Renesas X9258US24

Overview

X9258US24 from Intersil is a quad digital potentiometer IC integrating four 256-tap, 50kΩ resistor arrays with volatile wiper counter registers and four non-volatile data registers per channel, operated via 2-wire (I²C-compatible) interface, supporting dual analog supplies (V+ = +2.7V to +5.5V, V− = −2.7V to −5.5V), and used for precision gain/offset trimming in audio and sensor signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9258US24 datasheet, X9258US24 pinout, X9258US24 application, or X9258US24 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, SOIC-24 pin mapping, real-world use cases in programmable filters and bias control, and two confirmed alternative parts with documented functional and parametric differences.

Technical Context

The X9258US24 implements four independent resistor arrays-each with 255 segments and 256 tap points-controlled by an 8-bit wiper counter register (WCR) decoded to select one CMOS switch per array. Wiper position is set via direct write, register transfer (DR→WCR), or increment/decrement commands over the 2-wire bus.

Each potentiometer features four non-volatile data registers (DR0–DR3) with 100-year data retention and 100,000-cycle endurance; DR0 loads automatically into the WCR at power-up. The device supports hardware write protection (WP pin) and operates across VCC = 2.7V–5.5V, V+ = ±2.7V–±5.5V, with wiper resistance of 40Ω typical at ±5V supplies.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 24-lead SOIC (300 mil), RoHS-compliant, M24.3 footprint. Pin 1 marked with dot; pins 1–12 on top row left-to-right, pins 13–24 on bottom row right-to-left (standard SOIC orientation).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ10 and MCP4641T-503E/ST, the X9258US24 uniquely supports true bipolar analog operation (V+/V−), integrates hardware write protection, and delivers lower typical wiper resistance (40Ω vs. ≥100Ω), making it irreplaceable in precision AC-coupled and rail-to-rail analog systems requiring guaranteed nonvolatile state retention.

Availability

X9258US24 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio signal conditioning, sensor offset calibration, programmable filter tuning, and multi-channel power supply trimming requiring stable component supply and long-term calibration integrity.

Supply support for X9258US24 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 (now part of Renesas Electronics) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for power management, precision analog, and interface applications.

The X9258 product line was designed for digitally programmable analog signal conditioning in industrial, medical, and test equipment-emphasizing nonvolatile configuration storage, bipolar operation, and robust I²C control in compact packages.

FAQ

What is the absolute maximum voltage rating on the V+ and V− pins of the X9258US24?

The X9258US24 specifies absolute maximum ratings of +10V on V+ and −10V on V−, with a maximum differential (V+) − (V−) of 12V. However, the recommended operating range is +2.7V to +5.5V for V+ and −2.7V to −5.5V for V−. Exceeding these recommended limits-even briefly-may cause irreversible damage or parametric shift. Always ensure V+ and V− ramp within 1ms of each other during power-up.

Does the X9258US24 support true I²C bus compliance, including clock stretching and multi-master arbitration?

The X9258US24 implements a 2-wire serial interface compatible with I²C protocol timing (400kHz max clock, defined tHIGH/tLOW, ACK/NACK), but it does not support clock stretching or multi-master arbitration. It operates strictly as a slave device with fixed 8-bit addresses (0x50–0x5F). Host controllers must manage bus contention externally; the X9258US24 will not hold SCL low to delay transactions.

How does the hardware write protect (WP) pin function during nonvolatile register writes on the X9258US24?

When the WP pin is held low, all nonvolatile write operations-including Write Data Register, XFR WCR to DR, and Global XFR instructions-are disabled. The X9258US24 ignores the command and does not initiate internal high-voltage programming. WP must be high (typically pulled to VCC via 10kΩ) for any DR register update to proceed. This prevents accidental corruption of calibrated settings during firmware updates or brown-out events.

Can the X9258US24 be used as a two-terminal variable resistor, and what are the design implications?

Yes, the X9258US24 can operate as a two-terminal variable resistor by connecting either VH/RH or VL/RL to the wiper (VW/RW) and using the remaining terminal as the second connection point. In this mode, total resistance equals the wiper position value times RTOTAL/256, but wiper resistance (40Ω typ.) becomes part of the effective series resistance-critical in low-impedance current-sensing or precision shunt applications where added R_W degrades accuracy.

What is the power-up behavior of the X9258US24 wiper position, and how is it controlled?

At power-up, the X9258US24 automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) for each potentiometer into its corresponding volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR), establishing the initial wiper position. This occurs only after all three supplies (VCC, V+, V−) reach stable values within 1ms. No host communication is required-DR0 serves as the "default" setting, enabling predictable analog behavior immediately after reset.