MCP6042-I/P - Dual 1.6V 600nA RRIO Op Amp | Microchip
MPN: MCP6042-I/P ✓ ActiveMCP6042-I/P Overview
An operational amplifier is an analog signal-processing IC that uses high open-loop gain to amplify the difference between its inverting and non-inverting inputs. The MCP6042 belongs to the operational-amplifier hierarchy within amplifier ICs and analog semiconductors. Its rail-to-rail input capability allows operation close to the supply rails, while rail-to-rail output improves dynamic range in low-voltage systems powered by one or two cells.
Key features include 1.6 V to 6.0 V operation, less than 1 µA maximum quiescent current per amplifier, less than 3 mV typical input offset voltage, 14 kHz typical gain-bandwidth product, and 60 dB minimum common-mode rejection ratio. The device is unity-gain stable and operates from a single supply or dual supplies. Its low-power CMOS implementation supports portable sensing and battery-current-monitoring applications without introducing the higher current consumption associated with many general-purpose amplifiers.
The MCP6042 uses advanced CMOS technology and contains two amplifiers in one package. Its input stage supports rail-to-rail common-mode operation, and its output stage can swing close to both supply rails. The 14 kHz gain-bandwidth product is sufficient for slow sensor signals, buffered transducers, and low-frequency control loops, but it is not intended for high-speed video, RF, or wideband signal-chain applications. Unity-gain stability simplifies follower and general-purpose gain configurations.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor conditioning, low-current monitoring, portable instrumentation, programmable gain stages, active filters, and low-frequency industrial signal conditioning. Because each amplifier consumes approximately 600 nA typically, the MCP6042 can help reduce total system current when several analog channels must remain continuously powered. Its dual configuration also reduces the number of packages required compared with two discrete single amplifiers.
When designing around the MCP6042, verify input and output common-mode limits across the complete signal and temperature range. Keep the output within its specified swing limits, account for input offset when resolving small sensor signals, and avoid loading the output near the rails. Decoupling capacitors should be placed close to the supply pins, while high-impedance sensor inputs require careful board cleanliness and guarding to minimize leakage and stray-capacitance errors.
This product page consolidates manufacturer specifications, distributor pricing and stock data, package details, selection guidance, and application-focused engineering guidance. It also distinguishes the verified industrial-temperature MCP6042-I/P from related family options and clearly identifies where pin-for-pin substitution evidence is limited.
Drop-in alternatives for MCP6042-I/P — 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 MCP6042-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Number of Amplifiers, Common-Mode Rejection Ratio, Gain-Bandwidth Product, Input Type.
MCP6042-E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs UnverifiedContact for price
View Datasheet →MCP6043-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs UnverifiedContact for price
View Datasheet →MCP6042-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Number of Amplifiers | 2 amplifiers |
| Product Type | Rail-to-rail input/output operational amplifier |
| Minimum Supply Voltage | 1.6 V |
| Maximum Supply Voltage | 6.0 V |
| Supply Configuration | Single or dual supply |
| Gain-Bandwidth Product | 14 kHz typical |
| Quiescent Current per Amplifier | 600 nA typical |
| Maximum Quiescent Current per Amplifier | 1 µA |
| Input Offset Voltage | Less than 3 mV typical |
| Common-Mode Rejection Ratio | 60 dB minimum |
| Input Common-Mode Range | Approximately -0.3 V to VDD + 0.3 V |
| Rail-to-Rail Output Swing | Approximately VDD - 10 mV |
| Gain Configuration | Unity-gain stable |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
MCP6042-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OUTA — Amplifier A output |
| Pin 2 | INA− — Inverting input of amplifier A |
| Pin 3 | INA+ — Non-inverting input of amplifier A |
| Pin 4 | V− — Negative supply input; connect to ground for single-supply operation |
| Pin 5 | INB+ — Non-inverting input of amplifier B |
| Pin 6 | INB− — Inverting input of amplifier B |
| Pin 7 | OUTB — Amplifier B output |
| Pin 8 | V+ — Positive supply input |
Typical Applications
MCP6042-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Conditioning, Battery Current Monitoring, Portable Instrumentation, Active Low-Frequency Filters, Low-Power Industrial Control, Programmable Gain Signal Conditioning.
Battery-Powered Sensor Conditioning
The MCP6042-I/P fits battery-powered sensor conditioning because each amplifier operates from a minimum supply of 1.6 V and consumes only 600 nA typically, with less than 1 µA maximum operating current per amplifier. Its rail-to-rail input capability preserves signal headroom near low-voltage rails, while the 14 kHz gain-bandwidth product is sufficient for many temperature, pressure, and slow biomedical-style sensor outputs. Two amplifiers can provide gain and buffering without requiring two packages. Designers should still budget for sensor current, reference current, leakage through high-impedance inputs, and board contamination, all of which may dominate a microampere-class amplifier’s power budget.
Recommended
Battery Current Monitoring
The MCP6042-I/P is appropriate for low-frequency battery-current monitoring because its less-than-3 mV typical input offset helps preserve accuracy around a low-current shunt voltage. The 600 nA typical operating current per amplifier minimizes the monitoring circuitry’s burden on the battery, while rail-to-rail input and output behavior improves usable range in single-supply systems. One channel can amplify the shunt differential, and the second can buffer a reference or filtered threshold. The practical limit is the 14 kHz gain-bandwidth product, which suits relatively slow current measurements but not high-bandwidth pulse analysis.
