Renesas X9241AYVZ

Overview

X9241AYVZ 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 TSSOP-20 package. It functions as four independent digitally adjustable resistors for precision analog control in embedded signal conditioning and calibration circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9241AYVZ datasheet, X9241AYVZ pinout, X9241AYVZ application, or X9241AYVZ equivalent, this device supports wiper position recall at power-up from DR0, cascaded resistor arrays up to 8kΩ, and industrial-grade operation from 0°C to +70°C - critical for stable analog tuning in programmable gain stages, sensor offset trimming, and DC bias adjustment.

Technical Context

The X9241AYVZ implements four independent CMOS resistor arrays, each with 63 segments and a 6-bit wiper counter register (WCR) decoded to select one of 64 tap points. Each potentiometer includes four nonvolatile data registers (DR0–DR3) supporting direct read/write and transfer operations via I²C.

It operates as a slave on a 2-wire bus with fixed 0101xxxx slave address prefix, A0–A3 address inputs, and supports global or per-pot transfers, increment/decrement wiper control, and cascade mode enabled by bit 7 of the WCR. Power-up loads DR0 into each WCR, ensuring deterministic startup behavior.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

20-lead Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP), RoHS-compliant, with 0.65 mm lead pitch and 6.5 mm × 4.4 mm body dimensions.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with X9241AYVZ, X9241AYVIZ offers guaranteed operation across −40°C to +85°C but shares identical electrical behavior and register mapping, while AD5241BRMZ10 reduces integration density and removes power-up determinism - making it unsuitable for systems requiring simultaneous multi-channel calibration or fail-safe analog startup.

Availability

X9241AYVZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laser diode bias control, programmable gain amplifier design, sensor offset compensation, and audio channel balance control requiring stable component supply and long-term calibration integrity.

Supply support for X9241AYVZ 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 provider of precision analog and power management ICs, acquired by Renesas Electronics in 2017; its products target industrial, infrastructure, and high-reliability embedded systems.

The X9241A family was designed for digitally programmable analog tuning in space- and reliability-constrained applications - emphasizing nonvolatile configuration, low-power operation, and robust I²C interoperability.

FAQ

What is the power-up behavior of the X9241AYVZ?

The X9241AYVZ automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into each potentiometer's volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR) upon power application. This ensures repeatable analog output at startup without host intervention. The recommended power-on sequence is VCC first, followed by potentiometer pin voltages, with VCC ramp rate between 0.2 V/ms and 50 V/ms per datasheet FN8164 Rev 7.00.

Does the X9241AYVZ support cascading of resistor arrays?

Yes, the X9241AYVZ supports cascading via the Cascade Mode (CM) bit in the WCR. When CM = 1 for Pot N, its VL/RL terminal connects externally to the VH/RH terminal of Pot N+1, enabling combined resistance (e.g., 2kΩ + 2kΩ = 4kΩ). Only one wiper remains active; others must be disabled using the DW bit. Cascading is confirmed in Figure 9 and Section "Cascade Mode" of FN8164.

What is the maximum wiper current rating for the X9241AYVZ?

The X9241AYVZ supports ±4mA maximum wiper current when configured with 2kΩ end-to-end resistance, as specified in Absolute Maximum Ratings (Page 10, FN8164 Rev 7.00). This rating applies across the full 0°C to +70°C operating range and assumes ≤10V differential (|VH − VL|) across the potentiometer terminals.

Can the X9241AYVZ operate with a 3.3V supply?

No, the X9241AYVZ requires a 5V ±10% supply (i.e., 4.5V to 5.5V) as defined in Ordering Information and Absolute Maximum Ratings. Its logic thresholds (VIH = 2.0V, VIL = 0.8V) and internal circuitry are designed for 5V operation; operation at 3.3V is not supported and may result in unreliable communication or wiper positioning.

How many nonvolatile write cycles does the X9241AYVZ support?

The X9241AYVZ guarantees 100,000 data changes per bit per register, with 100-year data retention at +25°C - verified per manufacturer characterization (Page 11, FN8164 Rev 7.00). Each of the four pots has four 8-bit nonvolatile data registers (DR0–DR3), totaling 16 bytes of EEPROM-equivalent storage.