6 0 0s using the same number of xfer commands in a loop. While within an xfer command the timing between 6 0 0 is dominated by the SPI clock speed setting, the timing between two xfer commands may is not guaranteed by the SPI clock speed in a loop. So I need a kind of xfer that can transfer say 10000 6 0 0s within the same command.
    – xaratustra
    Commented Sep 16, 2016 at 9:06
  • For that kind of granular timing control you might need to consider a microcontroller instead. Even if you could modify the py-spidev library to suit your needs the .xfer command is going to suffer from interrupts and other OS tasks that are taking place, so still no guarantee of accurate timing...
    – KennetRunner
    Commented Sep 16, 2016 at 9:59

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