MCP2515-I/STVAO - SPI CAN 2.0B Controller | Microchip
MPN: MCP2515-I/STVAO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
MCP2515-I/STVAO Overview
A stand-alone CAN controller connects a host processor to a CAN physical bus through a separate CAN transceiver. CAN is a deterministic, arbitration-based communication network used when message priority, robust framing, and reliable multi-node operation matter. In the hierarchy, the MCP2515 belongs to the CAN controller class, within interface controllers and broader semiconductor communication devices.
Key features include faster throughput than the earlier MCP2510, programmable data-byte filtering, acceptance-filter optimization, dual full masks, interrupt sources for receive, transmit, error, and wake-up activity, and support for time-triggered protocols. According to the manufacturer product page, the device is also pin and function compatible with the MCP2510. Standard and extended identifiers allow a design to support both conventional and extended CAN message formats.
The MCP2515 separates protocol handling from bus-line voltage conversion. Its SPI port communicates with a host MCU or processor, while CANRX and CANTX connect to an external transceiver. This makes the device appropriate for industrial automation, robotics, vehicle instrumentation, medical equipment, embedded control, and test systems where the system already has a transceiver and host controller.
Typical implementation uses an MCU connected by SPI to the MCP2515, a 3.3 V or 5 V CAN transceiver, common reference ground, and a correctly terminated CAN bus. Decoupling capacitors should be placed close to the VDD pins, and the SPI and interrupt traces should be kept short to reduce timing and signal-integrity risk.
This page combines manufacturer specifications, verified distributor findings, package information, application guidance, and replacement-analysis evidence. The supplied data confirms the 20-TSSOP package and 2.7 V to 5.5 V operating range; unspecified electrical limits, register details, lifecycle declarations, pricing, and full pin names are intentionally not invented.
Drop-in alternatives for MCP2515-I/STVAO — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with MCP2515-I/STVAO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Frame Support.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCP2515-E/STVAO
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View Datasheet →MCP2515T-E/STVAO
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MCP2515-I/SOVAO
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View Datasheet →MCP2515-I/STVAO Specifications
| Product Type | Stand-alone CAN controller |
| CAN Protocol | CAN 2.0B |
| Host Interface | SPI |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum Bitrate | 1 Mbit/s |
| Frame Support | Standard, extended, and remote frames |
| Message Buffer | 2 KB |
| Package | 20-pin TSSOP, 0.65 mm pitch |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Terminal Count | 20 terminals |
| Package Code | STVAO |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Controller Count | 1 CAN controller |
| MCP2510 Compatibility | Pin and function compatible |
| Data-Byte Filtering | Supported |
| Time-Triggered Protocol Support | Supported |
MCP2515-I/STVAO stvao Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCP2515-I/STVAO (stvao package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for MCP2515-I/STVAO.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCP2515-I/STVAO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, Robotics and Motion Control, Automotive and Vehicle Instrumentation, Medical and Diagnostic Equipment, Embedded Test and Measurement, Smart Sensor and IoT Gateway.
Industrial Automation Controller
The MCP2515-I/STVAO fits an industrial automation node that must exchange prioritized machine commands and sensor status over CAN. Its CAN 2.0B implementation supports standard and extended frames, while the SPI interface connects cleanly to an embedded MCU or PLC-adjacent processor. At bitrates up to 1 Mbit/s, it can serve factory equipment where deterministic arbitration is useful. An external transceiver is still required for CANH and CANL, and the design should follow the official data sheet for termination, filter configuration, and electrical limits.
Recommended
Robotics and Motion Control
Use MCP2515-I/STVAO in a robot or motion-control system when distributed motor, sensor, and safety-state messages require a deterministic CAN network. The controller’s acceptance filters help the host reject irrelevant traffic, while up-to-1 Mbit/s operation supports higher-rate command and feedback traffic. SPI keeps the host-side implementation straightforward on a microcontroller such as an STM32F103VET6 or ATMEGA2560V-8CU. Add a suitable transceiver such as an SN65HVD231DR when the bus is 3.3 V, and verify timing and termination on the assembled PCB.
