MCP2140-I/SO

Controllers Overview

The MCP2140-I/SO is an IrDA standard protocol stack controller manufactured by Microchip Technology, housed in an 18-pin SOIC package. It implements the complete IrDA protocol stack including IrLAP, IrLMP, IAS, TinyTP, and IrCOMM (9-wire cooked service class). The device features a fixed communication baud rate of 9600 baud for both its UART interface and infrared port, requiring a 7.3728 MHz clock source. It operates on a supply voltage range of 3.3 V to 5 V with a typical operating current of 2.2 mA during active IR communication. The component supports industrial temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C and includes automatic low power mode functionality consuming less than 60 µA when no IR activity is present.

Controllers Feature Summary

• Implements the full IrDA standard protocol stack including IrLAP, IrLMP, IAS, TinyTP, and IrCOMM services.
• Provides hardware UART-to-IrDA encoder/decoder functionality for seamless integration with standard UARTs.
• Supports bidirectional communication with CRC implementation and fixed 9600 baud data rates.
• Features automatic low power mode that reduces current consumption significantly during periods of inactivity.

Controllers Applications

• Implementing wireless connectivity for portable computing devices such as PDAs and laptops.
• Enabling infrared communication for legacy serial devices like printers and modems via IrCOMM emulation.
• Adding IrDA compliance to embedded systems requiring reliable, cable-free data exchange.

Controllers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'I/SO' corresponds to the industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and the 18-pin SOIC package type. Confirm that the required 7.3728 MHz crystal or resonator is included in the system design, as the MCP2140 does not contain an internal oscillator. Ensure the host microcontroller UART settings match the fixed 9600 baud rate requirement for proper data transmission.

Controllers Selection Notes

Select this component when a dedicated IrDA protocol stack controller is needed to offload processing from the main CPU. It is suitable for applications requiring point-to-point infrared links where standard IrDA compatibility is mandatory. Consider the discrete optical transceiver circuit requirements if using non-integrated IR modules, as the MCP2140 interfaces directly with the transceiver's control pins rather than providing integrated RF stages.

Controllers Part Context

The MCP2140 belongs to Microchip's family of IrDA Stack Controllers designed to simplify the implementation of infrared standards. Unlike general-purpose interface ICs, it specifically handles the physical layer encoding/decoding and higher-layer protocol management defined by the IrDA organization. This specialization allows designers to add certified wireless connectivity without implementing complex state machines in software.

Controllers Replacement Considerations

Direct substitutes include other variants within the MCP2140 family such as the MCP2140AT-I/SO or MCP2140-I/SS, provided the package type and temperature rating meet the design requirements. Verify pinout compatibility and electrical specifications before swapping between DIP, SOIC, or SSOP packages.