Dual-channel digipots pack volatile wiper register

ON Semiconductor has developed two dual-channel digitally programmable potentiometer (DPP) ICs with 256 resistor taps for fine resolution adjustment and an I?C-compatible interface for maximum interoperability.

The CAT5270 and CAT5271 feature volatile wiper register, for use with an MCU with on-chip memory for wiper recall, or for systems that do not require memory. They also provide low-noise, reliable and space-saving alternative to mechanical potentiometers with the added benefit of immunity to dust/dirt contamination and vibration. The DPP ICs are suited for high accuracy and stability for variable resistance adjustment applications in a wide range of industrial and consumer products.

The CAT5270 allows microprocessor control of up to 16 devices from a single bus, while the CAT5271 offers a single, fixed address. Both devices are available with end-to-end resistance options of 50k? and 100k? and can be used as a potentiometer or as a two-terminal, variable rheostat. The volatile wiper register for both devices is set to mid-scale on power-up.

The CAT5270 and CAT5271 are insensitive to mechanical vibrations, shock, oxidation, dust, dirt and other contamination and are a fraction of the size of mechanical potentiometers. They have a low temperature coefficient of 100ppm/°C, making them much more stable and reliable than mechanical potentiometers across a wide variety of environmental conditions.

The CAT5270 and CAT5271 digitally programmable potentiometers are supplied in 14-lead TSSOP and 10-lead MSOP packages, respectively. Pricing for quantities of 10,000 are $0.81 per unit for the CAT5270 and $0.90 per unit for the CAT5271.

For application notes on digital potentiometers click here.