MCP41010-I/SN

Overview

The MCP41010-I/SN is a single-channel, volatile digital potentiometer manufactured by Microchip Technology in an 8-pin SOIC package. It features a nominal end-to-end resistance of 10 kΩ with 256 linear tap positions controlled via a standard SPI serial interface. The device operates on a single supply voltage ranging from 2.7V to 5.5V and supports industrial temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C. Key electrical specifications include a maximum static supply current of 1 µA, a typical wiper resistance of 52 Ω at 5.5V, and a -3dB bandwidth of 1 MHz. Differential and integral non-linearities are limited to ±1/4 LSB.

Feature Summary

• Single-channel architecture with 256 linearly spaced taps for precise resistance control
• Standard SPI serial interface (Mode 0,0 and Mode 1,1) for data input
• Software shutdown feature disconnects Terminal A from the resistor stack
• Low power CMOS technology with <1 µA static supply current

Applications

• Audio equipment volume and tone control circuits
• Servo motor speed and position control systems
• Programmable gain amplifiers and signal conditioning
• Battery charging current regulation
• Communication line impedance matching

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'I/SN' corresponds to the Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and SOIC-8 surface mount package. Confirm that the component is a volatile memory type, meaning the wiper position resets to mid-scale upon power-up unless maintained by continuous power or external circuitry. Ensure the host microcontroller supports the required SPI clock frequencies up to 10 MHz.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a single-channel, 10 kΩ digital potentiometer is required. The 256-tap resolution provides approximately 39 Ω steps. Consider the MCP42010 if dual-channel operation or hardware shutdown pins are needed. Verify that the application does not require non-volatile memory retention after power loss, as this model is volatile. Ensure the PCB layout allows for proper decoupling near the VDD pin.

Part Context

This part belongs to the MCP41XXX family of single-channel digital potentiometers. It shares the same core architecture and SPI interface as the MCP42XXX series but lacks the second channel and dedicated hardware reset/shutdown pins found in the dual versions. It is designed to replace mechanical potentiometers in applications requiring remote or automated resistance adjustment.

Replacement Considerations

Public confirmed substitute part numbers are not available in the provided documentation.