Renesas X9116WM8IZ

Overview

X9116WM8IZ from Intersil is a solid-state, nonvolatile digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) designed for precision trimmer replacement in analog feedback and calibration circuits. It features 16 wiper taps across a 10kΩ linear resistor array, 3-wire up/down serial interface, operation from 2.7V to 5.5V, and <1µA standby current. It is used in industrial power supply trimming, sensor offset calibration, and DC-DC converter voltage setting where long-term stability and solid-state reliability are critical.

For engineers reviewing the X9116WM8IZ datasheet, X9116WM8IZ pinout, X9116WM8IZ application, or X9116WM8IZ equivalent, key selection considerations include its 8-lead MSOP package with Pb-free RoHS compliance, -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, nonvolatile wiper position retention, and compatibility with low-power microcontroller GPIO-driven up/down control logic.

Technical Context

The X9116WM8IZ implements a 4-bit counter driving a 15-segment resistor ladder via CMOS switches in make-before-break configuration. Wiper movement is edge-triggered on INC with direction controlled by U/D logic level, and nonvolatile storage occurs on CS high-to-low transition while INC is high - enabling deterministic power-up behavior without external memory.

Its architecture supports true three-terminal potentiometer operation (VH/VL/VW) or two-terminal variable resistor use, with wiper resistance varying from 200Ω at 5V to 1000Ω at 2.7V, and absolute linearity error bounded at ±1 MI (±0.67% of RTOTAL). The device requires no external clock or address lines, simplifying integration into space-constrained embedded systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-lead MSOP (M8.118), Pb-free plus anneal, RoHS compliant, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5171BRMZ-10 and MCP41010-I/P, the X9116WM8IZ offers the lowest system-level integration effort for GPIO-constrained industrial controllers due to its 3-wire simplicity, MSOP-8 RoHS footprint, and sub-1µA standby - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, space-limited, and battery-aware trim applications.

Availability

X9116WM8IZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supplies, sensor signal conditioning, and programmable analog front-ends requiring stable component supply, long-term calibration retention, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for X9116WM8IZ 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

Intersil Corporation (now part of Renesas Electronics) is a U.S.-based analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company specializing in power management, precision analog, and interface ICs.

The X9116WM8IZ belongs to Intersil's XDCP™ (Digitally Controlled Potentiometer) family, engineered specifically to replace electromechanical trimmers in industrial, automotive, and communications equipment where reliability, temperature stability, and nonvolatile tuning are essential.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for the X9116WM8IZ?

The X9116WM8IZ operates from 2.7V to 5.5V, supporting both 3.3V and 5V logic systems without level translation. This range is explicitly specified in the "Ordering Information" table and confirmed in the "Recommended Operating Conditions" section of the FN8160.2 datasheet. Operation outside this window may cause undefined behavior or damage. The X9116WM8IZ maintains full functionality-including wiper movement, nonvolatile store, and linearity-across the entire 2.7–5.5V span.

Does the X9116WM8IZ require an external clock or microcontroller firmware driver?

No, the X9116WM8IZ uses a self-contained 3-wire up/down interface with no external clock required. A microcontroller only needs three GPIO pins (CS, INC, U/D) and simple edge-triggered logic to increment/decrement the wiper. The X9116WM8IZ handles internal counting, decoding, and switch control autonomously. No firmware driver library is mandatory - basic timing (e.g., >4µs INC cycle time) suffices, as verified in the AC Timing table of FN8160.2.

How is wiper position stored and recalled in the X9116WM8IZ?

Wiper position is stored in on-chip nonvolatile EEPROM when CS transitions HIGH while INC is held HIGH. Upon power-up, the X9116WM8IZ automatically recalls the last stored value and configures the wiper accordingly. This behavior is guaranteed across all conditions per the "Power Up and Down Requirements" section. The X9116WM8IZ retains settings for 100 years with 100,000 write cycles, eliminating need for external memory or calibration routines.

Can the X9116WM8IZ be used as a two-terminal variable resistor?

Yes, the X9116WM8IZ supports two-terminal operation by connecting either VH/RH or VL/RL to VW/RW (e.g., shorting RH to RW), effectively creating a programmable rheostat. The datasheet confirms this in "Basic Configurations of Electronic Potentiometers" (page 7) and specifies ±1mA wiper current rating and 200–1000Ω wiper resistance. In this mode, the X9116WM8IZ replaces panel-mounted wirewound or cermet rheostats in current-setting or gain-control applications.

Is the X9116WM8IZ pin-compatible with other X9116 variants like X9116WM8I or X9116WS8IZ?

Yes, the X9116WM8IZ shares identical pinout and electrical behavior with all X9116 MSOP-8 variants (e.g., X9116WM8I, X9116WM8Z) and SOIC-8 variants (e.g., X9116WS8IZ), as confirmed by the unified Pin Descriptions and Package Drawings (M8.118 and M8.15) in FN8160.2. Differences are limited to temperature grade (-40°C to +85°C for X9116WM8IZ), supply range (2.7–5.5V), and Pb-free finish - all functionally transparent at the PCB layout level.