Renesas X9241AWPIZ

Overview

X9241AWPIZ from Intersil is a quad digital controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) IC with nonvolatile storage, 2-wire I²C interface, 64-tap resolution per channel, and four independent 10kΩ resistor arrays in a 20-lead PDIP package. It functions as a digitally programmable analog voltage divider or variable resistor for precision biasing, gain control, and offset trimming in embedded instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AWPIZ datasheet, X9241AWPIZ pinout, X9241AWPIZ application, or X9241AWPIZ equivalent, this device supports register-oriented wiper control, cascaded array configuration up to 200kΩ, power-up recall from DR0, and industrial-grade operation from 0°C to +70°C with RoHS-compliant packaging.

Technical Context

The X9241AWPIZ implements four monolithic CMOS resistor arrays-each with 63 discrete segments and 64 tap points-controlled by volatile Wiper Counter Registers (WCR) and four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3) per pot. Each WCR drives FET switches selecting one wiper position; power-up loads DR0 into the corresponding WCR.

It uses a standard 2-wire I²C-compatible interface with slave address 0101xxxx₂ (A3–A0 configurable), supports ACK polling during 10ms nonvolatile writes, and enables cascade mode via bit-7 of the WCR to link adjacent arrays electrically for extended resistance values.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead plastic DIP (PDIP), RoHS-compliant, through-hole mountable. Pin pitch: 0.300 inch (7.62 mm).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5204BRZ-10 and MCP42050-I/P, the X9241AWPIZ uniquely combines I²C compatibility, automatic DR0 recall, cascade capability, and guaranteed 10kΩ per channel-making it optimal for systems requiring deterministic startup behavior and flexible resistance scaling without firmware intervention.

Availability

X9241AWPIZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laser diode biasing, audio gain control, sensor calibration, programmable power supplies, and industrial instrumentation requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for X9241AWPIZ 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 configurable mixed-signal solutions.

The X9241A family was designed specifically for embedded systems requiring reliable, nonvolatile, digitally programmable resistance-targeting instrumentation, industrial control, and communications infrastructure where mechanical potentiometer replacement is critical.

FAQ

What is the exact resistance value per potentiometer in X9241AWPIZ?

The X9241AWPIZ is specified with four 10kΩ resistor arrays (Pot 0 = 10kΩ, Pot 1 = 10kΩ, Pot 2 = 10kΩ, Pot 3 = 10kΩ), as explicitly stated in the Ordering Information table on page 2 of FN8164 Rev 7.00. This distinguishes it from other variants like X9241AMPZ (2k/10k/10k/50k) or X9241AUPZ (50k/50k/50k/50k). The 10kΩ value applies to end-to-end resistance under nominal conditions.

Does X9241AWPIZ support I²C communication, and what are its timing limits?

Yes, X9241AWPIZ supports standard 2-wire I²C-compatible communication with a maximum SCL clock frequency of 100kHz. Key AC limits include tLOW ≥ 4700 ns, tHIGH ≥ 4000 ns, rise/fall times ≤ 1000 ns/300 ns, and noise suppression time Ti = 20 ns. These values are verified in the AC Electrical Specifications table (page 12) and ensure interoperability with standard I²C masters.

How does power-up behavior work for X9241AWPIZ?

On power-up, X9241AWPIZ automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) for each potentiometer into its respective volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR), establishing a known wiper position without host initialization. This behavior is guaranteed per the "Power-up Requirements" section (page 11) and applies specifically to X9241AWPIZ's 0°C to +70°C commercial grade operation.

Can the four potentiometers in X9241AWPIZ be cascaded, and how is it configured?

Yes, X9241AWPIZ supports cascading via the Cascade Mode (CM) bit (bit 7) in each WCR. Setting CM = 1 in WCR2 cascades Pot 2 to Pot 3; external connections require linking VL/RL of the higher-order pot to VH/RH of the lower-order one. All but one wiper must be disabled (DW bit = 1), and wiper movement crosses arrays seamlessly during increment/decrement commands.

What is the nonvolatile memory endurance and retention specification for X9241AWPIZ?

X9241AWPIZ provides 100,000 data changes per bit per register and 100 years of data retention for its 16-byte nonvolatile memory (four 4-byte registers per pot), as confirmed in the "Endurance and Data Retention" table (page 11) of FN8164 Rev 7.00. These specifications apply to the X9241AWPIZ variant and are not extrapolated from other family members.