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8-channel 10-bit SPI ADC

MCP3008 Reference Tables

Search the MCP3008 pin reference and manufacturer-referenced specification tables.

Package view
Selected packagePDIP-16MCP3008-I/P
Physical connections16 pinsPackage-specific numbering
Reference collection8 tables49 parameters & pin functions

Pin reference

Signal names, electrical functions and connection guidance

PDIP-16
Physical pin numbers16 pins

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MCP3008 pin functions and connections
PinSignalTypeFunction & connection
CH0Multiplexed analog inputChannel 0; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH1Multiplexed analog inputChannel 1; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH2Multiplexed analog inputChannel 2; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH3Multiplexed analog inputChannel 3; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH4Multiplexed analog inputChannel 4; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH5Multiplexed analog inputChannel 5; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH6Multiplexed analog inputChannel 6; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

CH7Multiplexed analog inputChannel 7; selected by the three channel bits in the SPI command.
Connection guidance

Connect a low-impedance signal within the selected reference range.

Single-ended: 0 to VREF. Pseudo-differential pairs are adjacent channels; IN− must stay within ±100 mV of ground.

DGNDDigital groundReturn for the SPI interface.
Connection guidance

Join to the common ground plane.

/CS/SHDNActive-LOW chip selectLOW starts a serial transaction; HIGH ends it and enters standby.
Connection guidance

Controller chip-select output with a defined HIGH idle state.

Return HIGH between conversions. A device powered up with CS LOW needs a HIGH-to-LOW sequence.

DINSerial command inputReceives the start bit, single/differential flag and channel address.
Connection guidance

Controller MOSI; data is accepted on rising SCLK edges.

DOUTSerial conversion outputReturns a null bit followed by ten conversion bits, most significant first.
Connection guidance

Controller MISO.

Data changes on falling SCLK edges. DOUT is high impedance when CS is HIGH.

SCLKSerial clockClocks command entry, acquisition and successive approximation.
Connection guidance

Controller SPI clock; use mode 0 or mode 3.

Meet the minimum effective conversion clock as well as the voltage-dependent maximum.

AGNDAnalog groundReference return for the analog conversion.
Connection guidance

Join to DGND using a quiet common ground layout.

VREFConversion referenceDefines the input span and the ideal step size VREF / 1024.
Connection guidance

A stable low-impedance reference, 0.25 V to VDD.

Reference quality and loading affect accuracy; do not leave this pin floating.

VDDSupplyPowers the converter over 2.7–5.5 V.
Connection guidance

Regulated supply with a nearby 1 µF bypass.

Match the SPI controller logic levels to this supply.

PDIP-16 · Top view · Select a pin number to open its interactive pinout.

Supply, reference and input limits

MCP3008 · selected industrial grades

Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Operating supply2.7–5.5 VADC and controller logic must be compatible
Reference input0.25 V to VDDLow-impedance source; reduced reference affects linearity
Single-ended range0 to VREFMeasured relative to analog ground
Pseudo-differential IN−−100 to +100 mVRelative to ground; not a wide common-mode differential input
Pseudo-differential IN+IN− to IN− + VREFObserve pin voltage limits as well
Selected I-grade ambient−40 to +85°CMCP3008-I/P and MCP3008-I/SL
Extended SOIC option−40 to +125°CUse the corresponding E-grade ordering option

The table separates operating conditions from absolute stress limits.

Resolution and accuracy

VDD = VREF = 5 V unless stated

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Resolution10 bitsCodes 0–1023
Ideal stepVREF / 10243.22265625 mV at 3.3 V
Integral nonlinearity±1 LSB maximum±0.5 LSB typical
Differential nonlinearity±1 LSB maximumNo missing codes over specified temperature
Offset error, I grade±1.5 LSB maximum−40 to +85°C
Offset error, extended grade±1.95 LSB maximum−40 to +125°C
Gain error±1 LSB maximumManufacturer electrical conditions
SINAD61 dB typical1 kHz signal, 0.1–4.9 V input

Ideal arithmetic does not include these device errors.

