I just started using the Cheetah SPI Host Adapter with the Flash Center Software and it works really well. I have a question about the bit rate speed. I don't always need the default bit rate speed of 50,000 kHz. In fact, most of the time, 40,000 kHz works with the SPI memory devices I control and program. A few devices work at slower speeds, but not many.

Each time I turn on the Cheetah adapter, I have to change the bit rate from the default speed. Is there a way I can update the default bit rate so that I don't have to modify it each time?

Thanks for your question! You can easily set the default bit rate of the Cheetah adapter with the Flash Center Software. There are two ways to do this – both are quite easy.

	Figure 1: Cheetah SPI Host Adapter	Figure 2: Flash Center Software Intuitive GUI

• You can use the Device Control Panel, and select the desired speed parameter from the bit rate dropdown menu. For speeds greater than 32 kHz, you can type in the desired speed, and Flash Center will remember the speed and part the next it is opened.

 Figure 3: Flash Center Software - Device Control Panel

• Alternatively, you can edit the XML file of the device that you are working with. This enables you to set the desired bit rate speed for each SPI device - you will not have to modify the bit rate speed after setting up the speed parameter in the SPI device's file.  For example, for 40,000 kHz, set the maxBit field in the selected XML file as follows:   <maxBit rate>40*1000</maxBit rate>.

In addition to setting the bit rate, the Flash Center Software, you can quickly erase, program and verify devices, use multiple host adapters in parallel, and view the activity in real time. Also, we provide an extensive XML library that is constantly updated, supporting more devices. This allows you to communicate with many SPI devices from several manufacturers - and because it's XML, you can easily adapt or create your own file for custom devices, or for devices that are not currently supported.

The information that you need to set up communication with devices that are not already in the XML library is easy to obtain. Most often, it is the basic information provided in the device specifications of the manufacturer's data sheet.

Additional resources that you may find helpful include the following:

• Cheetah SPI Host Adapter User Manual
• Flash Center Software User Manual

We hope this answers your questions. If you have other questions about our serial platforms, board accessories or other Total Phase products, feel free to email us at sales@totalphase.com, or if you already own one of our devices and have a technical question, please submit a request for technical support.