Renesas X9258US24IT2

Overview

X9258US24IT2 from Intersil (now Renesas) is a quad digital potentiometer IC implementing four independent 256-tap resistor arrays with volatile wiper counter registers and four non-volatile data registers per channel, operating from dual analog supplies (±2.7V to ±5.5V) and a 2.7V–5.5V system supply, used for precision gain/offset trimming in audio front-ends and sensor signal conditioning circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9258US24IT2 datasheet, X9258US24IT2 pinout, X9258US24IT2 application, or X9258US24IT2 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50kΩ end-to-end resistance, 2-wire I²C-compatible interface with hardware write-protect (WP), -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, and SOIC-24 package with verified VH/VL/VW terminal mapping for three-terminal potentiometer or two-terminal rheostat use.

Technical Context

The X9258US24IT2 integrates four monolithic CMOS resistor arrays, each with 255 series-connected segments and 256 selectable tap points controlled by an 8-bit wiper counter register (WCR). Each WCR is volatile and auto-loaded from Data Register 0 (DR0) at power-up.

Communication occurs via a bidirectional 2-wire bus (SCL/SDA) supporting slave addressing via A0–A3 inputs, with instruction decoding for read/write WCR/DR operations, global transfers, and real-time increment/decrement control. Nonvolatile writes to DRs require V+ ≥ 4.5V and take 5–10ms.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 24-lead SOIC (300 mil), Pb-free, RoHS compliant, M24.3 drawing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with X9258US24IT2, AD5242BRUZ100 offers higher resistance but lacks bipolar support, while MCP42050-I/P provides identical resistance but requires SPI infrastructure and lacks hardware write protection-making X9258US24IT2 optimal for precision bipolar trimming with robust nonvolatile configuration security.

Availability

X9258US24IT2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor conditioning, audio front-end trimming, programmable filter tuning, and PLC analog output scaling requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9258US24IT2 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

Renesas Electronics (formerly Intersil) is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The X9258 product line delivers digitally programmable precision resistive elements for calibration-critical analog signal chains, targeting applications where mechanical potentiometers fail due to wear, vibration, or environmental exposure.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating voltage range for the analog supplies of the X9258US24IT2?

The X9258US24IT2 supports analog supply voltages V+ = +2.7V to +5.5V and V− = −2.7V to −5.5V, enabling true bipolar operation. The absolute maximum rating for (V+) − (V−) is 12V. Exceeding these ranges risks latch-up or permanent damage. All potentiometer terminal voltages (VH, VL, VW) must remain strictly between V− and V+ at all times during operation. This specification is confirmed in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table on page 11 of FN8168 Rev 6.00.

Does the X9258US24IT2 support I²C standard-mode or fast-mode timing?

The X9258US24IT2 supports standard-mode I²C with a maximum clock frequency of 400kHz, as specified in the AC Timing table (page 13). Its tCYC minimum of 2500ns, tHIGH minimum of 600ns, and tLOW minimum of 1300ns align fully with I²C Fast Mode requirements. However, the device is characterized and guaranteed only up to 400kHz-not the 1MHz of Fast Mode Plus. All timing parameters including tSU:DAT (100ns) and tHD:DAT (30ns) are validated per FN8168 Rev 6.00, ensuring reliable communication with standard-mode microcontrollers.

How does the hardware write-protect (WP) pin function on the X9258US24IT2?

The WP pin on the X9258US24IT2 is an active-low input that disables all nonvolatile writes to the data registers (DR0–DR3) when pulled low. When WP is high (or floating, if externally pulled up), writes proceed normally. This feature prevents accidental overwrites during system operation or firmware updates. The WP function is implemented at the silicon level and does not rely on software commands. Its behavior is documented in the Pin Descriptions section (page 3) and confirmed in the Functional Description (page 4) of FN8168 Rev 6.00.

Can the X9258US24IT2 be used as a two-terminal variable resistor?

Yes, the X9258US24IT2 can be configured as a two-terminal variable resistor (rheostat) by connecting either VH or VL to VW and using the remaining terminal with the opposite rail. This is explicitly supported per the Applications section (page 1) and Block Diagram (page 1). In this mode, the effective resistance varies from near-zero (WCR = 0x00 or 0xFF) to the full 50kΩ value. Wiper resistance (40Ω typical) directly impacts minimum resistance and must be accounted for in low-resistance applications. This usage is validated in the "Principles of Operation" section (page 4).

What is the power-up behavior of the wiper position in the X9258US24IT2?

Upon power-up, the X9258US24IT2 automatically loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into each channel's volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR), establishing the initial wiper position. This recall occurs only after all three supplies (VCC, V+, V−) stabilize, with a maximum delay of 5ms before write operations and 1ms before reads (tPUW/tPUR, page 12). DR0 retains its value nonvolatily for 100 years. If DR0 was never written, default value is undefined-hence factory programming of DR0 is recommended. This behavior is detailed on pages 1, 4, and 8 of FN8168 Rev 6.00.