MCP4451-502E/ST

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The MCP4451-502E/ST is a quad-channel, 8-bit volatile digital potentiometer IC manufactured by Microchip Technology. It features four independent resistor networks with a nominal resistance of 5 kΩ and 257 taps per channel. The device operates on an I²C serial interface supporting standard (100 kHz), fast (400 kHz), and high-speed (3.4 MHz) modes. It functions within a supply voltage range of 1.8 V to 5.5 V and includes high-voltage tolerant inputs up to 12.5 V. Packaged in a TSSOP-14 format, it supports linear taper configurations and offers terminal disconnect capabilities via the TCON register.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Quad Resistor Network: Four independent channels configurable as potentiometers or rheostats.
• High-Speed Interface: Supports I²C communication at frequencies up to 3.4 MHz.
• High-Voltage Inputs: Digital input pins tolerate voltages up to 12.5 V.
• Terminal Disconnect: Allows individual resistor network terminals to be disconnected via software control.

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• Precision resistor network control
• Sensor signal conditioning
• Split rail applications

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'E/ST' corresponds to the TSSOP-14 package and RoHS compliance status. Confirm that the '502' designation matches the required 5 kΩ resistance value for the application. Ensure the system design accounts for the volatile memory nature, which requires power-up initialization of wiper positions.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this component when four independent digital resistors are required with high-speed I²C control. The 8-bit resolution provides 256 steps for precise adjustment. Consider the 1.8 V minimum operating voltage if interfacing with low-power logic. Verify that the 5 kΩ resistance value aligns with the target circuit impedance requirements.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This part belongs to the MCP44X series of quad digital potentiometers. The '5' in the model number indicates 8-bit resolution (257 taps), distinguishing it from the 7-bit MCP443X variants. The '1' suffix denotes a potentiometer configuration, whereas '2' would indicate a rheostat-only configuration.

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

The MCP4452-502E/ST serves as a direct functional substitute if a rheostat-only configuration is acceptable. For non-volatile memory requirements, the MCP4461-502E/ST is the corresponding upgrade within the same family.