Renesas X9258US24ZT2

Overview

X9258US24ZT2 from Intersil is a quad digital potentiometer IC integrating four 256-tap resistor arrays with volatile wiper counter registers and four non-volatile data registers per channel, operating from dual analog supplies (±5V) and digital supply (2.7–5.5V), delivering 0.4% resolution and <5µA standby current for precision biasing in audio gain control and sensor calibration circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9258US24ZT2 datasheet, X9258US24ZT2 pinout, X9258US24ZT2 application, or X9258US24ZT2 equivalent, key selection criteria include 2-wire interface compatibility, ±5V analog rail support, 50kΩ end-to-end resistance, nonvolatile wiper storage, and SOIC-24 package footprint with hardware write protection (WP) pin.

Technical Context

The X9258US24ZT2 implements four independent 255-segment resistor arrays with CMOS switch-based wiper selection controlled by an 8-bit Wiper Counter Register (WCR); each array supports three-terminal potentiometer or two-terminal variable resistor configurations. Wiper position is set via serial 2-wire interface (SCL/SDA) using instruction opcodes that address specific potentiometers (P1:P0) and registers (R1:R0).

Power-up loads DR0 into each WCR; nonvolatile writes to DRs require high-voltage cycle (5–10ms) and are inhibited when WP = HIGH. The device supports global register transfers, incremental/decremental wiper adjustment per clock edge, and ACK polling during write cycles - all compliant with standard I²C timing at up to 400kHz.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 24-lead SOIC (300 mil), RoHS-compliant, Pb-free matte tin termination (e3).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5204BRUZ10 and MCP42050-I/SL, the X9258US24ZT2 uniquely supports true bipolar analog operation (±5V), includes hardware write protection, and delivers lower wiper resistance - making it optimal for precision, safety-critical, or mixed-signal applications where analog rail independence and nonvolatile security are mandatory.

Availability

X9258US24ZT2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, audio gain control, medical instrumentation biasing, and power supply monitoring requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9258US24ZT2 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 manufacturer specializing in high-performance analog and power management ICs for industrial, aerospace, and communications markets.

The X9258 series was designed as a low-noise, low-power quad digital potentiometer family targeting precision analog trimming in systems requiring nonvolatile storage, dual-supply operation, and robust 2-wire interface compatibility.

FAQ

What is the absolute maximum voltage rating for the V+ and V− pins of the X9258US24ZT2?

The X9258US24ZT2 specifies absolute maximum ratings of +10V on V+ and −10V on V−, with a maximum differential of 12V between them. However, the recommended operating range for X9258US24ZT2 is +4.5V to +5.5V on V+ and −5.5V to −4.5V on V−. Exceeding these limits risks permanent damage to the internal resistor arrays and CMOS switches, and violates the device's qualified performance envelope.

Does the X9258US24ZT2 support true I²C protocol compliance, including clock stretching and multi-master arbitration?

The X9258US24ZT2 implements a 2-wire serial interface compatible with standard I²C timing (400kHz max), but it does not support clock stretching or multi-master arbitration. It functions strictly as a slave device with fixed 8-bit address format (0101xxxx). Host controllers must manage bus contention externally, and timing margins must adhere to the tHIGH/tLOW specifications in the datasheet - no dynamic clock hold capability is provided.

How does the hardware write protect (WP) pin function on the X9258US24ZT2, and what happens when it is left floating?

On the X9258US24ZT2, the WP pin must be actively driven LOW to enable nonvolatile writes to Data Registers; when HIGH, all NV write commands (including XFR WCR→DR) are ignored. If left floating, WP defaults to HIGH due to internal pull-up, disabling nonvolatile storage - this prevents accidental corruption but requires explicit grounding during calibration sequences.

Can the X9258US24ZT2 be used with only a single positive supply (e.g., VCC = 5V, V+ = 5V, V− = 0V), and what impact does this have on operation?

The X9258US24ZT2 can operate with V− tied to 0V (unipolar mode), but doing so restricts the VL/RL terminals to ground-referenced use and eliminates true bipolar signal handling. Wiper output range becomes 0V to V+, and analog performance metrics like noise and linearity remain valid - however, the device's key advantage of ±5V rail independence is forfeited, and the V− pin must still be connected (not left open).

What is the wiper response time of the X9258US24ZT2 after issuing a Write Wiper Counter Register command?

The X9258US24ZT2 exhibits a wiper response time of 10µs (tWRL) after completion of the Write Wiper Counter Register instruction - defined as the delay from final SDA acknowledge to stable VW/RW output. This applies regardless of target tap position and is guaranteed across −40°C to +85°C; faster than mechanical potentiometers and sufficient for real-time closed-loop control loops.