Renesas X9116WS8I-2.7

Overview

X9116WS8I-2.7 from Intersil is a solid-state, nonvolatile digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) designed for precision trimming in industrial-grade analog circuits. It features 16 wiper taps, 10kΩ end-to-end resistance, 2.7V to 5.5V supply operation, and a 3-wire up/down serial interface - enabling replacement of mechanical trimmers in voltage divider, gain-setting, and offset calibration applications.

For engineers reviewing the X9116WS8I-2.7 datasheet, X9116WS8I-2.7 pinout, X9116WS8I-2.7 application, or X9116WS8I-2.7 equivalent, key selection considerations include its -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, <1µA standby current, nonvolatile wiper position retention, and SOIC-8 package compatibility with legacy PCB layouts requiring low-power, stable resistance tuning.

Technical Context

The X9116WS8I-2.7 implements a 15-segment linear resistor array with CMOS "make-before-break" switching to drive the wiper terminal (VW/RW). Wiper positioning is controlled via edge-triggered INC input synchronized with U/D direction logic and CS-selectable store operations into EEPROM.

Its architecture supports power-up recall of the last stored tap position, enabling deterministic startup behavior. The device operates without external clock or address lines - relying solely on three digital control signals (U/D, INC, CS) and two fixed terminals (VH/RH, VL/RL) to emulate a 3-terminal potentiometer or 2-terminal variable resistor.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-lead SOIC (M8.15), 3.9mm × 4.9mm body, 1.27mm pitch, RoHS-compliant Pb-free option available.

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 X9116WS8I-2.7 offers the lowest standby current (<1µA), native SOIC-8 industrial-grade packaging, and simplest 3-wire up/down control - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, low-power, and space-constrained trimming where minimal GPIO count and deterministic startup behavior are critical.

Availability

X9116WS8I-2.7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, sensor signal conditioning, and programmable power supply applications requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9116WS8I-2.7 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 precision power management, interface, and data conversion ICs.

The X9116 family was developed to deliver robust, nonvolatile digital trimming capability for analog circuits - targeting industrial, instrumentation, and telecom applications where mechanical potentiometer reliability and temperature stability are insufficient.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for the X9116WS8I-2.7?

The X9116WS8I-2.7 operates from 2.7V to 5.5V on VCC. This extended low-voltage capability allows direct interfacing with 3.3V systems and single-cell Li-ion batteries without level-shifting. Its design maintains full functionality-including wiper movement, EEPROM store, and nonvolatile recall-across this entire range, unlike earlier 5V-only variants.

Does the X9116WS8I-2.7 retain its wiper position after power loss?

Yes, the X9116WS8I-2.7 stores the last wiper position in nonvolatile EEPROM memory. Upon power-up, it automatically recalls that value and sets the wiper to the previously stored tap position. This behavior is guaranteed over 100,000 store cycles and 100 years of data retention, eliminating the need for external memory or initialization routines in host firmware.

How many wiper positions does the X9116WS8I-2.7 support?

The X9116WS8I-2.7 supports 16 discrete wiper positions (0 through 15), corresponding to 15 equal resistor segments in its internal ladder. Each step represents approximately 6.25% of total resistance, delivering 6% typical resolution. Absolute linearity is ±1 MI (minimum increment), and relative linearity is ±0.2 MI - verified across the full -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range.

What package type is used for the X9116WS8I-2.7?

The X9116WS8I-2.7 uses an 8-lead SOIC package (JEDEC MS-012-AA, drawing M8.15), measuring 3.9mm × 4.9mm with 1.27mm lead pitch. It is RoHS-compliant and available in both standard and Pb-free plus anneal versions. This footprint matches legacy mechanical potentiometer replacement layouts and supports automated reflow assembly per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020 MSL Level 1.

Can the X9116WS8I-2.7 replace a mechanical potentiometer directly?

Yes, the X9116WS8I-2.7 is designed as a drop-in replacement for 10kΩ mechanical trimmers in 3-terminal voltage divider or 2-terminal variable resistor configurations. Its VH/RH, VL/RL, and VW/RW terminals map directly to mechanical potentiometer terminals. No circuit redesign is needed - only addition of three digital control lines (U/D, INC, CS) and a VCC/VSS pair for operation and storage.