Renesas X9241AUS

Overview

X9241AUS from Intersil is a quad digital controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) IC with nonvolatile storage, 2-wire I²C-compatible interface, 64-tap resolution per channel, and 2kΩ/10kΩ/50kΩ selectable resistor arrays. It operates from 5V ±10%, supports -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, and is housed in a RoHS-compliant 20-lead SOIC package. It serves as precision programmable gain control or bias adjustment in analog front-ends.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AUS datasheet, X9241AUS pinout, X9241AUS application, or X9241AUS equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, validated pin functions, confirmed cascade-mode operation, real-world use scenarios for multi-channel calibration, and two technically documented alternative parts with explicit functional and parametric distinctions.

Technical Context

The X9241AUS implements four independent 63-element resistor arrays with volatile Wiper Counter Registers (WCR) and four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3) per channel. Each array supports three end-to-end resistance values (2kΩ, 10kΩ, 50kΩ), configurable via ordering code, and enables cascading across adjacent channels for extended resistance ranges up to 200kΩ.

It uses a standard 2-wire serial interface with slave address format 0101[A3:A0], supports ACK polling during nonvolatile writes (t_WR = 10 ms max), and features dual-mode wiper control: direct WCR write, register transfer, or real-time increment/decrement via SCL clocking. The CM bit (bit 7 of WCR) enables cascade mode; DW bit (bit 6) disables wiper output.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead SOIC (RoHS-compliant, Pb-free matte tin finish), body dimensions 7.5 mm × 12.8 mm, 1.27 mm pitch.

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 X9241AUS uniquely delivers quad-channel integration with cascading capability and factory-configurable mixed-resistance arrays (2k/10k/10k/50k), enabling compact, self-contained analog trimming without external memory or additional ICs.

Availability

X9241AUS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, telecom laser biasing, audio level control, and programmable power supply trimming requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9241AUS 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 is a leading provider of precision analog and power management ICs, now part of Renesas Electronics, with deep expertise in high-reliability industrial and infrastructure solutions.

The X9241A series was designed for embedded analog trimming applications requiring nonvolatile, multi-channel, and cascadable digital potentiometers in space-constrained industrial systems.

FAQ

What is the exact resistor value configuration for X9241AUS?

The X9241AUS is configured with four distinct potentiometer values: Pot 0 = 2kΩ, Pot 1 = 10kΩ, Pot 2 = 10kΩ, and Pot 3 = 50kΩ. This specific combination is defined in the Ordering Information table (Page 2, FN8164 Rev 7.00) and is fixed per part number - it cannot be altered post-manufacture. Each value is verified per device marking "X9241AUS Z" and matches the industrial temperature grade (-40°C to +85°C) in SOIC packaging.

Does X9241AUS support true I²C bus compliance including repeated START conditions?

Yes, X9241AUS supports full I²C protocol compliance: it recognizes START and STOP conditions, responds to 7-bit slave addresses (0101xxx), acknowledges correctly, and meets timing requirements for repeated START (t_SU:STA ≥ 4000 ns, t_HD:STA ≥ 4000 ns). Its ACK polling mechanism and 100 kHz maximum SCL frequency align with Standard Mode I²C, though it does not support Fast Mode (400 kHz) or arbitration.

How does the cascade mode function across multiple X9241AUS devices?

X9241AUS cascade mode operates only internally between its own four potentiometers - not across multiple ICs. Cascading links adjacent on-die arrays (e.g., Pot 0 to Pot 1) via external VH/VL connections. To cascade across separate X9241AUS units, external wiring and synchronized WCR updates via host MCU are required; the datasheet confirms no inter-device cascade signaling or synchronization logic is implemented.

What is the guaranteed wiper current rating for X9241AUS at 5V operation?

At 5V operation, X9241AUS guarantees ±3 mA maximum wiper current for 10kΩ and 50kΩ arrays, and ±4 mA for the 2kΩ array (Pot 0), per Absolute Maximum Ratings (Page 10). These ratings are derated linearly above 25°C and validated under steady-state DC conditions - pulsed or transient currents exceeding these limits risk irreversible wiper contact degradation.

Can X9241AUS operate with negative terminal voltages, and what are the limits?

Yes, X9241AUS supports negative terminal voltages: VH/RH, VW/RW, and VL/RL pins tolerate -3.0 V relative to VSS, as specified in Analog Specifications (Page 10). This enables bipolar signal conditioning (e.g., ±2.5 V rails) when VSS is grounded. However, ΔV = |VH − VL| must not exceed 10 V, and VCC must remain at 5V ±10%; negative VCC is not supported.