Acquisition and throughput

Supply-dependent SPI timing

Manufacturer-referenced values9 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Acquisition window1.5 SCLK periodsSource impedance must allow settling
Conversion10 SCLK periodsExcludes command and framing overhead
Maximum throughput at 5 V200 ksps3.6 MHz SPI clock, 18-clock framing
Maximum throughput at 3.3 V130 ksps2.34 MHz, characterized recommendation
Maximum throughput at 2.7 V75 ksps1.35 MHz SPI clock
Chip-select HIGH time270 ns minimumBetween conversions
CS LOW to first rising SCLK100 ns minimumSetup time
Input data setup / hold50 ns / 50 ns minimumAround rising SCLK edge
Effective conversion clockAt least 10 kHzFinish after acquisition within 1.2 ms at high temperature

The 24-clock byte-oriented example has extra framing overhead; it does not achieve the 18-clock maximum throughput.

Three-byte single-ended transfer

SPI mode 0 or mode 3

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Byte 1 transmitted0x01Seven leading zeros, then START
Byte 2 transmitted(0x08 | channel) << 4SGL = 1 followed by channel D2 D1 D0
Byte 3 transmitted0x00Clocks out the remaining result
Receive byte 1IgnoreDOUT not valid result data
Receive byte 2Keep bits 1:0Result bits B9 and B8; discard upper bits
Receive byte 3Keep all eight bitsB7 through B0
Assemble the result((RX1 & 0x03) << 8) | RX2RX indices are zero-based
After transferCS HIGHDOUT becomes Hi-Z; device enters standby

Pseudo-differential mode clears SGL. D2–D0 choose IN+; the other member of its adjacent pair is IN−.

Logic, loading and power

Manufacturer test conditions

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Digital HIGH / LOW input≥ 0.7 × VDD / ≤ 0.3 × VDDDo not assume 3.3 V logic reliably drives a 5 V ADC
Output HIGH≥ 4.1 VVDD = 4.5 V; source 1 mA
Output LOW≤ 0.4 VVDD = 4.5 V; sink 1 mA
Active current at 5 V425 µA typical; 550 µA maximumVREF = 5 V; DOUT unloaded
Standby current5 nA typical; 2 µA maximumCS = VDD = 5 V
Reference current100 µA typical; 150 µA maximumDuring conversion
Analog leakage±1 µA maximum0.001 µA typical
Sample capacitor20 pF typicalInternal sampling-switch resistance ≈ 1 kΩ

The detailed electrical table specifies 550 µA maximum active current; use it rather than the older 500 µA feature-summary value.

3.3 V controller circuit

Single-ended channel 0

Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
VDD16 and VREF15Regulated 3.3 VCommon source; VREF must not float
AGND14 and DGND9Common groundKeep analog returns quiet
Supply bypass1 µFClose to VDD and ground
Analog signal0–3.3 V into CH0 pin1Low-impedance source; unused channels grounded in the illustration
SPI wiringCS10, DIN11, DOUT12, SCLK13Controller CS, MOSI, MISO and SCLK respectively
Example SPI clock1 MHz, mode 0Three bytes per conversion; CS HIGH between transfers

Use a compatible 3.3 V controller. Input filters and buffering depend on bandwidth and source impedance.

Absolute maximum ratings

Stress limits only

Manufacturer-referenced values3 parameters

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ParameterValueConditions / notes
Supply7.0 V maximumNormal operation: 2.7–5.5 V
Any input/output−0.6 to VDD + 0.6 VReferenced to ground
Storage−65 to +150°CUnpowered

Absolute maximum ratings are not valid operating targets.

Read each value with its conditions

Typical values describe the stated test conditions. Absolute maximum ratings are stress limits, not operating targets.

Microchip Technology · DS20001295E · 2022
Official PDF datasheet

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