CAT5241YI-50-T2

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The CAT5241YI-50-T2 is a quad digital potentiometer featuring four independent linear-taper pots with 64 taps each, controlled via an I²C interface. It integrates 16 bytes of non-volatile memory (NVRAM) to store up to four wiper settings per potentiometer, enabling automatic recall at power-up. The device operates within a supply voltage range of 2.5 V to 6.0 V and supports industrial temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C. Key electrical characteristics include a typical wiper resistance of 80 Ω at 5 V, standby current under 1 µA, and endurance of 1,000,000 write cycles with 100-year data retention.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Four independent 6-bit digital potentiometers with 64 taps and linear taper
• Integrated 16-byte NVRAM storing four wiper positions per pot for automatic power-up recall
• I²C serial interface supporting standard and fast mode (up to 400 kHz)
• Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) with 2.5 V to 6.0 V operation

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• System level adjustments in industrial control circuits
• Circuit level calibration requiring non-volatile setting storage
• Audio or signal path gain/volume control with preset levels
• Voltage reference trimming in measurement systems

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the ordering suffix 'T2' corresponds to the TSSOP-20 package and tape & reel shipping format as specified in the datasheet. Confirm the 'I' suffix indicates the Industrial temperature grade (-40°C to +85°C). Ensure the '50' designation matches the required 50 kΩ end-to-end resistance value for the specific application design.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this component when four isolated digital potentiometers are needed on a single bus. The 50 kΩ resistance value offers a balance between noise immunity and power consumption compared to lower resistance options. The inclusion of NVRAM eliminates the need for external memory if multiple calibrated states must be retained across power cycles. Verify that the system's I²C address lines (A0-A3) can accommodate the required number of devices on the bus.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This part belongs to the CAT5241 family of quad digital potentiometers. The 'Y' suffix denotes the TSSOP-20 package, while 'W' would indicate SOIC-20. The 'I' specifies the industrial temperature rating. Other variants exist with different resistance values (2.5k, 10k, 100k) and packaging options. The device replaces mechanical potentiometers in applications requiring programmable resistance and persistent configuration.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

Direct pin-compatible replacements within the same family include CAT5241WI-50-T2 (SOIC-20 package) or other resistance variants like CAT5241YI-10-T2 if resistance tolerance allows. Cross-family replacement requires verification of I²C compatibility and register mapping.