Renesas X9241AYPIZ

Overview

X9241AYPIZ from Intersil is a quad digital controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) IC with nonvolatile storage, 2-wire I²C interface, 64-tap resolution per channel, 2kΩ end-to-end resistance per pot, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It functions as four independent digitally adjustable resistors in a single 20-lead PDIP package, used for precision gain/offset trimming in sensor signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AYPIZ datasheet, X9241AYPIZ pinout, X9241AYPIZ application, or X9241AYPIZ equivalent, this device supports register-oriented wiper control, cascaded resistor array configuration up to 8kΩ, EEPROM-based position retention (100-year data retention), and low-power standby operation (500µA max).

Technical Context

The X9241AYPIZ implements four independent 63-element resistor arrays, each controlled by a 6-bit volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR) and backed by four nonvolatile Data Registers (DR0–DR3). Wiper position is set via I²C commands including Write WCR, Read WCR, and Increment/Decrement, with power-up auto-recall from DR0.

Each potentiometer supports terminal voltages from –3.0V to +5V, wiper current up to ±4mA (for 2kΩ arrays), and cascade mode enabled via CM bit in WCR. The device operates as a slave on a standard 2-wire bus with address pins A0–A3, SCL clock up to 100kHz, and open-drain SDA requiring external pull-up.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

20-lead plastic dual in-line package (PDIP), RoHS-compliant, designed for through-hole wave soldering only. Not suitable for reflow due to Pb-free termination constraints.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ10 and MCP42010-I/P, the X9241AYPIZ delivers unique value through its quad-channel 2kΩ topology, integrated nonvolatile register set, cascade capability for extended resistance ranges, and industrial-grade temperature performance - making it optimal for space-constrained, multi-sensor calibration systems requiring zero-footprint persistence.

Availability

X9241AYPIZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, laser diode biasing, medical front-end trimming, and audio channel balancing requiring stable component supply and long-term parametric consistency.

Supply support for X9241AYPIZ 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 solutions, now part of Renesas Electronics, with deep expertise in high-reliability mixed-signal ICs for industrial and infrastructure markets.

The X9241A family was designed specifically for replacing mechanical potentiometers in automated calibration systems, offering nonvolatile wiper positioning, I²C configurability, and robust operation across industrial temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the resistance tolerance and temperature coefficient of the X9241AYPIZ?

The X9241AYPIZ has a nominal end-to-end resistance of 2kΩ with ±20% tolerance and a temperature coefficient of ±300 ppm/°C for RTOTAL. This ensures predictable drift in industrial environments where ambient temperature varies between –40°C and +85°C. The ratiometric TC is ±20 ppm/°C, supporting stable voltage-divider behavior across temperature. These values are specified in the Analog Specifications table on page 10 of the FN8164 datasheet.

Does the X9241AYPIZ support cascading of its resistor arrays, and how is it configured?

Yes, the X9241AYPIZ supports cascading via the Cascade Mode (CM) bit in the Wiper Counter Register. When CM = 1 in WCR2, POT2 links to POT3; similarly, CM = 1 in WCR0 cascades POT0 to POT1. External wiring connects VL/RL of the higher-order pot to VH/RH of the lower-order one. Only one wiper remains enabled (DW = 0), while others are disabled. Cascading extends total resistance to 4kΩ, 6kΩ, or 8kΩ depending on configuration - confirmed in Figure 9 and Section "Cascade Mode" on page 9 of FN8164.

How does power-up initialization work for the X9241AYPIZ wiper positions?

On power-up, the X9241AYPIZ automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into each potentiometer's volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR). This ensures repeatable startup behavior without host intervention. To preserve custom wiper positions across power cycles, users must explicitly issue a Global XFR WCR to Data Register command before shutdown. Power sequencing matters: VCC must reach 90% of final value before applying signals to VH/VL/VW pins - detailed in "Power-up Requirements" on page 11 of FN8164.

What are the maximum allowable voltage ratings on the X9241AYPIZ potentiometer terminals?

The X9241AYPIZ supports terminal voltages from –3.0V to +5V on all VH/RH, VL/RL, and VW/RW pins relative to VSS. The absolute maximum voltage difference ΔV = |VH – VL| is 10V. Exceeding these limits risks latch-up or permanent damage. These ratings are defined in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table (page 10) and apply regardless of whether the device is active or in standby. Operation outside these bounds voids reliability guarantees.

Can the X9241AYPIZ be used in a 3.3V system, and what are the I/O voltage requirements?

No - the X9241AYPIZ requires a 5V ±10% supply (i.e., 4.5V to 5.5V) and is not rated for 3.3V operation. Its VIH (input high) is 2.0V minimum and VIL (input low) is 0.8V maximum, but digital logic levels must be referenced to VCC = 5V. Driving SCL/SDA from a 3.3V microcontroller is permissible only if level-shifted or pulled up to 5V, since the SDA pin is open-drain and requires a 5V pull-up to meet VOL ≤ 0.4V at IOL = 3mA. This is specified in the DC Electrical Specifications table (page 10).