MCP41HV51-103E/MQ

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The MCP41HV51-103E/MQ is a single-channel, high-voltage digital potentiometer from the MCP41HVX1 family. It features an 8-bit resolution with 256 taps and a nominal resistance of 10 kΩ (RAB). The device supports dual power rails, allowing analog terminal voltages up to +36V relative to V-, while the digital interface operates on VL from 1.8V to 5.5V. It utilizes a standard SPI serial interface for control and contains volatile memory that resets to code 7Fh upon power-on or brown-out events.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• High-Voltage Analog Support: Terminal voltage range up to +36V (DGND = V-) or ±18V (DGND = V- + 18V).
• Dual Power Rails: Analog supply (V+/V-) up to 36V; Digital supply (VL) from 1.8V to 5.5V.
• SPI Interface: Supports 10 MHz clock speeds in Modes 0,0 and 1,1.
• Wiper Current Capability: Supports up to 12.5 mA continuous current for the 10 kΩ variant.

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• High-voltage signal attenuation and gain control.
• Programmable biasing for operational amplifiers and sensors.
• Voltage reference adjustment in industrial instrumentation.
• Calibration of measurement systems requiring isolated high-voltage handling.

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the package marking and datasheet revision when sourcing. Confirm that the application circuit provides separate analog and digital ground references if utilizing the full ±18V capability. Ensure the SPI controller supports the required voltage levels for VL.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this model for applications requiring 10 kΩ resistance with 8-bit precision. Choose the MQ suffix for the VQFN-20 package. If non-volatile memory retention is required across power cycles, consider the MCP41HV61 series instead. Verify that the wiper current does not exceed 12.5 mA for the 10 kΩ configuration.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This component belongs to the MCP41HVX1 family, which includes variants with different resolutions (7-bit/8-bit), interfaces (SPI/I2C), and resistance values. The '51' designation indicates 8-bit resolution, 'HV' denotes high-voltage support, and 'MQ' specifies the VQFN-20 package type.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

The MCP41HV31-103E/MQ offers identical electrical characteristics but with 7-bit resolution (128 taps). The MCP41HV61-103E/MQ provides the same performance with non-volatile memory. Cross-referencing pinouts and voltage ratings is essential when substituting.

Digital Potentiometers FAQ

What is the default wiper setting after power-up?

Upon power-on reset or brown-out reset, the volatile wiper register initializes to the mid-scale value of 7Fh (hexadecimal).

Can the device operate with a negative analog supply?

Yes, the system can be implemented as a dual rail (±18V) where DGND is referenced to V- + 18V, allowing the analog terminals to swing between -18V and +18V.

What is the maximum wiper current for the 10 kΩ version?

The maximum continuous current into or out of the wiper terminal (IW) for the 10 kΩ device is 12.5 mA.