Renesas X9241AUVIZT1

Overview

X9241AUVIZT1 from Intersil is a quad digital controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) IC with nonvolatile storage, 2-wire I²C interface, 64-tap resolution per channel, ±3.0V to +5V terminal voltage range, and -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature rating-used for precision analog trimming in programmable power supplies and sensor calibration circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AUVIZT1 datasheet, X9241AUVIZT1 pinout, X9241AUVIZT1 application, or X9241AUVIZT1 equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, validated pin functions, confirmed cascade-mode operation, real-world use cases, and two technically documented alternative parts for design continuity.

Technical Context

The X9241AUVIZT1 integrates four independent resistor arrays (63 segments each), each with a volatile 6-bit Wiper Counter Register (WCR) and four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3). Wiper position is controlled via I²C commands including Write/Read WCR, Data Register transfer, and Increment/Decrement mode.

Each potentiometer supports cascading (e.g., Pot2→Pot3) using CM bit in WCR, enabling end-to-end resistance values from 4kΩ to 200kΩ. Terminal voltages are rated at +5V/-3.0V, wiper current limited to ±3mA for 10kΩ/50kΩ arrays, and absolute linearity is ±1 MI (RTOT/63).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead TSSOP (RoHS-compliant, Pb-free matte tin finish, MSL Level 3 per J-STD-020).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with X9241AUVIZT1, AD5242BRUZ10 offers finer granularity but lacks integrated quad architecture and cascading, while MCP42010-I/P trades nonvolatility and channel density for simpler interface and higher endurance-making X9241AUVIZT1 optimal for space-constrained, self-contained multi-pot calibration systems.

Availability

X9241AUVIZT1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for programmable power supplies, sensor calibration modules, laser diode drivers, and audio channel balancing circuits requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for X9241AUVIZT1 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 (now part of Renesas Electronics) designs precision analog and power management ICs for industrial, infrastructure, and high-reliability applications.

The X9241A series was developed to replace mechanical potentiometers in automated calibration systems-emphasizing nonvolatile storage, I²C simplicity, and robust analog performance across extended temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the resistance value configuration of each potentiometer in X9241AUVIZT1?

The X9241AUVIZT1 is factory-configured with four distinct resistance values: Pot0 = 2kΩ, Pot1 = 10kΩ, Pot2 = 10kΩ, and Pot3 = 50kΩ. This specific combination is confirmed in the Ordering Information table (Page 2, FN8164 Rev 7.00) under part marking "X9241AUVIZ" and is fixed per unit-no field reconfiguration of nominal resistance values is supported. Each array retains its assigned value regardless of cascade mode or register writes.

Does X9241AUVIZT1 support true 2-wire I²C communication, and what are the timing constraints?

Yes, X9241AUVIZT1 fully complies with standard I²C protocol: SCL and SDA operate as open-drain lines with defined setup/hold times (tSU:STA ≥4000ns, tHD:DAT = 0ns), clock frequency up to 100kHz, and ACK polling support. The device responds to slave address 0101xxxx (where A0–A3 set LSBs) and implements standard START/STOP conditions. All timing parameters-including tLOW (≥4700ns) and tR (≤1000ns)-are specified and production-tested per the datasheet.

How does power-up initialization work for X9241AUVIZT1, and what happens if VCC ramps too slowly?

On power-up, X9241AUVIZT1 automatically loads the contents of DR0 into each corresponding WCR-restoring last-saved wiper positions. This requires VCC to reach 90% of final value before potentiometer pins are energized. If VCC ramp rate falls outside 0.2–50 V/ms (tRVCC), or if glitches >100mV occur, DR0→WCR transfer may fail, leaving wipers at undefined positions. The tPUR (1ms) and tPUW (5ms) specs define minimum delays before read/write operations are valid.

Can X9241AUVIZT1 be used in bipolar signal paths, and what are the voltage limits on its terminals?

Yes, X9241AUVIZT1 supports true bipolar operation: VH/RH pins tolerate +5V, VL/RL pins tolerate -3.0V relative to VSS, and the maximum differential ΔV = |VH − VL| is 10V. This allows direct use in AC-coupled or dual-supply analog circuits (e.g., op-amp gain stages with ±2.5V rails). Wiper current is limited to ±3mA for 10kΩ/50kΩ arrays, and absolute linearity remains ±1 MI across the full voltage range.

What is the purpose of the Cascade Mode (CM) bit, and how is it enabled in X9241AUVIZT1?

The CM bit (bit 7 of the WCR) enables cascading between adjacent potentiometer arrays-e.g., setting CM=1 in WCR2 links Pot2's VL/RL to Pot3's VH/RH, creating a unified 126-segment array. Cascading requires external wiring per Figure 9 and disabling all but one wiper (via DW bit). The CM bit is written directly to the WCR using the Write WCR instruction; it is not stored in nonvolatile registers and must be re-established after power-up unless included in DR0 reload logic.