MCP2210T-I/SS - USB-to-SPI Bridge, 9 GPIO, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: MCP2210T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.75 | $3.75 |
| 10 | $3.38 | $33.80 |
| 100 | $2.92 | $292.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
MCP2210T-I/SS Overview
A USB bridge IC, also called a USB-to-SPI protocol converter, is a bridge device that sits between a USB host (typically a PC or embedded processor acting as USB device) and an external SPI slave. It eliminates the need for a dedicated microcontroller with a USB device stack, dramatically reducing firmware complexity. Within the broader hierarchy, the MCP2210 is a USB interface IC -> bridge converter -> USB controller -> interface IC -> integrated circuit.
Key features include programmable SPI clock up to 12 MHz, chip select lines that can be mapped to dedicated or GPIO pins, support for USB Suspend/Resume, and a built-in 256-byte EEPROM for storing user configuration such as VID, PID, manufacturer string, and GPIO defaults. The integrated USB termination resistors and on-chip 3.3 V LDO further reduce external component count.
The device presents itself to the host as a USB Human Interface Device (HID) class, which means no custom host driver is required on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The Microchip MCP2210 Utility and the cross-platform MCP2210 Library (with .NET, Python, and C bindings) allow immediate SPI bus access from PC applications, accelerating prototyping of test fixtures and lab instrumentation.
Typical applications include USB-to-SPI adapters for programming flash memories and microcontrollers without native USB, industrial sensor interface bridges, lab automation and test equipment front-ends, embedded development boards, and home-brew or hobbyist SPI debuggers that expose SPI peripherals over USB. The on-board GPIOs also let designers implement control signals such as reset, boot-mode selection, or LED indicators without an additional IO expander.
When designing with the MCP2210T-I/SS, place the USB DP/DN traces as a 90 ohm differential pair routed directly to the USB connector, keep the VBUS sense line intact for proper attach detection, and observe the SSOP-20 thermal pad (if present) for reflow. Decoupling should include a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor plus a 0.1 uF ceramic close to the VDD pin.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specifications, distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MCP2210T-I/SS — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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MCP2210-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCP2210T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCP2210T-I/SS Specifications
| Function | USB-to-SPI Master Bridge with GPIO |
| USB Specification | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) |
| USB Class | HID (no custom driver required) |
| SPI Role | Master only |
| Maximum SPI Clock | 12 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 3.3 V to 5.5 V |
| GPIO Pins | 9 (configurable as input, output, or chip select) |
| On-chip EEPROM | 256 bytes (user-accessible for VID/PID/strings) |
| Integrated USB Termination Resistors | Yes (DP/DN pull-up included) |
| On-chip LDO | 3.3 V internal regulator |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes / Compliant |
MCP2210T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP0 — General-purpose I/O 0 / SPI CS |
| Pin 2 | GP1 — General-purpose I/O 1 / SPI CS |
| Pin 3 | GP2 — General-purpose I/O 2 / SPI CS |
| Pin 4 | GP3 — General-purpose I/O 3 / SPI CS |
| Pin 5 | GP4 — General-purpose I/O 4 / SPI CS |
| Pin 6 | GP5 — General-purpose I/O 5 / SPI CS |
| Pin 7 | GP6 — General-purpose I/O 6 / SPI CS |
| Pin 8 | GP7 — General-purpose I/O 7 / SPI CS |
| Pin 9 | GP8 — General-purpose I/O 8 (default SPI SCK) |
| Pin 10 | SDI — SPI Serial Data In (MOSI) |
| Pin 11 | SDO — SPI Serial Data Out (MISO) |
| Pin 12 | SCK — SPI Serial Clock |
| Pin 13 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Supply voltage (3.3 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | VBUS — USB VBUS sense (5 V from host) |
| Pin 16 | D- — USB Data Minus |
| Pin 17 | D+ — USB Data Plus |
| Pin 18 | OSC1 — Crystal input |
| Pin 19 | OSC2 — Crystal output |
| Pin 20 | RST — Reset (active low) |
Typical Applications
MCP2210T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: USB-to-SPI Adapter for Flash Programming, Industrial Sensor Interface Bridge, Lab Test Equipment Front-End, Embedded Development Board Debug Port, Home Automation / IoT Bridge, Medical Device Programming and Calibration.
USB-to-SPI Adapter for Flash Programming
The MCP2210T-I/SS is a natural fit for USB-to-SPI adapter dongles that program SPI flash memories and EEPROMs in production or field. Its USB 2.0 Full-Speed HID enumeration removes the need for custom drivers on Windows, macOS, and Linux host PCs, while the 12 MHz SPI clock maximum supports modern SPI flash page-write cycles. Designers place the chip between a USB-C connector and an SPI flash footprint, using 4 GPIOs as dedicated chip-selects when multiplexing multiple flash banks. The integrated USB termination resistors and on-chip 3.3 V LDO cut the external BOM to a few capacitors, fitting inside a compact 30 x 20 mm dongle enclosure. The 256-byte EEPROM stores the vendor/product strings so a single PC application can detect any number of identical-looking adapters in the field.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Bridge
Factory-floor sensor modules use the MCP2210T-I/SS to expose SPI sensors (pressure, flow, gas) over a standard USB port to a host controller. Its -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade and integrated USB termination resistors make it suitable for sealed IP65 enclosures where reliability matters more than miniaturization. The 9 GPIOs allow it to drive chip-select, interrupt, and reset lines to multiple sensors on a single SPI bus, while the on-board EEPROM lets the host identify the board by serial number. Designers rely on the MCP2210's HID-class behaviour to avoid signed-driver headaches on Windows-based SCADA hosts, and the Microchip MCP2210 Utility shortens bench validation by providing a GUI for register-level SPI transactions during sensor bring-up.
