Skip the Wait - Maximizing SPI Throughput in the Linux Kernel With SPI Offloading

Explore advanced SPI optimization techniques in this 34-minute conference talk from the Linux Foundation, where David Lechner from BayLibre demonstrates how to achieve maximum SPI throughput using hardware offloading methods. Learn about the concept of "offloading" as it applies to SPI controllers, where additional hardware handles tasks traditionally performed in software such as initiating transfers and managing interrupts. Discover how this approach enables high-speed data acquisition applications capable of processing 1 million samples per second for ADCs and meeting strict latency requirements for systems like CAN bus controllers. Examine the design process behind creating a versatile interface that accommodates various applications and understand the final solution architecture. Delve into hardware triggers that complement SPI offload functionality and explore their potential as a standalone subsystem for generic hardware triggers. Follow a practical implementation example showing how these techniques achieve 2.5 million samples per second in a real ADC driver. Gain insights into additional use cases for SPI offloading and learn the steps required to implement support for new applications in your own projects.