Microchip Technology , a provider of microcontroller and analogue semiconductors, has introduced new MCP4141/2, MCP4241/2, MCP4161/2 and MCP4261/2 (MCP41XX/42XX) non-volatile digital potentiometers.
The new 7- and 8-bit devices have an SPI interface and are specified over the extended industrial temperature range of -40 to 125° Celsius. They are available in several industry-standard packages, including the popular 3 mm x 3 mm DFN package.
Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP41XX/42XX devices can be controlled digitally, through an SPI interface. This increases system accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput, while decreasing manufacturing costs. Non-volatile memory enables the devices to retain their settings at power down, and their low static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (µA), maximum, helps to extend battery life.
Designers can now benefit from using Microchip’s low-power digital potentiometers over the popular SPI interface. The MCP41XX/42XX family enables designers to enjoy the numerous benefits associated with digital potentiometers.
With extended temperature range operation and availability in many industry-standard packages, the devices are expected to help designers meet and exceed demands for smaller, better and less-expensive designs.
The MCP41XX/42XX digital potentiometers are well suited for a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications, such as power-supply trim and calibration, set-point and process control, closed-loop servo control, PC peripherals, portable instrumentation, instrumentation offset adjust and signal conditioning.
Packaging and availability:
MCP4141/2
- 8-pin SOIC, MSOP, PDIP and 3mm x 3mm DFN packages
MCP4241
- 10-pin 4mm x 4mm QFN package
- 14-pin SOIC, PDIP, TSSOP packages
MCP4242
- 8-pin 3mm x 3mm DFN package
- 10-pin MSOP package
MCP4161/2
- 8-pin 3mm x 3mm DFN, MSOP, PDIP and SOIC packages
MCP4261/2
- 8-pin MSOP, PDIP, SOIC and 3mm x 3mm DFN packages