MCP4011T-202E/SN

Overview

The MCP4011T-202E/SN is a volatile, 6-bit digital potentiometer manufactured by Microchip Technology in an 8-SOIC package. It features a nominal resistance of 2.1 kΩ with 64 taps and a typical wiper resistance of 70 Ω. The device operates on a supply voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V for logic and 2.7V to 5.5V for resistor characteristics. Control is managed via a simple Up/Down (U/D) serial interface with a Chip Select (CS) pin. Key electrical specifications include a maximum static current of 1 µA when inactive and high-voltage tolerant inputs up to 12.5V.

Feature Summary

• 6-bit resolution providing 63 resistors with taps to Terminal A and Terminal B
• Simple Up/Down (U/D) serial control interface requiring minimal pins
• High-voltage tolerant digital inputs capable of handling up to 12.5V
• Low power consumption with 1 µA maximum static current in inactive state

Applications

• Volume control in audio circuits
• Gain adjustment in instrumentation amplifiers
• Voltage reference trimming
• Programmable biasing in analog front-ends

Procurement Notes

Verify the 'T' suffix indicates tape and reel packaging and the 'SN' suffix confirms the 8-SOIC package. Confirm the 'E' suffix denotes the extended temperature range (-40°C to +125°C). Ensure the order matches the specific resistance value code '202' for 2.1 kΩ. Check for RoHS compliance status if required by local regulations.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a volatile memory type is acceptable, as settings are lost upon power loss. Choose the 2.1 kΩ variant if lower impedance is needed for higher bandwidth applications, noting the 4 MHz typical -3 dB bandwidth. Ensure the control interface supports U/D signaling rather than SPI or I2C. Verify that the 12.5V input tolerance meets the system's control line voltage requirements.

Part Context

This part belongs to the MCP4011/2/3/4 family of low-cost 64-step digital potentiometers. The MCP4011 specifically refers to the potentiometer configuration, whereas other variants like MCP4012 are rheostats. All members share similar electrical characteristics but differ in terminal configurations and package options such as SOT-23, MSOP, and DFN.

Replacement Considerations

Direct replacements within the same family include MCP4011T-502E/SN (5 kΩ), MCP4011T-103E/SN (10 kΩ), and MCP4011T-503E/SN (50 kΩ). Cross-family alternatives from other manufacturers require verification of interface compatibility (U/D vs. SPI/I2C) and pinout alignment.