AD5161BRM50

Overview

The AD5161BRM50 is a single-channel, 256-position digital potentiometer from Analog Devices. It features a nominal end-to-end resistance of 50 kΩ with a ±30% tolerance and a temperature coefficient of 45 ppm/°C. The device operates on a single supply voltage ranging from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, consuming a typical supply current of 8 µA. It offers a pin-selectable interface supporting both SPI and I2C protocols for full read/write access to the wiper register. Packaged in a compact MSOP-10 footprint (3 mm × 4.9 mm), it includes power-on preset to midscale and supports daisy-chaining via an SDO output.

Feature Summary

• 256-position adjustment with 50 kΩ nominal resistance and linear taper
• Pin-selectable SPI or I2C compatible serial interface
• Single supply operation from 2.7 V to 5.5 V with low power consumption
• Compact MSOP-10 package with address decode pin AD0 for I2C bus expansion

Applications

• Mechanical potentiometer replacement in new designs
• Transducer adjustment for pressure, temperature, position, chemical, and optical sensors
• RF amplifier biasing
• Gain control and offset adjustment circuits

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific ordering suffix against the manufacturer's official documentation to confirm the exact resistance value and packaging configuration. Ensure compatibility with the intended serial protocol by checking the state of the DIS pin during system design. Cross-reference the component marking with the datasheet to validate authenticity and revision level prior to integration.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a single-channel digital potentiometer with 50 kΩ resistance is required. The choice between SPI and I2C modes is determined by the hardware connection to the DIS pin rather than software configuration. Consider the 30% resistance tolerance and 45 ppm/°C temperature coefficient for precision applications. Verify that the operating voltage range aligns with the system's power supply rails.

Part Context

The AD5161BRM50 belongs to the AD5161 family of 256-position digital potentiometers. This series provides solid-state reliability and enhanced resolution compared to mechanical alternatives. Other variants in the family offer different resistance values such as 5 kΩ, 10 kΩ, and 100 kΩ, all sharing the same functional architecture and pinout within the MSOP-10 package.

Replacement Considerations

Direct replacements include other AD5161 variants with different resistance values if the circuit allows for adjusted scaling. For non-volatile memory requirements, consider the AD5144 series which offers similar interface options but with quad channels and NVM storage.