Renesas X9401WS24Z-2.7T1

Overview

X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 from Intersil is a quad digitally controlled potentiometer (XDCP™) with 64-tap resolution per channel, 10 kΩ end-to-end resistance, SPI serial interface, and 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply operation - used for precision analog trimming in voltage regulators, amplifier gain control, and offset adjustment circuits.

For engineers reviewing the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 datasheet, X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 pinout, X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 application, or X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 equivalent, key selection criteria include nonvolatile wiper position storage, 150 Ω typical wiper resistance, <3 µA standby current, and SOIC-24 package compatibility with industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).

Technical Context

The X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 implements four independent 63-segment resistor arrays with CMOS-switched wipers controlled by volatile 6-bit Wiper Counter Registers (WCR). Each potentiometer features four 6-bit nonvolatile data registers (DR0–DR3) for persistent wiper position storage and system parameter retention.

It supports full SPI protocol compliance with rising-edge data capture on SI, falling-edge data output on SO, and hardware write protection via WP pin. The HOLD pin enables serial communication pause without resetting the command sequence, and dual address pins (A0/A1) allow up to four devices on a shared bus.

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 digitally controlled potentiometer applications.

Compared with AD5204BRUZ10 and MCP42050-I/P, the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 uniquely combines hardware write protection, 2.7 V minimum supply, and four nonvolatile registers per pot - making it optimal for industrial calibration, embedded sensor conditioning, and field-upgradable analog front-ends.

Availability

X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for voltage regulation, amplifier gain control, offset trimming, and comparator hysteresis adjustment requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 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 Corporation is a provider of precision analog and power management ICs, now part of Renesas Electronics, with focus on industrial, infrastructure, and high-reliability applications.

The X9401 product line delivers digitally programmable analog functions for system-level calibration and trimming - designed specifically for replacing mechanical potentiometers in automated test equipment, medical instrumentation, and programmable power supplies.

FAQ

What is the supply voltage range supported by the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1?

The X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, enabling compatibility with both 3.3 V and 5 V logic systems. This extended low-voltage capability distinguishes it from earlier variants like the X9401WS24IZ (5 V ±10%), and supports battery-powered or energy-efficient designs where headroom is constrained. The device remains fully functional across this range without performance degradation in resolution or wiper resistance.

How does the nonvolatile memory function in the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1?

The X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 contains four 6-bit nonvolatile data registers (DR0–DR3) per potentiometer, with 100-year data retention. Writes to these registers require a CS high-to-low transition to initiate internal high-voltage programming, completing in 5–10 ms. Power-up automatically loads DR0 into the volatile Wiper Counter Register (WCR), preserving the last calibrated setting without host intervention - essential for unattended or remote systems.

Can the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 be used as a two-terminal variable resistor?

Yes, the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 supports two-terminal variable resistor configuration by connecting either VH or VL to VW (wiper), while leaving the other terminal open or grounded. In this mode, resistance varies from near-zero (wiper at connected terminal) to RTOTAL (wiper at opposite terminal). The 150 Ω typical wiper resistance and ±300 ppm/°C temperature coefficient ensure predictable behavior in current-sensing or bias-setting applications.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1?

The HOLD pin on the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 allows pausing an active SPI transaction without resetting the command state. When asserted low while SCK is low, it freezes serial communication; returning HOLD high (with SCK still low) resumes from the exact point of interruption. This feature is valuable in multi-master systems or when host CPU must service higher-priority interrupts mid-transfer - avoiding retransmission overhead or timing-sensitive reinitialization.

Does the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 support daisy-chaining on a single SPI bus?

No, the X9401WS24Z-2.7T1 does not support true daisy-chaining because its SO pin is not tri-state configurable during read operations - it drives actively during output. However, multiple units can share one SPI bus using individual CS lines, enabled by the A0/A1 address pins that allow up to four unique slave addresses. For pin-count reduction, SI and SO may be wired together (due to SO's push-pull output and SI's input-only nature), enabling half-duplex shared-line operation with proper software framing.