Introduction

The Duo MCP2515 CAN Bus Castellated Module brings dual-channel CAN bus communication to your DIY projects in a compact, castellated footprint. Building on our single-channel Nano MCP2515 CAN bus castellated module, this version packs two independent MCP2515 controllers onto one board — yet by sharing the SPI bus and a single 20MHz oscillator between both chips, the module is only 50% larger than its single-channel predecessor. Its castellated hole design allows for PCB integration using your preferred connector or quick prototyping on a breadboard.

Why two channels? A second CAN controller lets you run two communication channels in parallel. For example, one channel can run at a robust, noise-tolerant low speed for critical data, while the second handles high-rate continuous data. Or split traffic by priority or message type across two buses entirely — something we've leaned on ourselves in past projects to keep time-critical data separate from bulk telemetry. Either way, you get two CAN interfaces without doubling your board space or wiring complexity.

Features

• Dual CAN Channels: Two independent MCP2515 controllers on a single module, letting you run separate CAN buses at different speeds or split traffic by priority — ideal for combining a robust, low-rate link with a high-rate continuous data stream.
• Efficient Dual-Chip Design: Both MCP2515s share the same SPI bus and a single 20MHz oscillator, keeping the module to just 50% larger than the single-channel Nano MCP2515 despite doubling the CAN capability.
• 20MHz Crystal: A higher-frequency oscillator than the previous design, supporting higher CAN bus communication speeds.
• Slim 0.8mm PCB: Half the thickness of the original 1.6mm design, for a lighter, lower-profile module.
• Castellated Holes: Easily integrate the module into your system by soldering it directly to a PCB or using it on a breadboard.
• Connector Flexibility: Choose your preferred connector to ensure smooth integration with your design.
• SPI Interface: Communicate reliably with both MCP2515 chips over a shared SPI bus, each with its own chip-select line. For additional information, refer to the MCP2515 datasheet and other online resources.
• Power Indicator LED: Quickly confirm that the board is powered and operational.
• 120Ω Termination: Solder jumpers allow for independent bus termination on each channel with a 120Ω resistor, making it ready for integration.

Resources

Check out this excellent tutorial by Last Minute ENGINEERS for implementing the device with Arduino. While the tutorial uses a single MCP2515-based module, the same steps apply to each channel of the Duo MCP2515 CAN Bus Castellated Module: https://lastminuteengineers.com/mcp2515-can-module-arduino-tutorial

Alternatively, visit our GitHub repository to see how to implement the Nano module with an AVR128DA48 Curiosity Nano board: https://github.com/CastellatedDreams/AVR-MCP2515-CANBUS