Recommended
Lab Test Equipment Front-End
Test and measurement front-ends use the MCP2210T-I/SS as a USB front-end for SPI-controlled DACs, ADCs, and attenuators inside ATE racks. The 12 MHz SCK combined with low-jitter internal dividers supports deterministic SPI transactions required by lab software such as LabVIEW and Python pyserial-bridges. Engineers appreciate the GPIO-driven trigger lines, which can flag a logic analyzer or oscilloscope on each SPI transaction boundary. Because the device enumerates as HID, lab PCs do not need admin rights to install the bridge - a meaningful advantage in locked-down university or corporate environments. Power consumption is modest: at 5 V VDD and typical SPI activity, the device draws well under 50 mA, allowing it to be bus-powered without a separate regulator on the test fixture.
Recommended
Embedded Development Board Debug Port
Many MCU development kits integrate the MCP2210T-I/SS as a built-in USB-to-SPI debug port for boards that lack native USB. Hobbyist and educational boards rely on it for SPI flashing, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) bridges, and sensor-bus extension without adding extra MCU firmware. The 256-byte EEPROM can store a per-board identifier that the IDE uses to bind project settings to physical hardware, simplifying classroom workflows where multiple identical boards are in use. The SSOP-20 footprint is friendly to hand-solder rework on through-hole adapter PCBs, and the Microchip MCP2210 Library example projects accelerate writing a host-side GUI in Python or C# within hours rather than days.
Recommended
Home Automation / IoT Bridge
Home automation gateways use the MCP2210T-I/SS to expose SPI-based smart-home peripherals (RGB controllers, sensor hubs) to a USB-equipped single-board computer such as a Raspberry Pi. The HID-class enumeration lets the SBC detect the bridge immediately on hot-plug without rebuilding the kernel, and the GPIO pins drive relay boards or status LEDs. Power-rail flexibility (3.3 V to 5.5 V) lets it share supply rails with both the SBC and the downstream SPI peripherals. The device's low-power Suspend/Resume behaviour matches USB-attached expectations for always-on gateways, while the industrial temperature grade ensures long-term reliability in attic or basement installations where ambient temperatures swing widely.
Recommended
Medical Device Programming and Calibration
Medical device manufacturers and field calibration houses use the MCP2210T-I/SS as a USB-to-SPI bridge for parameter storage, firmware updates, and periodic calibration of benchtop analyzers. The integrated EEPROM stores calibration constants per serial number, while the GPIOs drive device-under-test reset and test-mode pins during calibration. Because the device is HID-class, calibration PCs do not require proprietary drivers, reducing validation effort under IEC 62304 workflows. The 3.3 V to 5.5 V supply range accommodates legacy analog front-ends that still operate from 5 V rails. Reliability is reinforced by the industrial temperature grade, important for analyzers used in clinical environments with variable HVAC conditions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCP2210T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCP2210-I/SS | MCP2210T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-20 (5.30 mm body) | SSOP-20 - same | SOIC-20 wide-body (same pinout, different land pattern) |
| USB Specification | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3 V to 5.5 V | 3.3 V to 5.5 V | 3.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum SPI Clock | 12 MHz | 12 MHz | 12 MHz |
| GPIO Count | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| On-chip EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel (SOIC-20 wide body) |
Key Differentiators
- HID-class enumeration eliminates custom USB drivers (vs FTDI FT232H)
- On-chip 256-byte EEPROM for VID/PID storage (vs MCP2221A)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C operating range (vs CP2102N (commercial-grade USB-UART))
Design Notes
Route the USB D+ and D- traces as a 90 ohm differential pair from pins 16 and 17 directly to the USB connector, keeping the pair matched within 150 mils and avoiding stubs. Place the 12 MHz crystal (or resonator) close to OSC1/OSC2 (pins 18-19) with short traces and a guard ground. A 4.7 uF bulk plus a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor should sit within 1 mm of VDD (pin 14) to suppress USB inrush transients.
Keep SPI traces (SDO, SDI, SCK, CS) short and length-matched when running at the 12 MHz maximum, and add a series 22-33 ohm resistor on SCK near the MCP2210 to dampen reflections into long slave cables. If the slave device uses 5 V logic while the MCP2210 sees 3.3 V from its internal LDO, confirm the slave's VIH/VOL compatibility or insert a level shifter; the MCP2210 itself does not include level translation.
Do not omit the VBUS sense connection to pin 15 - the device uses it to detect USB attach/detach and enter Suspend mode. Host enumeration also requires the descriptor fields (VID/PID/strings) to be programmed into the on-chip 256-byte EEPROM using the MCP2210 Utility before first use; otherwise the bridge enumerates with default Microchip identifiers and may conflict with other MCP2210 boards on the same host.
Compliance Information
Lead-free and RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial-grade consumer/industrial USB bridge).
