CAT5171TBI-50GT3

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The CAT5171TBI-50GT3 is a single-channel digital potentiometer IC manufactured by onsemi. It features a linear resistance taper with a nominal value of 50 kOhms and a tolerance of ±20%. The device provides 256 discrete taps for precise resistance adjustment and utilizes an I2C serial interface for control. It operates within a supply voltage range of 2.7 V to 5.5 V, drawing a typical operating current of 300 nA. The component is housed in a SOT-23-8 package and supports an operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C. The wiper memory is volatile, requiring the resistance setting to be re-established upon power-up.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Single channel digital potentiometer with 50 kOhm nominal resistance
• 256-tap resolution controlled via I2C serial interface
• Low power consumption with 300 nA operating current
• Volatile wiper memory architecture

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• Volume control circuits
• Gain adjustment in signal conditioning
• Voltage reference trimming
• LED brightness control

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix GT3 against the manufacturer's latest datasheet to confirm packaging details and RoHS compliance status. Ensure the I2C address configuration matches the system design, as this model may support selectable addresses. Confirm that the volatile memory characteristic aligns with the application's requirement for state retention after power cycles.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this component when a single-channel, non-volatile-free digital potentiometer is required. The 50 kOhm value suits moderate impedance applications. The I2C interface minimizes pin count compared to up/down control types. Consider the 256-tap resolution for applications needing finer adjustment than standard 100-tap devices. Verify the SOT-23-8 package fits the PCB layout constraints.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This part belongs to the CAT5171 family of digital potentiometers. The 'TBI' designation typically indicates the resistance value (50k) and package type (SOT-23-8). The 'GT3' suffix denotes the tape and reel packaging format. This series offers a compact alternative to mechanical potentiometers in space-constrained designs.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

Direct replacements must match the 50 kOhm resistance, 256 taps, and I2C interface. Check if the replacement requires volatile or non-volatile memory, as the CAT5171 is volatile. Models like the CAT5171TBI-10GT3 offer different resistance values but share the same interface and package.