Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated DS1803Z-050

Overview

DS1803Z-050 from Maxim Integrated is a dual, volatile, 256-position digital potentiometer in 16-pin SOIC (150 mil) package, operating at 3V or 5V with 50kΩ end-to-end resistance and industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). It implements two independent resistor arrays controlled via 2-wire serial interface, used for precision gain/offset adjustment in analog signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the DS1803Z-050 datasheet, DS1803Z-050 pinout, DS1803Z-050 application, or DS1803Z-050 equivalent, key selection factors include its 50kΩ resistance value, volatile wiper position (resets to 00h on power-up), 2-wire addressability via A0–A2, ultra-low active current (200μA), and SOIC-16 packaging compatible with surface-mount production.

Technical Context

The DS1803Z-050 integrates two independent 256-tap resistor arrays, each controlled by an 8-bit register accessible via I²C-compatible 2-wire bus. Address inputs A0–A2 enable up to eight devices on a shared bus, and the device operates as a slave only - no master functionality is implemented.

Each potentiometer supports read/write of wiper position, with absolute linearity ±0.75 LSB and relative linearity ±0.3 LSB. The -3 dB cutoff frequency is 200 kHz (for 50kΩ version), and wiper resistance is specified at 400–1000 Ω. The device is volatile: wiper positions are lost during power-down and reset to L0/L1 (00h) on power-up.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DS1803Z-050 is housed in a 16-pin SOIC (150 mil) surface-mount package with standard JEDEC MS-012AC footprint. Pin 1 is located at the top-left corner adjacent to the notch or dot marking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar digital potentiometer applications.

Compared with AD5204BRUZ10 and MCP42050-I/P, DS1803Z-050 offers I²C addressability for multi-device buses and SOIC-16 surface-mount compatibility, making it optimal for space-constrained industrial controllers needing coordinated dual-channel analog tuning without nonvolatile overhead.

Availability

DS1803Z-050 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, programmable power supplies, and audio signal conditioning requiring stable component supply, consistent parametric performance, and long-term manufacturability assurance.

Supply support for DS1803Z-050 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) designs precision analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications applications.

The DS1803Z-050 belongs to Maxim's digital potentiometer product line, engineered for replacing mechanical trimmers in automated calibration, gain control, and bias adjustment systems where repeatable, software-defined analog tuning is required.

FAQ

What is the resistance tolerance and temperature coefficient of DS1803Z-050?

The DS1803Z-050 has an end-to-end resistance tolerance of ±20% and a temperature coefficient of 750 ppm/°C. These values are measured at 25°C and apply across the full industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). The 750 ppm/°C drift means resistance changes by approximately 0.075% per °C - critical for applications requiring stable gain over temperature, such as precision sensor signal chains where DS1803Z-050 sets amplifier feedback ratios.

Does DS1803Z-050 retain wiper position after power loss?

No, DS1803Z-050 is a volatile digital potentiometer. Upon power removal or reset, all wiper positions revert to 00h - electrically connecting W0/W1 to L0/L1. This behavior is inherent to its architecture and is documented in the DEVICE OPERATION section. Users must reinitialize DS1803Z-050 wiper values after each power-up sequence, which ensures predictable startup conditions in safety-critical systems like DS1803Z-050-based power supply feedback networks.

What is the maximum signal voltage allowed across DS1803Z-050 terminals?

The DS1803Z-050 specifies that analog signals applied between any terminal (H, L, or W) must stay within GND–0.5V to VCC+0.5V. For a 5V supply, this limits terminal voltage swing to –0.5V to +5.5V. Exceeding these bounds risks latch-up or parametric shift. This constraint directly affects how DS1803Z-050 can be used in AC-coupled or bipolar signal paths - for example, DS1803Z-050 must be biased within the supply rails when used in single-supply op-amp configurations.

Can multiple DS1803Z-050 devices share the same I²C bus?

Yes, up to eight DS1803Z-050 devices can share one 2-wire bus using hardware address pins A0, A1, and A2. Each combination of A0–A2 ties selects a unique 3-bit address segment in the DS1803Z-050's 7-bit I²C slave address (base 0x54). This allows centralized control of multiple DS1803Z-050 units - for instance, in a multi-channel data acquisition system where each DS1803Z-050 calibrates one sensor channel under a single microcontroller's I²C interface.

What is the -3 dB bandwidth of DS1803Z-050 and how is it determined?

The DS1803Z-050 has a -3 dB cutoff frequency of 200 kHz, derived from its 50kΩ end-to-end resistance and inherent parasitic capacitance (5 pF). This bandwidth is specified in the ANALOG RESISTOR CHARACTERISTICS table and confirmed in Note 11. It defines the highest frequency at which the DS1803Z-050 maintains usable linearity in AC signal paths - for example, when DS1803Z-050 adjusts gain in an audio preamplifier stage, signals above 200 kHz will experience attenuation, preserving fidelity within the audible band.