MAX5401EKA-T

Overview

The MAX5401EKA-T is a low-drift digital potentiometer manufactured by Analog Devices Inc. (Maxim Integrated). It features 256 tap positions within an 8-pin SOT-23 package, functioning as a digitally controlled variable resistor. The device operates on a single supply voltage ranging from +2.7V to +5.5V with an ultra-low supply current of 0.1µA. Key electrical characteristics include a low ratiometric temperature coefficient of 5ppm/°C and glitchless switching between resistor taps. It includes a power-on reset feature that sets the wiper to the midscale position upon initialization.

Feature Summary

• 256-tap digitally controlled variable resistor in an 8-pin SOT-23 package
• Ultra-low supply current of 0.1µA for battery-powered applications
• Low ratiometric temperature coefficient of 5ppm/°C for minimal drift
• Glitchless switching between resistor taps to prevent signal artifacts

Applications

• Mechanical potentiometer replacement in compact designs
• Low-drift programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuits
• Adjustable voltage reference implementations

Part Context

The MAX5401EKA-T belongs to the MAX5400/MAX5401 family of SOT-PoT™ digital potentiometers. These components are designed to replace mechanical potentiometers in space-constrained applications. The EKA suffix denotes the SOT-23-8 package, while the -T indicates tape-and-reel packaging for automated assembly processes.

Replacement Considerations

When replacing mechanical potentiometers or other digital potentiometers, verify that the target application requires 256 tap resolution and 50kΩ or 100kΩ resistance values. Ensure the operating voltage range of +2.7V to +5.5V aligns with the system design. Check interface compatibility, as this device uses a 3-Wire SPI-compatible interface.