Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Catalyst Semiconductor | Subject: CAT5251/59 and CAT 5261/69
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 18 May 2004
Dual- and quad-tap pots go digital
Catalyst Semiconductor has added four new 256-tap nonvolatile digitally programmable potentiometers (DPPs) to its family of analogue/mixed-signal integrated circuits.
Catalyst Semiconductor has added four new 256-tap nonvolatile digitally programmable potentiometers (DPPs) to its family of analogue/mixed-signal integrated circuits The CAT5251 (quad) and CAT5261 (dual, with SPI interface), and the CAT5259 (quad,) and CAT5269 (dual, with two-wire I2C-like interface), integrate four linear-taper, nonvolatile digitally programmable potentiometers in a single 24-lead package
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 7 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Each of the new DPPs features a 256-tap wiper with a series of 255 resistive elements connected between two externally accessible end points.
The end-to-end resistance is 50 or 100kohm.
On power-up, the contents of the first of four data registers for each of the four potentiometers are automatically loaded into each potentiometer's respective wiper control register.
Integral digital to analogue control is provided for initial calibration, as well as for dynamic control applications, such as those used in voltage regulator modules (VRMs).
The CAT5251/59 and CAT 5261/69 can be used as processor-controlled 8bit DACs, as potentiometers, or as two terminal-variable resistors.
The devices feature less than 1uA standby current.
They are intended for circuit level or system level adjustments in a wide variety of applications, such as power level control in laser/LED communications systems, performance parameter control in switching power supplies, and sensor calibration control in industrial automation systems.
According to Sharon Pickard, Product Manager with Spectrum, Catalyst's sales and marketing representative, the CAT5251/59 and CAT5261/69 provide the equivalent of two or four 8bit DACs in a single package, while providing the versatility and capability of a resistor divider to source and adjust either current, voltage, or gain: "Access to both ends of the resistor arrays is a big advantage", said Pickard.
"By adding inexpensive external resistors on either end terminal of the potentiometer, designers can create circuits that put all 8bits of resolution only in the required range of currents, voltage or gain".
The CAT5251, CAT5259, CAT5261 and CAT5269 are available in 24-lead SOIC and TSSOP halogen and lead free "green" packages.
The CAT5251 and CAT5259 are priced at $2.80 in 100 piece quantities; and the CAT5261 and CAT5269 are priced at $2.38 in 100 piece quantities.
Production quantities are available now.
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