MCP4431-502E/ST

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The MCP4431-502E/ST is a quad digital potentiometer IC featuring four independent resistor networks with I2C serial interface control. It provides 7-bit resolution, offering 128 resistance steps (129 taps) per channel. The nominal end-to-end resistance (RAB) is 5 kΩ, with a tolerance of ±20%. The device operates on a supply voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V and utilizes volatile RAM for wiper position storage. Key electrical characteristics include a typical wiper resistance of 75 Ω, a bandwidth of 2 MHz for the 5 kΩ variant, and high-voltage tolerant digital inputs up to 12.5V.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Quad Resistor Network: Four independent potentiometer channels with 7-bit resolution (129 taps).
• I2C Serial Interface: Supports Standard Mode (100 kHz), Fast Mode (400 kHz), and High-Speed modes up to 3.4 MHz.
• High-Voltage Tolerant Inputs: Digital input pins (HVC/A0, SCL, SDA, A1, RESET) tolerate voltages up to 12.5V.
• Terminal Control: Includes a Terminal Control (TCON) register allowing resistor network terminal disconnect features.

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• Audio volume control and tone adjustment circuits.
• Programmable gain amplifiers and variable attenuators.
• Voltage reference trimming and calibration systems.
• Split rail power supply applications requiring high-voltage tolerant control.

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the package designation 'ST' corresponds to the TSSOP-14 form factor as specified in the datasheet. Confirm that the system design accommodates volatile memory behavior, where wiper positions reset to mid-scale upon power loss. Ensure I2C bus timing requirements are met for the selected clock speed, particularly regarding capacitive loading limits.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this component when four independent analog resistors are required with digital control via I2C. The 5 kΩ value suits moderate current applications, while the 7-bit resolution offers a balance between precision and code count. Consider the TSSOP-14 package for space-constrained PCB layouts. Note that the MCP4431 is distinct from non-volatile variants like the MCP4441 or higher-resolution MCP4451.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This part belongs to the MCP443X/5X family of 7/8-bit volatile quad digital potentiometers manufactured by Microchip Technology. The '31' suffix indicates a 7-bit resolution potentiometer configuration, while '502' specifies the 5 kΩ resistance value. The 'E' denotes RoHS compliance, and '/ST' identifies the TSSOP-14 package type.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

For identical functionality, consider the MCP4431-103E/ST (10 kΩ) or MCP4431-503E/ST (50 kΩ). For non-volatile memory retention, substitute with MCP4441-502E/ST. For higher resolution, use MCP4451-502E/ST. Verify pin compatibility across these replacements within the same family.