Recommended
Automotive and Vehicle Instrumentation
The MCP2515-I/STVAO can support vehicle instrumentation and body electronics prototypes that need a host MCU to access CAN messages through SPI. Standard and extended frame support accommodates different identifier formats, and the industrial-temperature order code is identified in the verified product listing. Because this part is a controller rather than a transceiver, the PCB must include an appropriately selected automotive or industrial CAN physical-layer device, protection network, and bus termination. Confirm AEC-Q100 status and full electrical requirements from Microchip before production use.
Recommended
Medical and Diagnostic Equipment
MCP2515-I/STVAO is suitable for medical or diagnostic equipment modules that need reliable multi-node communication between sensors, control boards, and a supervisory processor. CAN arbitration gives defined priority when multiple nodes transmit, while SPI provides a compact host connection for embedded firmware. The controller can be paired with a host MCU and an external transceiver, with isolation and protection implemented according to the system safety and EMC requirements. The verified data does not establish medical qualification, so compliance, isolation, and electrical validation must be handled at the system level.
Recommended
Embedded Test and Measurement
The MCP2515-I/STVAO can serve as the CAN communication engine in test equipment, data-acquisition systems, and programmable instrumentation. A host processor can configure acceptance filters and transmit test commands through SPI, while an external transceiver connects the controller to the equipment network. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V range supports common embedded supply plans, and the 20-TSSOP package keeps the controller compact. Use the family data sheet to verify timing margins, interrupt behavior, and transceiver logic levels for each instrument platform.
Recommended
Smart Sensor and IoT Gateway
MCP2515-I/STVAO is useful in a gateway that aggregates sensor data from multiple CAN nodes before forwarding it to a higher-level processor. Data-byte filtering and configurable acceptance masks can reduce host workload by rejecting messages that are not relevant to the gateway. The SPI interface is compatible with common embedded controllers, and the 20-TSSOP package supports compact boards. A separate transceiver is mandatory, and the bus must be isolated or protected appropriately for the deployment environment. Confirm filter, interrupt, and timing details against the official family data sheet.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCP2515-I/STVAO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCP2515-E/STVAO | MCP2515T-E/STVAO | MCP2515-I/SOVAO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
Key Differentiators
- CAN 2.0B controller with broad frame support (vs MCP2517FD-H/SL)
- Directly compatible with the established MCP2510 footprint concept (vs MCP2515-I/SOVAO)
- 20-TSSOP integration matches verified related order codes (vs MCP2515-E/STVAO)
- Filtering and time-triggered protocol support (vs MCP2515-I/SOVAO)
Design Notes
Place the MCP2515-I/STVAO close to the host MCU and the external CAN transceiver. Keep the SPI traces short, provide a continuous ground reference, and route CANTX/CANRX toward the transceiver rather than directly into the bus connector. The verified package is 20-TSSOP with 0.65 mm pitch, so confirm the land pattern against the official package drawing before release.
Decouple the controller supply locally with capacitors selected according to the official data sheet and the host power plan. The verified operating range is 2.7 V to 5.5 V, but the supplied material does not provide the recommended capacitor values, current limits, or absolute maximum voltage. Do not infer those values from generic CAN designs; use the family data sheet and validate supply sequencing in the assembled board.
Do not connect the MCP2515-I/STVAO controller outputs directly to CANH and CANL. The MCP2515 is a logic-side controller and requires an external transceiver for bus voltage levels and protection. Also verify SPI mode, interrupt polarity, bitrate settings, acceptance filters, and termination against the family data sheet. A package match alone is not sufficient evidence that an order-code variant is a drop-in replacement.
For a high-bitrate CAN design, use the transceiver and transceiver-side layout recommended by its manufacturer, observe the required termination topology, and keep sensitive analog or clock areas away from the CAN RX/TX path. The MCP2515 can support up-to-1 Mbit/s operation, but achievable bus reliability depends on the complete controller-transceiver-cable system rather than the controller alone.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified extracts do not state RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals status. Compliance must be confirmed from the current Microchip product documentation or supplier certificates.
