Renesas X9241AWST1

Overview

X9241AWST1 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 10kΩ end-to-end resistance per potentiometer. It serves as a digitally programmable replacement for mechanical trimmers in precision analog biasing and calibration circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AWST1 datasheet, X9241AWST1 pinout, X9241AWST1 application, or X9241AWST1 equivalent, this device supports four independent 10kΩ resistor arrays, cascading capability up to 200kΩ, EEPROM-based wiper position retention (100-year data retention), and industrial temperature operation (–40°C to +85°C).

Technical Context

The X9241AWST1 implements four monolithic CMOS resistor arrays-each with 63 discrete segments and 64 tap points-controlled by individual volatile Wiper Counter Registers (WCR) and four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3) per channel. Its 2-wire serial interface follows standard I²C timing (f_SCL ≤ 100 kHz) with open-drain SDA and dedicated SCL, supporting address selection via A0–A3 pins.

Each potentiometer operates as either a three-terminal potentiometer or two-terminal variable resistor. Cascade mode enables inter-array linking (e.g., Pot0→Pot1→Pot2→Pot3), with CM bit control and mandatory wiper disable on all but one active array. Power-up automatically loads DR0 into each WCR.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-lead SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit), RoHS-compliant, surface-mount. Dimensions per Intersil MDP0044 spec: 6.50 mm × 6.40 mm body, 1.20 mm max height.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with X9241AWST1, AD5242BRUZ10 offers finer resolution but halves channel count and removes cascade capability, while MCP42010-I/P trades EEPROM retention and I²C compatibility for SPI simplicity and lower unit cost-neither matches the X9241AWST1's combination of quad channels, nonvolatility, and configurable array linking.

Availability

X9241AWST1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laser diode bias control, audio channel trimming, sensor signal conditioning, and industrial PLC analog input calibration requiring stable component supply and long-term calibration integrity.

Supply support for X9241AWST1 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 high-end consumer markets.

The X9241A family was designed specifically for replacing mechanical potentiometers in digitally calibrated analog signal paths-emphasizing nonvolatile configuration, I²C accessibility, and robust industrial operating margins.

FAQ

What is the resistance value per potentiometer in the X9241AWST1?

The X9241AWST1 is configured with 10kΩ end-to-end resistance for all four potentiometers (Pot 0 through Pot 3), as explicitly specified in the Ordering Information table under "POTENTIOMETER ORGANIZATION (k)" for part number X9241AWSIZ* and its tape-and-reel variant X9241AWST1. This value is fixed per device variant and not user-programmable.

Does the X9241AWST1 support I²C communication at standard-mode speed?

Yes, the X9241AWST1 supports standard-mode I²C operation up to 100 kHz (t_LOW ≥ 4700 ns, t_HIGH ≥ 4000 ns), as confirmed in the AC Electrical Specifications table. Its SDA pin is open-drain and requires an external pull-up resistor; SCL is a CMOS input compatible with standard microcontroller I²C peripherals.

How does power-up behavior work for wiper position recall in the X9241AWST1?

On power-up, the X9241AWST1 automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) for each potentiometer into its corresponding volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR). This ensures repeatable startup positions without host intervention-provided DR0 was previously written with the desired value using a nonvolatile write command.

Can the four potentiometers in the X9241AWST1 be cascaded, and what is required to enable it?

Yes, the X9241AWST1 supports cascading any adjacent pair (e.g., Pot0→Pot1) or full chain (Pot0→Pot1→Pot2→Pot3) by setting the Cascade Mode (CM) bit (bit 7) in the target WCR to "1". External wiring must connect VL/RL of the higher-order pot to VH/RH of the lower-order one, and all but one wiper must be disabled via the DW bit.

What is the maximum wiper current rating for the X9241AWST1 at 10kΩ resistance?

For 10kΩ total resistance, the X9241AWST1 specifies a maximum wiper current of ±3 mA, as stated in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table. This limit applies across the full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) and must be respected to avoid degradation of wiper switch reliability or resistance drift.