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DIP-18 / SOP-18 · MCP2515
ActiveCAN Controller (SPI)
MCP2515
Microchip Technology · DIP-18 / SOP-18 · CAN Controller (SPI)
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Get a competitive quote within 24 hours. Volume discounts available. Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 business days.
Overview
The MCP2515 is Microchip's stand-alone CAN controller and the de facto way to give any SPI-equipped microcontroller a full CAN 2.0B port. Inside, it implements the complete physical and data-link layers of the CAN specification: message arbitration, error signaling, automatic retransmission, bit timing with programmable synchronization jump width, and support for standard 11-bit and extended 29-bit identifiers at any bit rate up to 1 Mbps. The host communicates over an SPI bus clockable to 10 MHz using simple read/write-buffer instructions, or via one-shot RTDX mode for tight timing loops.
Message handling is buffered in silicon: three transmit buffers with individual priority bits and abort control, two receive buffers with overflow flagging, six 29-bit acceptance filters (two dedicated to buffer 0, four to buffer 1) and two acceptance masks. A single INT pin can mask-select from message-received, message-transmitted, error and wake-up conditions, keeping host polling minimal. The device runs from 2.7 V to 5.5 V — so it drops into both 3.3 V and 5 V designs — in DIP-18, SOIC-18 or TSSOP-18, with I-grade (-40 to 85 °C) and E-grade (-40 to 125 °C) temperature options.
The MCP2515 is the controller half of the classic pairing with a TJA1050/TJA1042 or MCP2551 transceiver, which handles the differential CANH/CANL physical layer. Nearly every hobby CAN board and many automotive-adjacent products use this exact combination, so second sources (Microchip MCP2515, plus drop-in clones) abound. Buy genuine Microchip for E-grade temperature marking and verified bit-timing; remarked parts commonly fail extended-ID filtering. Stock is plentiful in Shenzhen with MOQ from 1 tube or reel.
Key Features
- Full CAN 2.0B controller — standard 11-bit and extended 29-bit IDs to 1 Mbps
- 3 TX buffers with priority/abort + 2 RX buffers, 6 filters, 2 masks
- SPI interface up to 10 MHz with one-shot transmit mode
- Wide 2.7-5.5 V supply; I-grade and E-grade (-40 to 125 °C) versions
Typical Applications
- OBD-II dongles and automotive diagnostics bridges
- CANopen / J1939 nodes on industrial machinery and vehicles
- Retrofitting CAN networks onto MCU platforms lacking native CAN
- Motor controllers, BMS units and EV charger instrumentation
- Building automation and marine NMEA 2000 gateways
Specifications
- CAN Version
- CAN 2.0B, up to 1 Mbps
- Interface
- SPI (up to 10 MHz)
- Supply Voltage
- 2.7 to 5.5 V
- Transmit Buffers
- 3 (with Priority and Abort)
- Receive Buffers
- 2
- Acceptance Filters
- 6 x 29-bit
- Acceptance Masks
- 2 x 29-bit
- Operating Temperature
- -40 to 85 (I-grade) °C
- Pins
- 18
- RoHS
- Compliant
Procurement Tips
Match the temperature grade to the application: the E-grade MCP2515-E/SO (-40 to 125 °C) costs slightly more than the I-grade but is essential for under-hood or outdoor enclosures. Order a 16 MHz crystal alongside to guarantee clean bit timing at 1 Mbps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use an MCP2515 instead of the MCU built-in CAN peripheral?
Many popular MCUs (STM32F0/F1 low-end, ESP32 via TWAI differences, ATmega, RP2040) either lack CAN or limit you to one instance. The MCP2515 adds a second independent CAN port, offloads filtering and buffering to hardware, and keeps the same driver code across completely different host platforms.
What is the difference between MCP2515 and MCP2551?
They are complementary, not alternatives: the MCP2515 is the CAN protocol controller (digital logic, SPI), while the MCP2551 is the CAN transceiver (drives CANH/CANL differentially). A complete CAN node needs both — or an MCU with native CAN plus one transceiver.
Can the MCP2515 do CAN FD?
No. It implements classic CAN 2.0B up to 1 Mbps only. For CAN FD you need the Microchip MCP2517FD/MCP2518FD controller, which keeps a similar SPI interface but supports data rates to 8 Mbps in the data phase.
What SPI clock and CAN bit rates are actually achievable?
SPI is specified to 10 MHz at 4.5-5.5 V (5 MHz at 2.7-4.5 V). The CAN bit rate is set by the CNF1-CNF3 timing registers; 1 Mbps requires an 8 MHz or higher crystal. A 16 MHz crystal covers all standard rates (125k, 250k, 500k, 1M) with clean sample points.
How do I spot counterfeit or remarked MCP2515 chips?
Genuine Microchip laser-etching is crisp and cannot be scratched off; remarked parts often have ink-printed logos. Electrically, test extended 29-bit acceptance filtering and error-frame counters — clones frequently mishandle extended IDs. Date codes should be verifiable with Microchip channel records.
Do I need termination resistors with the MCP2515?
The MCP2515 itself does not terminate the bus. Each end of a CAN segment needs a 120 ohm resistor across CANH/CANL, plus optionally a split termination with a 4.7 nF capacitor to ground for improved EMC in automotive installations.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ 1 tube (DIP-18) or 1 reel (3,300 pcs SOIC-18) for stock items, loose 50 pcs available for prototyping. Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 business days; Microchip authorized channel replenishment is 6-12 weeks.
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