Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated DS1844S-010+TR

Overview

DS1844S-010+TR from Maxim Integrated is a quad-channel volatile digital potentiometer with 64-position resolution per channel, 10 kΩ end-to-end resistance, 2.7V–5.5V supply range, and dual-interface support (5-wire serial and 2-wire I²C-compatible). It operates across -40°C to +85°C and is used for precision gain/offset trimming in sensor signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the DS1844S-010+TR datasheet, DS1844S-010+TR pinout, DS1844S-010+TR application, or DS1844S-010+TR equivalent, key selection criteria include wiper resistance (≤500 Ω), absolute linearity (±0.5 LSB), dual serial interface flexibility, industrial temperature rating, and TSSOP-20 package compatibility with automated assembly.

Technical Context

The DS1844S-010+TR integrates four independent 63-resistor-element ladders, each with H/W/L terminals and an 8-bit register (6 bits for position, 2 bits for channel select). Wiper positions are volatile and reset to mid-scale (32) on power-up.

Interface selection is controlled by the PS pin: low enables 5-wire mode (R/W, RST, DIN, CLK, DOUT) with MSB-first 8-bit framing; high enables 2-wire mode (SDA/SCL) with slave address A2–A0 and standard I²C timing (100 kHz/400 kHz), supporting up to eight devices on one bus.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DS1844S-010+TR is housed in a 20-pin TSSOP (173-mil body width) with exposed pad for thermal management and surface-mount compatibility.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ10 and MCP42010-I/SL, DS1844S-010+TR uniquely offers hardware-selectable dual interfaces in a quad-channel TSSOP-20, making it optimal for space-constrained industrial controllers needing flexible firmware integration without nonvolatile write latency or layout redesign.

Availability

DS1844S-010+TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for sensor calibration, programmable gain stages, LED current regulation, and audio attenuation requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial-grade availability.

Supply support for DS1844S-010+TR 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 and mixed-signal ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications applications.

The DS1844 product line delivers digitally programmable resistance networks optimized for factory-trimmed analog signal conditioning, targeting applications where mechanical potentiometers fail due to vibration, contamination, or calibration drift.

FAQ

What interface protocols does the DS1844S-010+TR support?

The DS1844S-010+TR supports two hardware-selectable serial interfaces: a 5-wire shift-register mode (R/W, RST, DIN, CLK, DOUT) and a 2-wire I²C-compatible mode (SDA, SCL) with slave address pins A0–A2. Interface selection is controlled by the PS pin-low for 5-wire, high for 2-wire. Both modes allow independent wiper positioning for all four channels using 8-bit command frames, and timing is fully specified for industrial temperature operation.

Is the DS1844S-010+TR nonvolatile or volatile?

The DS1844S-010+TR is a volatile digital potentiometer: wiper positions are not retained after power removal and the device always powers up with all wipers at mid-scale (position 32). This eliminates EEPROM write-cycle limitations and ensures deterministic startup behavior critical in safety-critical analog control loops. To retain settings across power cycles, external microcontroller firmware must reinitialize DS1844S-010+TR wiper values during boot.

What is the maximum operating frequency for the 2-wire interface of the DS1844S-010+TR?

The DS1844S-010+TR 2-wire interface supports both standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) I²C clock rates, as confirmed in its AC Electrical Characteristics table. The device meets tSU:DAT ≥ 100 ns and tHD:DAT ≥ 0 ns under fast-mode conditions, enabling high-throughput wiper updates in time-sensitive calibration routines. Bus capacitance must remain ≤400 pF to maintain timing compliance at 400 kHz.

Can the DS1844S-010+TR be used as a rheostat or only as a potentiometer?

The DS1844S-010+TR can be configured as either a three-terminal potentiometer (H/W/L) or a two-terminal rheostat (W/L or W/H). When used as a rheostat, its temperature coefficient is 650 ppm/°C; as a voltage divider, effective coefficient improves to ~30 ppm/°C. Wiper resistance remains ≤500 Ω in both configurations, ensuring minimal insertion loss in current-sense or feedback paths.

What package type is used for the DS1844S-010+TR?

The DS1844S-010+TR is supplied in a 20-pin TSSOP package with 173-mil body width and exposed thermal pad. This RoHS-compliant, surface-mount package supports automated pick-and-place assembly and provides superior thermal performance versus SOIC or DIP variants. Pin pitch is 0.65 mm, and recommended PCB footprint follows Maxim's AN535 layout guidelines for signal integrity and thermal dissipation.