Electronic Trimmer Offers 7- Or 8-Bit Resolution

The Clarochip electronic trimmer is a non-volatile D/A converter offering 7 or 8 bits of resolution, which is said to double that of low-end digital trimmers and potentiometers. With a 128- or 256-step resistor ladder, an easy-to-use up/down counter or serial interface and output buffer amplifier, the devices offer designers a consistent alternative for trimming, adjusting or calibrating circuitry in a variety of settings.The units include a unity-gain amplifier to buffer the output and enable V_OUT to swing from rail-to-rail. They operate over a 2.7V to 5.5V supply range and a -40°C to 85°C industrial temperature range. In typical operation, current draw is 200 mA. During the store operation when digital input data is loaded into EEPROM, current consumption is 1.2 mA. Output is buffered to provide a low output impedance and make-before-break, “clickless” voltage transitions.