CAT5171 Datasheet, PDF (7/12 Pages) ON Semiconductor – 256-Position I2C Compatible Digital Potentiometer

CAT5171
Basic Operation
The CAT5171 is a 256−position digitally controlled
potentiometer. When power is first applied, the wiper
assumes a mid−scale position. Once the power supply is
stable, the wiper may be repositioned via the I²C compatible
interface.
Programming: Variable Resistor
Rheostat Mode
The resistance between terminals A and B, R_AB, has a
nominal value of 50 kW or 100 kW and has 256 contact
points accessed by the wiper terminal, plus the B terminal
contact. Data in the 8−bit Wiper register is decoded to select
one of these 256 possible settings.
The wiper’s first connection is at the B terminal,
corresponding to control position 0x00. Ideally this would
present a 0 W between the Wiper and B, but just as with a
mechanical rheostat there is a small amount of contact
resistance to be considered, there is a wiper resistance
comprised of the R_ON of the FET switch connecting the
wiper output with its respective contact point. In CAT5171
this ‘contact’ resistance is typically 50 W. Thus a connection
setting of 0x00 yields a minimum resistance of 50 W
between terminals W and B.
For a 100 kW device, the second connection, or the first tap
point, corresponds to 441 W (R_WB = R_AB/256 + R_W = 390.6
+ 50 W) for data 0x01. The third connection is the next tap
point, is 831 W (2 x 390.6 + 50 W) for data 0x02, and so on.
Figure 11 shows a simplified equivalent circuit where the
last resistor string will not be accessed; therefore, there is
1 LSB less of the nominal resistance at full scale in addition
to the wiper resistance.
A
R_S
R_S
Wiper
Register
R_S
and
W
Decoder
R_S
B
Figure 11. CAT5171 Equivalent DPP Circuit
The equation for determining the digitally programmed
output resistance between W and B is
R_WB
+
D
256
R_AB
)
R_W
(eq. 1)
where D is the decimal equivalent of the binary code loaded
in the 8−bit Wiper register, R_AB is the end−to−end
resistance, and R_W is the wiper resistance contributed by the
on resistance of the internal switch.
In summary, if R_AB = 100 kW and the A terminal is open
circuited, the following output resistance R_WB will be set for
the indicated Wiper register codes:
Table 9. CODES AND CORRESPONDING R_WB
RESISTANCE FOR R_AB = 100 kW, V_DD = 5 V
D (Dec.)
R_WB (W)
Output State
255
99,559
Full Scale (R_AB – 1 LSB + R_W)
128
50,050
Midscale
1
441
1 LSB
0
50
Zero Scale
(Wiper Contact Resistance)
Be aware that in the zero−scale position, the wiper
resistance of 50 W is still present. Current flow between W
and B in this condition should be limited to a maximum
pulsed current of no more than 20 mA. Failure to heed this
restriction can cause degradation or possible destruction of
the internal switch contact.
Similar to the mechanical potentiometer, the resistance of
the DPP (Digitally Programmed Potentiometer) between the
wiper W and terminal A also produces a digitally controlled
complementary resistance R_WA. When these terminals are
used, the B terminal can be opened. Setting the resistance
value for R_WA starts at a maximum value of resistance and
decreases as the data loaded in the latch increases in value.
The general equation for this operation is
R_WA(D)
+
256 *
256
D
R_AB
)
R_W
(eq. 2)
For R_AB = 100 kW and the B terminal open circuited, the
following output resistance R_WA will be set for the indicated
Wiper register codes.
Table 10. CODES AND CORRESPONDING R_WA
RESISTANCE FOR R_AB = 100 kW, V_DD = 5 V
D (Dec.) R_WA (W)
Output State
255
441
Full Scale
128
50,050 Midscale
1
99,659 1 LSB
0
100,050 Zero Scale
Typical device to device resistance matching is lot
dependent and may vary by up to ±20%.
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