CCS/LAUNCHXL-F280049C: Question on communicating with MRF89XA RF module with SPI interface

Tool/software: Code Composer Studio

Hi all:

    I am now working on commnucating with MRF89XA module through SPI interface with Launchpad board.

    However, I meet some problems:

        1. The configuration of SPI interface on LaunchPad. I want to make sure the SPI interface is : 1MHz,8-bit, SPI mode 0 .

    GPIO_setPadConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPISIMOA,GPIO_PIN_TYPE_PULLUP);
    GPIO_setPinConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_CFG_SPISIMOA);
    GPIO_setQualificationMode(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPISIMOA,GPIO_QUAL_ASYNC);

    //SCLK----GPIO56
    GPIO_setPadConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPICLKA,GPIO_PIN_TYPE_PULLUP);
    GPIO_setPinConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_CFG_SPICLKA);
    GPIO_setQualificationMode(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPICLKA,GPIO_QUAL_ASYNC);

    //SOMI----GPIO17
    GPIO_setPadConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPISOMIA,GPIO_PIN_TYPE_STD);
    GPIO_setPinConfig(DEVICE_GPIO_CFG_SPISOMIA);
    GPIO_setQualificationMode(DEVICE_GPIO_PIN_SPISOMIA,GPIO_QUAL_ASYNC);

    //SPI_CS----GPIO39
    GPIO_setPinConfig(GPIO_39_GPIO39);
    GPIO_setPadConfig(39,GPIO_PIN_TYPE_PULLUP);
    GPIO_setDirectionMode(39,GPIO_DIR_MODE_OUT);

void initSPI_A()
{

    //
    // Must put SPI into reset before configuring it.
    //
    SPI_disableModule(SPIA_BASE);

    //
    // SPI configuration. Use a 1MHz SPICLK and 8-bit word size,SPI mode 0
    //
    SPI_setConfig(SPIA_BASE, DEVICE_LSPCLK_FREQ, SPI_PROT_POL0PHA0,
                  SPI_MODE_MASTER, 1000000, 8);

    //
    // Configuration complete. Enable the module.
    //
    SPI_enableModule(SPIA_BASE);
}

        2. The Interrupt mechanism:

            I am not sure  that the write and read function are correct. In "ReadData" function, thr for loop confused me so much. Why do you add  "SPI_writeDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE, 0x0000)" to "Send dummy data to receive the EEPROM data". Is this step necessary?? and what does it for? 

            My peripheral is a RF module but not an eeprom, I have checked the data sheet of RF module,maybe the step "Send dummy data to receive the EEPROM data" is not necessary?

void readData(uint16_t address, uint16_t * data, uint16_t length)
{
    uint16_t i;

    CSCON_TXLOW;
    //
    // Send the MSB of the address of the EEPROM
    //
    /*
    SPI_writeDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE, (address & 0xFF00));

    //
    // Dummy read to clear INT_FLAG.
    //
    SPI_readDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE);
*/
    //
    // Send the LSB of the address of the EEPROM
    //
    SPI_writeDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE, (address<<8) );

    //
    // Dummy read to clear INT_FLAG.
    //
    SPI_readDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE);

    //
    // Read the data from the EEPROM
    //
    for(i = 0; i < length; i++)
    {
        //
        // Send dummy data to receive the EEPROM data
        //
        SPI_writeDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE, 0x0000);
        data[i] = SPI_readDataBlockingNonFIFO(SPIA_BASE);
    }

    CSCON_TXHIGH;
}

    3. I am always blocking here while Debug:

      When I check the datasheet, I find the INT_FLAG should be 1 when transmitting or receiving completely,  I think I have successfully send the data but why the "INT_FLAG" not be 1.