Renesas X9258US24Z-2.7

Overview

X9258US24Z-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, and 50kΩ end-to-end resistance. It integrates four independent digitally controlled potentiometers on a single monolithic CMOS die, each with volatile wiper counter registers and four nonvolatile data registers, enabling precise analog parameter tuning in mixed-signal systems.

For engineers reviewing the X9258US24Z-2.7 datasheet, X9258US24Z-2.7 pinout, X9258US24Z-2.7 application, or X9258US24Z-2.7 equivalent, this device supports low-noise, low-power, and high-reliability analog trimming in battery-powered instrumentation, programmable gain amplifiers, and multi-channel sensor signal conditioning where dual-supply operation and nonvolatile wiper recall are required.

Technical Context

The X9258US24Z-2.7 implements four independent resistor arrays-each with 255 discrete segments and 256 tap points-controlled by 8-bit wiper counter registers (WCRs). Each WCR drives CMOS switches selecting one wiper position, with power-up auto-loading from Data Register 0 (DR0).

It uses a standard 2-wire serial interface with slave address 0101xxxx₂, supports up to 16 devices on one bus via A0–A3 address inputs, and features hardware write protection (WP pin) to prevent unintended nonvolatile register writes. All four potentiometers share the same SCL/SDA interface and control logic.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

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

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5242BRUZ10 and MCP42050-I/P, the X9258US24Z-2.7 uniquely supports true dual-supply analog operation (±2.7V to ±5.5V), making it the only option among the three for precision bipolar signal conditioning without level-shifting circuitry.

Availability

X9258US24Z-2.7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for programmable gain amplifiers, multi-channel sensor calibration, battery-powered instrumentation, and audio channel balance control requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9258US24Z-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 high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for power management, precision analog, and interface applications.

The X9258 product line delivers digitally controlled potentiometers optimized for low-noise, low-power, and high-reliability analog trimming in instrumentation, industrial control, and sensor signal conditioning systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum analog supply voltage supported by the X9258US24Z-2.7?

The X9258US24Z-2.7 supports V+ down to +2.7V and V− down to −2.7V, enabling operation from ±2.7V dual supplies. This allows use in low-voltage bipolar signal chains while maintaining full 256-step resolution and nonvolatile register functionality. The device remains fully specified across this range per the FN8168 Rev 6.00 datasheet.

Does the X9258US24Z-2.7 require external pull-up resistors on SCL and SDA lines?

Yes, the X9258US24Z-2.7 requires external pull-up resistors on both SCL and SDA pins because these are open-drain outputs. Typical values range from 1.8kΩ to 10kΩ depending on bus capacitance and clock speed; the datasheet provides calculation guidelines based on bus rise time (t_R) and capacitance (C_BUS). Failure to install pull-ups will prevent I²C communication.

How does the WP pin function on the X9258US24Z-2.7?

The WP (Write Protect) pin on the X9258US24Z-2.7 is an active-low input that disables all nonvolatile writes to the Data Registers when pulled low. While WP is low, instructions like Write Data Register or XFR WCR to DR are blocked - preventing accidental corruption of calibrated settings. Volatile operations (e.g., Write WCR) remain functional regardless of WP state.

Can the X9258US24Z-2.7 be used as a two-terminal variable resistor?

Yes, the X9258US24Z-2.7 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 adjustable node. This configuration is explicitly supported in the datasheet and maintains the same 256-step resolution and nonvolatile storage capability as three-terminal potentiometer mode.

What is the wiper response time after issuing a Write Wiper Counter Register command to the X9258US24Z-2.7?

The wiper response time after issuing a Write Wiper Counter Register command to the X9258US24Z-2.7 is 10µs maximum (t_WRL), measured from instruction completion to stable output at VW/RW. This fast settling enables real-time dynamic adjustment in closed-loop control systems and high-speed calibration routines without introducing significant latency.