Serial peripheral interface, or SPI, is a protocol for two devices to send and receive data. For example a LCD display might use a SPI interface to receive pixel data, or a temperature sensor might use SPI to send readings to a microcontroller. With MicroPython you can use the SPI protocol to talk to devices and write scripts that interface with interesting hardware!
This guide will explore how to use SPI with MicroPython. In particular MicroPython on the ESP8266 will be used to talk to a simple SPI device, the MAX31855 thermocouple temperature sensor. You’ll learn how to create a SPI interface, and send and receive data over that interface. With just the basics of sending and receiving SPI data you can start to write your own MicroPython code that interacts with other interesting SPI devices!
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
