Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated DS1844E-010+

Overview

DS1844E-010+ from Maxim Integrated is a quad-channel, volatile digital potentiometer with four independent 64-position linear resistor ladders (10 kΩ end-to-end), 2-wire/5-wire serial interface support, ±0.5 LSB absolute linearity, and operation from 2.7V to 5.5V across –40°C to +85°C. It serves as a precision analog trimming device in programmable gain amplifiers, sensor calibration circuits, and DC bias adjustment networks.

For engineers reviewing the DS1844E-010+ datasheet, DS1844E-010+ pinout, DS1844E-010+ application, or DS1844E-010+ equivalent, key selection considerations include wiper resistance (≤500 Ω), dual-interface flexibility (I²C-compatible 2-wire or shift-register 5-wire), volatile power-up behavior (wipers reset to mid-tap), and industrial temperature compliance.

Technical Context

The DS1844E-010+ implements four independent 6-bit wiper position registers controlling 63-resistor-element ladders. Each channel provides HX/LX/WX terminals with full 0–63 decimal wiper addressing via 8-bit data frames where MSB[7:6] select the potentiometer and LSB[5:0] set position. The device operates in either volatile 2-wire slave mode (I²C-compatible, up to 400 kHz) or 5-wire synchronous shift-register mode (up to 5 MHz).

Port Select (PS) pin determines interface mode: PS = low enables 5-wire control (R/W, RST, DIN, CLK, DOUT); PS = high enables 2-wire control (SDA, SCL, A0–A2 address pins). Wiper values are not retained after power loss, and all channels power up at position 32. End-terminal voltage compliance is limited to GND –0.5 V to VCC +0.5 V.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DS1844E-010+ is available in 20-pin SOIC (300-mil) and TSSOP (173-mil) packages. Pin functions differ by selected interface mode (PS pin state).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with DS1844E-010+, AD5242BRUZ10 adds non-volatility at the cost of interface flexibility and tighter linearity, while MCP42010-I/P trades dual-interface support for higher resolution and lower power - making DS1844E-010+ optimal for mixed-protocol industrial systems needing guaranteed mid-tap startup and robust analog performance.

Availability

DS1844E-010+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for programmable gain amplifiers, sensor signal conditioning circuits, and DC bias control networks requiring stable component supply, consistent parametric performance, and long-term industrial temperature reliability.

Supply support for DS1844E-010+ 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, communications, and computing applications.

The DS1844E-010+ belongs to Maxim's digital potentiometer product line, engineered for high-accuracy analog trimming in systems where software-defined calibration replaces manual adjustment - targeting test equipment, medical instrumentation, and factory automation.

FAQ

What interface protocols does the DS1844E-010+ support?

The DS1844E-010+ supports two mutually exclusive serial interfaces selected by the PS pin: a 5-wire synchronous shift-register interface (R/W, RST, DIN, CLK, DOUT) and a 2-wire I²C-compatible interface (SDA, SCL, plus A0–A2 address pins). Both allow full 64-position wiper control, but timing, pin mapping, and MCU driver requirements differ significantly. DS1844E-010+ does not support SPI or UART natively.

Does the DS1844E-010+ retain wiper settings after power cycling?

No, the DS1844E-010+ is a volatile digital potentiometer. All four wiper registers reset to position 32 (mid-tap) on power-up. This behavior ensures predictable startup conditions but requires host firmware to reinitialize wiper positions after each power cycle. DS1844E-010+ contains no EEPROM or non-volatile memory.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the DS1844E-010+ in 5-wire mode?

In 5-wire serial mode, the DS1844E-010+ supports a maximum CLK frequency of 5 MHz, as specified in the AC Electrical Characteristics table. At this rate, each 8-bit wiper update completes in ≤1.6 µs. Timing margins require tDC ≥30 ns setup and tCDH ≥0 ns hold time; actual achievable speed depends on PCB routing and drive strength.

Can the DS1844E-010+ be used as a rheostat or only as a potentiometer?

Yes, the DS1844E-010+ can be configured as either a three-terminal potentiometer (HX–WX–LX) or a two-terminal rheostat (e.g., HX–WX or WX–LX). When used as a rheostat, its temperature coefficient is 650 ppm/°C; as a voltage divider, effective TC drops to ~30 ppm/°C. Terminal connections must respect voltage limits: GND –0.5 V to VCC +0.5 V.

What are the absolute maximum ratings for DS1844E-010+ supply voltage and operating temperature?

The DS1844E-010+ has an absolute maximum supply voltage of –1.0 V to +7.0 V on any pin relative to GND, though recommended DC operation is strictly 2.7 V to 5.5 V. Its absolute maximum operating temperature is –40°C to +85°C - matching its rated industrial temperature range. Exceeding these limits risks permanent damage or accelerated parametric drift.