Flash Memory(SPI)

File:TArduinoFlashMemorySPI.png

Summary

Provides access to SPI-based Flash memory devices for data storage, retrieval, and block erasure.

Description

The **Flash Memory (SPI)** component enables communication and control of external SPI Flash chips. It allows data storage, reading, and erasing of specific memory blocks, making it useful for logging, persistent storage, or large binary data management.

The component supports:

• Configurable **Address Bytes** for different Flash memory sizes (default is 3).
• Optional **Write Protection**, with settings for block size, range, and reverse protection modes.
• **Power Down mode** to reduce power consumption when Flash memory is not actively used.
• Adjustable **SPI Speed** for performance tuning.

Elements define operations that can be added to the component:

• Elements:
  • Data Storage – Used for reading and writing data at defined memory locations.
  • Erase Block – Used to clear specific sections of the Flash memory.

This makes it a versatile component for embedded systems requiring high-capacity non-volatile storage, such as firmware storage, configuration data, logging, and file-like data handling.

Diagram:

Categories

• File:TArduinoDataCategory.png Category Data – Persistent storage and memory management.

Properties

• Address Bytes – Number of address bytes used by the Flash chip (default: 3).
• Elements – Add storage and erase operations.
• Enabled – Enables or disables the component.
• Power Down – If true, places the Flash chip in low-power mode.
• SPISpeed – Defines SPI clock speed.
• Write Protect:
  • Enabled – Activates hardware write protection.
  • Reverse – Reverses protection region.
  • Size (KB) – Protected block size (default 4 KB).
  • Upper – Selects if protection applies to upper or lower memory.

Pins

Input Pins

• SPI – SPI communication interface.

Output Pins

• Write Protected – Digital output indicating write-protection status.
• Chip Select – Digital control pin to enable/disable chip access.