MCP4451T-104E/ST

Digital Potentiometers Overview

The MCP4451T-104E/ST is a quad digital potentiometer IC from Microchip Technology, featuring four independent resistor networks with 8-bit resolution (257 taps). It utilizes an I2C serial interface for control and employs volatile RAM memory to store wiper settings. The device supports a wide operating voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V and offers a nominal resistance of 100 kOhms per channel. Key electrical characteristics include a typical wiper resistance of 75 Ohms, a temperature coefficient of 150 ppm/°C across the extended industrial range (-40°C to +125°C), and high-voltage tolerant digital inputs up to 12.5V.

Digital Potentiometers Feature Summary

• Quad Resistor Network: Four independent channels configurable as potentiometers or rheostats with 8-bit resolution (257 taps).
• I2C Serial Interface: Supports standard (100 kHz), fast (400 kHz), and high-speed (3.4 MHz) modes with high-voltage tolerant inputs.
• Wide Operating Voltage: Functional operation from 1.8V to 5.5V, with analog characteristics specified from 2.7V to 5.5V.
• Terminal Disconnect: Features a Terminal Control (TCON) register to disconnect resistor network terminals.

Digital Potentiometers Applications

• Precision resistor network control in sensor signal conditioning circuits.
• Volume control and gain adjustment in audio processing systems.
• Programmable biasing and reference voltage generation in mixed-signal designs.
• Calibration and trimming applications requiring remote digital adjustment.

Digital Potentiometers Procurement Notes

Verify the ordering suffix 'T' indicates tape-and-reel packaging and '/ST' denotes the TSSOP-14 package. Confirm the '-104' suffix corresponds to the 100 kOhm resistance value. Ensure compatibility with the required I2C bus speed and voltage levels before procurement.

Digital Potentiometers Selection Notes

Select this component when four independent digital potentiometers are required in a compact surface-mount package. The 8-bit resolution provides 256 steps for precise adjustment. Consider the volatile memory type if power-down retention is not needed, or choose a non-volatile variant like the MCP4461 if data preservation is critical.

Digital Potentiometers Part Context

This part belongs to the MCP443X/5X family of quad digital potentiometers. The 'MCP4451' designation specifically identifies the 8-bit resolution, potentiometer configuration, and volatile memory version within the series. Other variants in the family differ by resolution (7-bit vs 8-bit), memory type (RAM vs EEPROM), and terminal configuration (Potentiometer vs Rheostat).

Digital Potentiometers Replacement Considerations

Direct pin-compatible replacements within the same package include other MCP4451 variants with different resistance values (e.g., MCP4451-502E/ST for 5kΩ, MCP4451-103E/ST for 10kΩ, MCP4451-503E/ST for 50kΩ). For non-volatile requirements, consider the MCP4461 series, though it operates from 2.7V minimum.