Renesas X9241AWP

Overview

X9241AWP from Intersil is a quad digital controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) IC integrating four independent 64-tap nonvolatile resistor arrays, each with 10kΩ end-to-end resistance, 2-wire I²C-compatible interface, and ±3mA max wiper current. It operates from 5V ±10%, supports 0°C to +70°C, and is packaged in 20-lead PDIP for analog trimming in programmable gain amplifiers.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AWP datasheet, X9241AWP pinout, X9241AWP application, or X9241AWP equivalent, key selection criteria include its 10kΩ ×4 matched potentiometer configuration, nonvolatile DR0 power-up recall, cascade capability up to 200kΩ, and compatibility with standard 2-wire bus timing at ≤100kHz.

Technical Context

The X9241AWP implements four monolithic CMOS resistor arrays-each with 63 segments and 64 tap points-controlled by volatile Wiper Counter Registers (WCR) and four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3) per channel. Wiper position is set via direct WCR write, register transfer, or increment/decrement commands.

It uses a slave-only 2-wire interface with fixed 0101xxxx binary device address prefix and user-configurable A0–A3 pins. Cascade mode (enabled via WCR bit 7) allows inter-array linking; wiper disable (bit 6) isolates VW/RW terminals. Power-up loads DR0 into each WCR.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead plastic dual in-line package (PDIP), body width 0.300", lead pitch 0.100", RoHS-compliant matte tin plating.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5204BRZ10 and MCP41010-I/P, the X9241AWP uniquely delivers quad 10kΩ pots with I²C interface, automatic DR0 power-up recall, and hardware-supported cascade mode-enabling compact, self-contained analog tuning without host intervention or additional memory.

Availability

X9241AWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for programmable gain amplifiers, audio volume controls, LCD bias trimming, and industrial sensor calibration requiring stable component supply and long-term calibration retention.

Supply support for X9241AWP 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 leader in precision analog and power management ICs, delivering high-reliability solutions for industrial, infrastructure, and consumer electronics markets.

The X9241A family was designed specifically for replacing mechanical potentiometers in digitally controlled analog signal paths-emphasizing nonvolatile configuration, multi-channel integration, and robust 2-wire interoperability.

FAQ

What is the exact end-to-end resistance value of each potentiometer in the X9241AWP?

Each of the four potentiometers in the X9241AWP is factory-configured to 10kΩ ±20%, as specified in the Ordering Information table for part number X9241AWPIZ. This value is fixed per device variant and cannot be altered post-manufacture. The X9241AWP does not support reconfiguration to other resistance values such as 2kΩ or 50kΩ - those are assigned to different ordering variants like X9241AMPZ or X9241AUPZ.

Does the X9241AWP support true I²C bus communication including ACK polling?

Yes, the X9241AWP fully supports I²C protocol semantics including START/STOP conditions, 7-bit slave addressing (with fixed 0101 prefix), and ACK polling during nonvolatile write operations. After issuing a Write Data Register command, the host can immediately poll using START + slave address; an ACK confirms completion of the internal 10ms EEPROM write cycle. This behavior is verified in Figure 1 and Section "Acknowledge Polling" of FN8164 Rev 7.00.

Can the X9241AWP wiper terminals be electrically isolated, and how is this controlled?

Yes, each wiper terminal (VW0–VW3) in the X9241AWP can be electrically isolated using the Disable Wiper (DW) bit - bit 6 of the Wiper Counter Register. When DW = 1, the corresponding wiper is disconnected from the resistor array and floats. This feature is documented in the "Cascade Mode" section (Page 9) and enables safe reconfiguration without signal injection during system idle states.

How does power-up behavior work for the X9241AWP, and what must be observed?

On power-up, the X9241AWP automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into each potentiometer's volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR), ensuring repeatable startup wiper positions. To guarantee reliable recall, the datasheet specifies a preferred power-on sequence: VCC must reach 90% of final value before applying voltage to any potentiometer pins (VH/VL/VW), and VCC ramp rate must stay within 0.2–50 V/ms (tRVCC).

Is the X9241AWP pinout compatible with other X9241A variants such as X9241AMSZ or X9241AMVIZ?

Yes - all X9241A variants, including X9241AWP, share identical 20-pin functional mapping across PDIP, SOIC, and TSSOP packages. Pin functions (SCL, SDA, A0–A3, VH0–VH3, VL0–VL3, VW0–VW3, VCC, VSS) are electrically and logically identical. Mechanical differences exist only in package outline and thermal characteristics; no redesign is needed when migrating between X9241AWP (PDIP) and X9241AWSZ (SOIC), for example.