MCP42050-I/SL

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The MCP42050-I/SL is a dual-channel digital potentiometer manufactured by Microchip Technology. It features two independent 50 kΩ resistive elements, each with 256 linear tap positions controlled via an SPI serial interface. The device operates on a single supply voltage ranging from 2.7V to 5.5V and supports industrial temperature conditions from -40°C to +85°C. Key electrical specifications include a typical wiper resistance of 175 Ω at 5.5V, a maximum static supply current of 1 µA, and ±1 LSB Integral and Differential Non-Linearity. The component utilizes volatile memory for wiper position storage.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Dual-channel architecture with 256-tap resolution per potentiometer
• SPI serial interface supporting mode 0,0 and mode 1,1
• Hardware shutdown (SHDN) pin for power saving and open-circuit functionality
• Channel-to-channel resistance matching variation less than 1%

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• Replacing mechanical potentiometers in volume control circuits
• Programmable gain amplifier configurations
• Voltage reference adjustment systems

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'I/SL' corresponds to the Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and SOIC-14 package. Confirm that the device requires volatile memory management if power loss persistence is required, as data is not retained without external non-volatile storage.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this model when dual independent channels are required within a single package. Ensure the system design accommodates the 50 kΩ nominal resistance value and the specific SPI timing requirements, particularly the clock frequency limits during daisy-chain operations. Verify that the 175 Ω wiper resistance meets the load requirements of the application circuit.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This component belongs to the MCP42XXX family of dual digital potentiometers. It shares the same core architecture and interface protocols with variants offering different resistance values, such as the MCP42010 (10 kΩ) and MCP42100 (100 kΩ). All devices in this series utilize the same 14-pin PDIP, SOIC, or TSSOP packages and support daisy-chaining capabilities.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

Direct functional substitutes within the same package and specification include the MCP42010-I/SL and MCP42100-I/SL, provided the resistance tolerance aligns with the circuit design. Other manufacturers' dual SPI digital potentiometers may require schematic adjustments due to differences in wiper resistance or interface logic levels.

Digital Potentiometers FAQ

How does the hardware shutdown feature function?

Pulling the SHDN pin low disconnects Terminal A from the resistor stack and connects the Wiper to Terminal B, effectively opening one side of the resistor while maintaining the wiper position in the register.

What is the behavior of the wiper upon power-up?

Upon power-up, the wiper position automatically resets to the mid-scale value, which corresponds to code 80h.

Can multiple MCP42050 devices be connected together?

Yes, multiple devices can be daisy-chained using the Serial Data Output (SO) pin, which outputs data on the falling edge of the clock.