Renesas ISL90810UAU8Z-TK

Overview

ISL90810UAU8Z-TK from Renesas (formerly Intersil) is a single-channel, digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) with I²C interface, 256-tap resolution, 50kΩ total resistance, ±0.5 LSB differential nonlinearity in voltage divider mode, and operates from 2.7V to 5.5V supply. It serves as a precision programmable resistor or voltage divider in analog signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK datasheet, ISL90810UAU8Z-TK pinout, ISL90810UAU8Z-TK application, or ISL90810UAU8Z-TK equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50kΩ end-to-end resistance, 70Ω typical wiper resistance at 3.3V, -40°C to +105°C automotive-grade temperature range, 8-lead MSOP package, and volatile wiper register with power-on mid-scale (128) default.

Technical Context

The ISL90810UAU8Z-TK implements a monolithic CMOS digital potentiometer using resistor ladders and CMOS switches, controlled exclusively via I²C bus with fixed 7-bit slave address (0x50). Its 8-bit volatile wiper register (WR) directly sets tap position (0–255), determining resistance ratios between RH–RW and RW–RL terminals.

It supports two operating modes: voltage divider (RH and RL biased at VCC and GND, RW as output) and rheostat (RW–RL or RW–RH as variable resistor). Wiper response time is 1 µs after SCL falling edge, and it features ratiometric temperature coefficient of ±4 ppm/°C in voltage divider mode with DCP register set to 0x80.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ISL90810UAU8Z-TK is housed in an 8-lead MSOP (Mini Small Outline Plastic) package per JEDEC MO-187-AA, with 0.65mm pitch, 3.0mm × 3.0mm body, and exposed pad not electrically connected.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5175BRMZ-50 and MCP45HV51-503E/MS, the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK offers superior ratiometric temperature stability (±4 vs. ±10 ppm/°C) and lower wiper resistance (70Ω vs. ≥100Ω), making it optimal for low-distortion, high-precision voltage divider roles in automotive and industrial systems where I²C is standard and nonvolatility is unnecessary.

Availability

ISL90810UAU8Z-TK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment, industrial sensor signal conditioning, and medical instrumentation requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for ISL90810UAU8Z-TK 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

Renesas Electronics Corporation is a global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power management, and SoC solutions, formed through the acquisition of Intersil in 2017.

The ISL90810UAU8Z-TK belongs to Renesas' precision analog XDCP™ (eXternally Digitally Controlled Potentiometer) family, designed specifically for replacing mechanical pots in harsh-environment applications demanding low noise, high linearity, and guaranteed startup behavior.

FAQ

What is the default wiper position of the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK at power-on?

The ISL90810UAU8Z-TK powers up with its wiper register (WR) automatically loaded to 0x80 (decimal 128), placing the RW terminal at mid-scale between RH and RL. This behavior is hardwired and occurs regardless of prior register state, ensuring deterministic startup for safety-critical systems. The ISL90810UAU8Z-TK does not retain wiper position across power cycles since it uses volatile memory only.

Does the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK support nonvolatile storage of the wiper setting?

No, the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK uses only volatile wiper register memory. It has no EEPROM or flash storage, so the wiper position resets to 128 on every power cycle. If persistent settings are required, external microcontroller firmware must reprogram the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK's WR register after each power-up sequence. This design prioritizes speed, low power, and reliability over memory retention.

What is the maximum voltage that can be applied across the RH–RL terminals of the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK?

The absolute maximum voltage across RH–RL is limited to VCC (max +6V), with voltage at any DCP pin constrained to -0.3V to VCC. For reliable operation within specifications, the RH–RL voltage should not exceed the supply rail (2.7V to 5.5V). Applying voltages beyond VCC risks latch-up or permanent damage, as confirmed by the Absolute Maximum Ratings table in the FN8234 datasheet for ISL90810UAU8Z-TK.

Can the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK be used in rheostat mode with only two terminals?

Yes, the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK supports rheostat mode by connecting either RW–RL or RW–RH as a two-terminal variable resistor. In this configuration, RH or RL is left unconnected, and resistance is adjusted via the wiper register. The device maintains ±0.5 LSB DNL and ±35 ppm/°C resistance tempco in rheostat mode, enabling precision current-setting applications such as LED bias or op-amp gain control without a third terminal.

What I²C address does the ISL90810UAU8Z-TK use, and is it configurable?

The ISL90810UAU8Z-TK uses a fixed 7-bit I²C slave address of 0x50 (1010000b), with the R/W bit appended as the LSB. This address is hardwired and not configurable via pins or registers. Multiple ISL90810UAU8Z-TK devices cannot share the same I²C bus without address collision unless isolated by multiplexers. The address is defined in the Identification Byte format (Table 1) of the FN8234 datasheet for ISL90810UAU8Z-TK.