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Digitally Programmable Potentiometer

Catalyst Semiconductor has added a new 32-tap device to its family of over 35 Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP). The CAT5126 offers one-time wiper programmability via a simple two-wire serial interface, which enables system designers to set the wiper’s value after power-on and also disable the interface to prevent further adjustments. The device also offers the flexibility of not disabling the interface, in which case the system will always “power-on” to the programmed wiper position. In this mode, users can change the wiper position as necessary for the specific session and the modified value will not be stored.

Analysis

19 March 2007

byNews Desk

The CAT5126 digital programmable potentiometer offers end-to-end resistance values of 10k ohms, 50k ohms, and 100k ohms and is ideal for LCD screen adjustment; automated calibration; contrast, brightness and volume control; programmable analog functions; line impedance matching and mechanical potentiometer replacement in handheld and other space-constrained applications. The new CAT5126 digital potentiometer comes in 8-lead TDFN (2mm x 3mm) and 8-lead MSOP packages and is a pin-for-pin replacement for Maxim’s MAX5427 (100k ohms), MAX5428 (50k ohms) and MAX5429 (10k ohms) digital potentiometers.

The CAT5126 digital potentiometer is priced at $0.53 each in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples are now available. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.