AD8400AR50

Overview

The AD8400AR50 is a single-channel, 256-position digital potentiometer from Analog Devices. It operates on a single supply voltage ranging from 2.7 V to 5.5 V and features a nominal resistance of 50 kΩ with a temperature coefficient of 500 ppm/°C. The device utilizes a 3-wire SPI-compatible serial interface for data input, supporting update rates up to 10 MHz. It includes a power shutdown mode consuming less than 5 μA and an active-low reset pin that forces the wiper to midscale. Packaged in SOIC-8, it functions as an electronic replacement for mechanical potentiometers.

Feature Summary

• Single-channel variable resistor with 256 programmable positions
• Nominal resistance of 50 kΩ with ±1% channel-to-channel matching tolerance
• 3-wire SPI-compatible serial interface with 10 MHz data loading rate
• Power shutdown current less than 5 μA

Applications

• Mechanical potentiometer replacement
• Programmable filters, delays, and time constants
• Volume control and panning
• Line impedance matching
• Power supply adjustment

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'AR50' against the manufacturer's official ordering guide to confirm the exact resistance value (50 kΩ) and package type (SOIC-8). Ensure compatibility with the required operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. Confirm that the volatile memory architecture meets system requirements, as settings are lost upon power loss unless maintained by the supply.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a single-channel digital solution is required with a 50 kΩ nominal resistance. The 50 kΩ version offers a bandwidth of 125 kHz at -3 dB, suitable for moderate-speed applications. Compare against the 10 kΩ or 100 kΩ variants if different bandwidth or settling time characteristics are needed. Ensure the system logic levels align with the specified VIH and VIL thresholds for 3 V or 5 V operation.

Part Context

The AD8400 is part of the AD8400/AD8402/AD8403 family of digital potentiometers. While the AD8402 provides dual channels and the AD8403 offers four channels, the AD8400 specifically integrates a single variable resistor in a compact SOIC-8 package. All devices in the series share similar serial interface protocols and electrical characteristics, differing primarily in channel count and package lead counts.

Replacement Considerations

Direct functional replacements within the same family include other AD8400 variants with different resistance values (e.g., AD8400AR10, AD8400AR100) or the AD8400AR1. For multi-channel needs, consider the AD8402 or AD8403, though pinouts and package sizes will differ significantly.