Digital Potentiometers Touted As Low-Cost Replacement For Variable Resistors

Said to perform the same electronic adjustment function as potentiometers and trimmers, the AD5200 and AD5201 are low-cost 256- and 33-position digitally controlled variable resistor devices. Packaged in 10-lead micro-SOICs, their compact size and low-power usage make them well-suited for use in communications and multimedia applications, as well as in audio/video equipment and PCMCIA cards. Measuring 3 mm x 5 mm by 1.1 mm high, the devices are designed for applications requiring potentiometer adjustments in small, hard-to-reach places. The devices have standard SPI interfaces, end-to-end terminal resistances of 10 K½ and 50 K½, and operate on single power supplies from 2.7V to 5.5V or dual supplies of ±2.7V. The 256-position resolution is for 1% accuracy smart-controller adjustment and the 33-position is for quick-adjustment, alarm-level setting applications. Pricing for the AD5200 and AD5201 is $0.90 and $0.68, respectively, each/1,000. ANALOG DEVICES INC., Wilmington, MA. (800) 262-5643.