CAT5251: Digital Potentiometer (POT), Quad 256-Tap, with I2C Interface

The CAT5251 is four digital POTs integrated with control logic and 16 bytes of NVRAM memory. Each digital POT consists of a series of resistive elements connected between two externally accessible end points. The tap points between each resistive element are connected to the wiper outputs with CMOS switches. A separate 8-bit control register (WCR) independently controls the wiper tap switches for each digital POT. Associated with each wiper control register are four 8-bit non-volatile memory data registers (DR) used for storing up to four wiper settings. Writing to the wiper control register or any of the non-volatile data registers is via a SPI serial bus. On power-up, the contents of the first data register (DR0) for each of the four potentiometers is automatically loaded into its respective wiper control register.The CAT5251 can be used as a potentiometer or as a two terminal, variable resistor. It is intended for circuit level or system level adjustments in a wide variety of applications. It is available in the -40°C to 85°C industrial operating temperature range.

Features
  • Four linear-taper digital potentiometers
  • 256 resistor taps per potentiometer
  • End to end resistance 50 kΩ or 100 kΩ
  • Potentiometer control and memory access via SPI interface
  • Low wiper resistance, typically 100 Ω
  • Nonvolatile memory storage for up to four wiper settings for each potentiometer
  • Automatic recall of saved wiper settings at power up
  • 2.5 to 6.0 volt operation
  • Standby current less than 1 µA
  • 1,000,000 nonvolatile WRITE cycles
  • 100 year nonvolatile memory data retention
  • Industrial temperature range
Applications
  • Audio Equipment
  • Industrial Controls
End Products
  • Automobiles
  • Industrial Equipment
Data Sheets (1)
Document TitleDocument ID/SizeRevisionRevision Date
Digital Potentiometer (POT), Quad 256-Tap, with I2C InterfaceCAT5251/D (202.0kB)9
Package Drawings (2)
Document TitleDocument ID/SizeRevision
SOIC-24, 300 mils751BK (57.1kB)revo
TSSOP24, 4.4x7.8948AR (56.4kB)A
Order Information
ProductStatusCompliancePackageMSL*ContainerBudgetary Price/Unit
CAT5251WI-00-T1Last ShipmentsPb-free Halide freeSOIC-24W751BK3Tape and Reel1000
CAT5251WI-50-T1Last ShipmentsPb-free Halide freeSOIC-24W751BK3Tape and Reel1000
CAT5251WI00Last ShipmentsPb-free Halide freeSOIC-24W751BK3Tube31
CAT5251WI50Last ShipmentsPb-free Halide freeSOIC-24W751BK3Tube31
CAT5251YI-00-T2ActivePb-free Halide freeTSSOP-24948AR1Tape and Reel2000$4.8665
CAT5251YI-50-T2ActivePb-free Halide freeTSSOP-24948AR1Tape and Reel2000$4.8665
CAT5251YI00ActivePb-free Halide freeTSSOP-24948AR1Tube62$33.3325
CAT5251YI50ActivePb-free Halide freeTSSOP-24948AR1Tube62$33.3325
Specifications
Product# of Pots# of TapsTypeControl InterfaceResistance Typ (kΩ)VH Max (V)Wiper Position MemoryVDD Max (V)
CAT5251YI-00-T24256PotentiometerSPI100VCCYes6
CAT5251YI-50-T24256PotentiometerSPI50VCCYes6
CAT5251YI004256PotentiometerSPI100VCCYes6
CAT5251YI504256PotentiometerSPI50VCCYes6
Digital Potentiometer (POT), Quad 256-Tap, with I2C Interface (202.0kB) CAT5251
SOIC-24, 300 mils CAT9555
TSSOP24, 4.4x7.8 CAT9555