Renesas X9258US24I-2.7

Overview

X9258US24I-2.7 from Intersil is a quad digital potentiometer IC with 256-tap resolution per channel, 2-wire (I²C-compatible) interface, ±2.7V to ±5.5V dual analog supply range, 50kΩ end-to-end resistance, and 24-pin SOIC package. It functions as four independent digitally controlled variable resistors for precision analog signal conditioning in mixed-signal systems.

For engineers reviewing the X9258US24I-2.7 datasheet, X9258US24I-2.7 pinout, X9258US24I-2.7 application, or X9258US24I-2.7 equivalent, key selection criteria include its low 40Ω typical wiper resistance at ±5V, nonvolatile data register storage (100-year retention), <5µA standby current, and support for incremental/decremental wiper control via I²C clock pulses.

Technical Context

The X9258US24I-2.7 implements four independent resistor arrays-each with 255 segments and 256 tap points-controlled by volatile 8-bit Wiper Counter Registers (WCRs) and four nonvolatile 8-bit Data Registers (DR0–DR3) per channel. Wiper position is set via direct WCR write, DR-to-WCR transfer, or real-time increment/decrement using SCL clock edges while holding SDA high/low.

It operates with fully independent dual analog supplies (V+ = +2.7V to +5.5V, V− = −2.7V to −5.5V) and system supply VCC = 2.7V to 5.5V, enabling true bipolar operation. Hardware write protection (WP pin) disables nonvolatile writes, and device addressing uses A0–A3 inputs to support up to 16 devices on one 2-wire bus.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24-pin SOIC (300 mil, M24.3 package), RoHS-compliant, Pb-free matte tin termination. Pin 1 marked with dot; pin 12 is VSS (system ground); pins 4 and 5 are V+ and VCC respectively; pins 19 and 20 are V− and VSS.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ100 and MCP42050-I/SL, the X9258US24I-2.7 uniquely delivers true bipolar analog operation (±5.5V), hardware write protection, and I²C-compatible incremental control - making it the only option for precision, field-calibratable, rail-to-rail analog tuning in mixed-signal industrial and medical systems.

Availability

X9258US24I-2.7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical instrumentation front-ends, programmable power supply feedback, and audio signal processing requiring stable component supply and long-term calibration integrity.

Supply support for X9258US24I-2.7 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 precision analog, power management, and interface ICs for industrial, aerospace, and communications markets.

The X9258 product line was designed for high-reliability, software-configurable analog tuning in systems requiring nonvolatile calibration storage, low-noise performance, and true bipolar signal handling - targeting test equipment, medical devices, and process control instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the minimum analog supply voltage required for reliable operation of the X9258US24I-2.7?

The X9258US24I-2.7 requires V+ ≥ +2.7V and V− ≤ −2.7V for guaranteed specification compliance. Operation below these thresholds may result in increased wiper resistance, reduced linearity, or failure to retain wiper position during power-up. All three supplies (V+, V−, VCC) must stabilize within 1ms of each other to ensure correct DR0-to-WCR recall at startup.

Does the X9258US24I-2.7 support true I²C bus arbitration and multi-master operation?

No - the X9258US24I-2.7 operates strictly as an I²C slave device and does not implement bus arbitration logic. It responds only to START/STOP conditions and slave addresses matching its A0–A3 configuration. Multi-master contention must be managed externally by the system controller to avoid SDA/SCL bus conflicts.

How does the WP (Write Protect) pin affect nonvolatile writes to the X9258US24I-2.7?

When WP is driven LOW, the X9258US24I-2.7 blocks all nonvolatile write operations to its Data Registers (DR0–DR3), including Write Data Register and XFR WCR-to-DR instructions. Volatile operations (WCR writes, reads, increment/decrement) remain fully functional. This allows safe field reconfiguration while preventing accidental loss of factory calibration data.

Can the X9258US24I-2.7 be used with a single 5V supply instead of dual ±5V supplies?

Yes - the X9258US24I-2.7 supports V+ = +5V and V− = 0V (ground), enabling unipolar operation with 0–5V analog signal range. In this configuration, VLx pins connect to 0V and VHx pins to +5V; wiper output spans 0–5V linearly. Performance specifications (e.g., wiper resistance, linearity) remain valid per datasheet test conditions.

What is the maximum allowable voltage difference between VH and VL terminals on a single potentiometer of the X9258US24I-2.7?

The absolute maximum voltage difference between any VHx and VLx terminal is 12V, as defined by the (V+) − (V−) rating. For example, with V+ = +5.5V and V− = −5.5V, VH0 may be at +5.5V and VL0 at −5.5V, yielding 11V differential - within the 12V limit. Exceeding this risks permanent damage to the internal resistor array or CMOS switches.