Renesas X9221AUPI

Overview

X9221AUPI from Intersil is a dual digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) in 20-lead PDIP package, integrating two independent 64-tap resistor arrays with volatile wiper counter registers and four nonvolatile data registers per channel. It operates at 5V ±10%, supports -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, and uses a 2-wire I²C-compatible serial interface for wiper position control and storage. It replaces mechanical potentiometers in precision analog trimming applications such as sensor calibration and power supply feedback.

For engineers reviewing the X9221AUPI datasheet, X9221AUPI pinout, X9221AUPI application, or X9221AUPI equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, validated pin functions, confirmed industrial-grade operating conditions, and real-world use cases for analog signal conditioning and programmable gain control.

Technical Context

The X9221AUPI implements two independent 63-segment resistor arrays with decoded 6-bit wiper counter registers (WCR), enabling precise 64-position digital control of terminal-to-wiper resistance. Each array supports three-terminal potentiometer or two-terminal variable resistor configurations, with VH/RH–VL/RL voltage ranges up to ±5V and absolute linearity within ±1 MI.

Its 2-wire serial interface complies with I²C timing: fSCL ≤ 100 kHz, tLOW ≥ 4700 ns, tHIGH ≥ 4000 ns, and includes ACK polling for nonvolatile write completion detection. The device features global and per-pot register transfer instructions, increment/decrement wiper control, and power-up auto-recall from Data Register 0 (DR0).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead plastic dual-in-line package (PDIP), 0.300" wide, MDP0031 drawing, RoHS-compliant (Pb-free anneal option available).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ10 and MCP42010-I/P, the X9221AUPI uniquely delivers dual 64-tap channels with integrated nonvolatile storage in a 20-pin PDIP, enabling compact industrial designs requiring simultaneous analog parameter tuning without external memory or protocol translation.

Availability

X9221AUPI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, programmable power supply feedback, and motor drive bias adjustment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for X9221AUPI 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 semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for industrial, computing, and communications markets.

The X9221AUPI belongs to Intersil's XDCP™ family of digitally controlled potentiometers, designed specifically to replace electromechanical trimmers in harsh-environment analog systems requiring programmable, nonvolatile resistance adjustment.

FAQ

What is the maximum wiper current rating for the X9221AUPI?

The X9221AUPI specifies a maximum wiper current (IW) of ±3 mA per channel under recommended operating conditions. This rating ensures safe operation when used as a two-terminal variable resistor or three-terminal potentiometer with typical analog signal levels. Exceeding ±3 mA may degrade wiper resistance stability or accelerate wear. The X9221AUPI datasheet confirms this value in the Analog Characteristics table on page 9.

Does the X9221AUPI retain wiper positions after power cycling?

Yes - the X9221AUPI automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into the Wiper Counter Register (WCR) at power-up, ensuring repeatable startup positions. While the WCR itself is volatile, DR0 is nonvolatile and retains its value for up to 100 years. This behavior is explicitly defined in the "Power Up Requirements" section (page 10) and "Wiper Counter Register" description (page 7) of the X9221AUPI datasheet.

Can the X9221AUPI be used with a 3.3V microcontroller I²C bus?

No - the X9221AUPI requires a 5V ±10% supply (VCC = 4.5V to 5.5V) and specifies VIH(min) = 2.0V and VIL(max) = 0.8V referenced to VSS. While 3.3V logic may meet input thresholds, the device is not characterized or guaranteed for 3.3V operation. Its absolute maximum ratings and recommended operating conditions are strictly defined for 5V systems. Using it with 3.3V I²C risks unreliable communication or latch-up.

How many unique slave addresses does the X9221AUPI support?

The X9221AUPI supports 16 unique slave addresses via the A0–A3 address inputs, which define the 4 least significant bits of the 8-bit I²C address. The most significant 4 bits are fixed as 0101 (hex 0x5), resulting in base address 0x50 through 0x5F. This allows up to 16 X9221AUPI devices on a single 2-wire bus, provided each has a distinct A0–A3 combination - confirmed in the "Device Addressing" section (page 4) and Figure 1 of the X9221AUPI datasheet.

What is the wiper resistance specification for the X9221AUPI?

The X9221AUPI specifies wiper resistance (RW) as 40 Ω to 130 Ω, measured at ±1 mA wiper current. This low on-resistance ensures minimal signal path degradation when used in voltage divider or gain-setting configurations. The value is process- and temperature-dependent, and appears in the "Analog Characteristics" table (page 9) of the official X9221AUPI datasheet FN8163 Rev 2.00.