SPI with SD card module in Arduino - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does SPI stand for and why is it used with an SD card module?

SPI stands for Serial Peripheral Interface. It is used with an SD card module to allow fast and simple communication between the Arduino and the SD card using a few wires.

beginner

Name the four main SPI pins used to connect an Arduino to an SD card module.

The four main SPI pins are: MOSI (Master Out Slave In), MISO (Master In Slave Out), SCK (Serial Clock), and CS (Chip Select).

beginner

What is the role of the CS (Chip Select) pin in SPI communication with an SD card?

The CS pin tells the SD card when it should listen to the Arduino. When CS is LOW, the SD card is active and communicates; when HIGH, it ignores signals.

beginner

In Arduino code, which library is commonly used to work with SD cards over SPI?

The SD library is commonly used to read and write files on SD cards using SPI communication.

beginner

Why do you need to call SD.begin(CS_pin) in your Arduino sketch?

Calling SD.begin(CS_pin) initializes the SD card and SPI communication. It sets up the card to be ready for reading or writing files.

Which SPI pin sends data from the Arduino to the SD card?

A SCK

B MISO

C MOSI

D CS

MOSI stands for Master Out Slave In, so it sends data from the Arduino (master) to the SD card (slave).

What happens when the CS pin is set HIGH during SPI communication?

A Arduino resets

B SD card listens to Arduino

C SPI clock stops

D SD card ignores communication

When CS is HIGH, the SD card ignores SPI communication and does not respond.

Which Arduino library helps you work with SD cards over SPI?

A SD

B SPI

C Wire

D EEPROM

The SD library provides easy functions to read and write files on SD cards using SPI.

What is the purpose of the SCK pin in SPI?

A Provide clock signal

B Send data to Arduino

C Select the device

D Send data from Arduino

SCK provides the clock signal that synchronizes data transfer between Arduino and SD card.

Before reading or writing files, what must you do in your Arduino sketch?

A Set MOSI HIGH

B Call SD.begin(CS_pin)

C Reset Arduino

D Call SPI.end()

Calling SD.begin(CS_pin) initializes the SD card and SPI communication.

Explain how SPI communication works between an Arduino and an SD card module.

Think about how the Arduino talks to the SD card using a few wires and a clock.

Describe the steps to initialize and write a file to an SD card using Arduino SPI.

Start from setting up the card to saving your data safely.