Recommended
Portable Instrumentation
The MCP6042-I/P suits portable instrumentation where two analog channels must remain active without consuming the power budget of a conventional dual amplifier. Its 1.6 V to 6.0 V supply range supports single-cell and low-voltage rails, and its rail-to-rail operation keeps signals usable near the positive and negative limits. The 14 kHz gain-bandwidth product is appropriate for slow pressure, temperature, position, and environmental sensors. Instrumentation designers should verify the amplifier’s offset, input bias behavior, noise, and output-swing limits against the smallest signal of interest, while noting that application-level accuracy can be dominated by sensor error and resistor tolerance.
Recommended
Active Low-Frequency Filters
The MCP6042-I/P can implement first- and second-order active filters for low-frequency sensor signals, with one amplifier available for each half of a differential or state-variable topology. Its 14 kHz typical gain-bandwidth product provides ample closed-loop bandwidth for many low-frequency measurements, and unity-gain stability supports direct follower use. The 600 nA typical current per amplifier helps limit power consumption in portable filter modules. Component selection should account for capacitor tolerances, resistor noise, gain error, and the amplifier’s finite open-loop gain; higher-order or higher-frequency filters may require a faster amplifier family.
Recommended
Low-Power Industrial Control
The MCP6042-I/P can condition slowly changing industrial control signals in distributed sensor modules, provided the -40 °C to +85 °C operating range is adequate for the installation. Its rail-to-rail input and output operation supports low-voltage control rails, and the 1.6 V minimum supply improves compatibility with battery-backed systems. The 60 dB minimum common-mode rejection ratio can help reject common-mode disturbances on differential inputs, although cable noise, ground offsets, and shielding remain system-level concerns. For continuous 24 V industrial environments, an appropriate protected front end and regulated local supply are required before the amplifier.
Recommended
Programmable Gain Signal Conditioning
The MCP6042-I/P can implement two-stage programmable gain conditioning when the required bandwidth remains well below its 14 kHz typical gain-bandwidth product. Rail-to-rail input operation is useful for signals produced by sensors powered from the same low-voltage rail, while unity-gain stability allows follower stages and feedback networks to remain straightforward. Designers should calculate closed-loop gain against the available gain-bandwidth product and include the effect of less-than-3 mV typical input offset when the smallest signals are near the noise floor. Switch resistance, capacitor charge injection, and settling time must also be included when the gain is digitally selected.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCP6042-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCP6042-E/P | MCP6043-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP | 8-pin PDIP | 8-pin PDIP |
| Number of Amplifiers | 2 amplifiers | 2 amplifiers | 1 amplifier with chip select |
| Minimum Supply Voltage | 1.6 V | 1.6 V | 1.6 V |
| Maximum Supply Voltage | 6.0 V | 6.0 V | 6.0 V |
| Gain-Bandwidth Product | 14 kHz typical | 14 kHz typical | 14 kHz typical |
| Quiescent Current per Amplifier | 600 nA typical | 600 nA typical | 600 nA typical |
| Input Offset Voltage | Less than 3 mV typical | Less than 3 mV typical | Less than 3 mV typical |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | Extended-temperature grade; exact limits require datasheet confirmation | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Two independent low-power amplifiers in one through-hole package (vs MCP6043-I/P)
- Low quiescent current for portable operation (vs MCP6042-E/P)
- Single-supply compatibility down to 1.6 V (vs MCP6042-E/P)
Design Notes
Confirm the complete power budget before using the MCP6042-I/P in a battery design. Each amplifier draws 600 nA typically and less than 1 µA maximum, but the dual device includes two amplifier channels. The resulting amplifier current can approach 1.2 µA typical for the complete IC. Include sensor, reference, resistor-divider, leakage, and indicator currents in the system budget, and confirm that the selected supply remains above 1.6 V under worst-case loading.
Place the supply bypass capacitor as close as practical to pins 4 and 8, with a short ground return to the V− connection. The manufacturer datasheet provides the authoritative recommended-capacitor values and layout guidance. In a dual-supply circuit, decouple both rails; in a single-supply circuit, connect V− to the ground plane near the device. Avoid routing high-current return paths beneath sensitive amplifier inputs to reduce ground-potential errors.
Do not treat the rail-to-rail designation as permission to leave the input or output indefinitely at either supply rail. Although the input and output stages extend close to the rails, the published common-mode and output-swing limits must be respected for accurate operation. Likewise, less-than-3 mV typical input offset can be significant when resolving very small signals. Include offset, noise, resistor error, and sensor accuracy in the end-to-end error budget.
For high-impedance sensor inputs, use short traces, clean boards, and guarding where appropriate. The low 600 nA operating current makes the part attractive for leakage-sensitive measurements, but board contamination and humidity can still dominate the error budget. Keep both amplifier inputs away from switching nodes and supply regulators, and use a single ground reference to minimize ground-loop potential in battery and industrial installations.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified pages did not expose definitive RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declarations. The operating-temperature suffix I indicates the industrial temperature grade, not AEC-Q100 qualification.