Renesas X9271TV14Z

Overview

X9271TV14Z from Intersil (now Renesas) is a single-supply, low-power, 256-tap digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) with SPI interface, 50kΩ end-to-end resistance, ±20% tolerance, and 14-lead TSSOP package. It functions as a programmable three-terminal potentiometer or two-terminal variable resistor for precision analog trimming in voltage regulators, sensor signal conditioning, and audio gain control.

For engineers reviewing the X9271TV14Z datasheet, X9271TV14Z pinout, X9271TV14Z application, or X9271TV14Z equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, SPI timing constraints, wiper position retention behavior, nonvolatile register architecture, and real-world circuit-level use cases including LCD contrast adjustment and RF bias trimming.

Technical Context

The X9271TV14Z implements a 255-element CMOS resistor ladder with decoded 8-bit Wiper Counter Register (WCR) controlling switch selection to RH/RL terminals. Its SPI interface supports three-byte read/write, two-byte transfer, and indeterminate-length increment/decrement commands, all requiring CS low and HOLD/WP high during operation.

Power-up loads DR0 into the volatile WCR; nonvolatile writes to 16 data registers require up to 10ms and are monitored via the WIP bit. Wiper resistance is 150Ω typical at VCC = 5V, and standby current is ≤3µA - enabling battery-powered applications without sacrificing resolution (0.4%) or linearity (±1 MI absolute).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 14-lead TSSOP (4.4mm width), RoHS-compliant, Pb-free plus anneal finish.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD5241BRMZ10 and MCP41010-I/P, the X9271TV14Z uniquely combines SPI compatibility, 50kΩ resistance optimized for voltage-divider applications, 16 nonvolatile registers for multi-point calibration storage, and hardware write protection - making it suitable for industrial systems requiring secure, persistent analog configuration.

Availability

X9271TV14Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LCD display calibration, RF power amplifier biasing, sensor signal conditioning, and voltage regulator trimming requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges (-40°C to +85°C).

Supply support for X9271TV14Z 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 (acquired by Renesas Electronics in 2017) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and power management ICs for industrial, communications, and computing markets.

The X9271TV14Z belongs to Intersil's XDCP™ (eXternally Digitally Controlled Potentiometer) family, designed specifically for replacing mechanical potentiometers in precision analog trimming applications where reliability, programmability, and nonvolatile configuration storage are essential.

FAQ

What is the default wiper position loaded at power-up for the X9271TV14Z?

The X9271TV14Z loads the contents of Data Register 0 (DR0) into its volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR) upon power-up. This behavior ensures repeatable startup conditions. DR0 is factory-programmed to 0x00 unless customized, resulting in RW connecting to RL at power-on. The X9271TV14Z does not retain the last wiper position written during prior operation unless explicitly stored to DR0 before power-down.

Does the X9271TV14Z support daisy-chaining multiple devices on a single SPI bus?

Yes, the X9271TV14Z supports daisy-chaining via its SO and SI pins, which are both three-state capable. When configured with SO tied to the next device's SI, serial data propagates through the chain. Each device uses its A0/A1 pins to decode its unique 2-bit address within the 8-bit slave ID, ensuring only the targeted X9271TV14Z responds to commands. This reduces GPIO count in multi-potentiometer systems.

How long does a nonvolatile write operation take on the X9271TV14Z?

A nonvolatile write operation on the X9271TV14Z takes 5ms typical and up to 10ms maximum to complete. During this time, the Write-in-Progress (WIP) bit in the Status Register remains high and must be polled to confirm completion before issuing subsequent commands. The X9271TV14Z does not support write abort; interrupting VCC or CS during this window may corrupt register contents.

Can the X9271TV14Z be used with analog voltages exceeding VCC?

No. The X9271TV14Z requires that VCC be greater than or equal to all analog voltages applied to RH, RL, or RW pins (i.e., VCC ≥ VH, VL, VW). Exceeding this condition risks latch-up or permanent damage. For applications requiring rail-to-rail analog swing, external level-shifting or clamping circuitry must be added - the X9271TV14Z itself is not rated for overvoltage operation on its potentiometer terminals.

What is the maximum allowable clock frequency for SPI communication with the X9271TV14Z?

The maximum SPI clock frequency for the X9271TV14Z is 2.5MHz, as specified in the AC timing table. Operating above this limit violates setup/hold timing margins and may result in command corruption or incomplete register transfers. At 2.5MHz, the minimum clock cycle time is 500ns, with high/low times each ≥200ns. Lower frequencies are fully supported and recommended for noisy environments or long trace layouts.