MCP4351T-104E/ST

Data Acquisition - Digital Potentiometers consist of devices whose resistive element can be electrically adjusted, or programmed, by an external digital control signal in order to produce a desired output resistance. MCP4351T-104E/ST is one of such digital potentiometers.

Application field of MCP4351T-104E/ST

MCP4351T-104E/ST is an integrated Digital Potentiometer IC, typically used in various kinds of applications. Specifically, it can be used in:

• Portable electronic equipment like cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs, etc., where a small, accurately adjustable voltage divider is required.
• Hardware that requires fine adjustment, such as audio control and D/A converter gain control.
• Automotive applications including emission control and HVAC control.
• Industrial and home automation, where it can be used for automatic adjustable control.

Working Principle of MCP4351T-104E/ST

The MCP4351T-104E/ST consist of two 6-bit digital potentiometers with a ±25 kΩ and a ±50 kΩ adjustment range, respectively. Each of the two digital potentiometer sections is composed of a variable resistor between two end terminals and a wiper terminal which allows the user to select a resistance between the two terminals. The variable resistor can be electronically adjusted between 0 Ω and the desired maximum resistance of either ±25 kΩ or ±50 kΩ by applying a serial data word from a digital logic system. The adjustable resistor can be used to produce a voltage divider, programmable gain amplifier, or as part of a transimpedance amplifier.

The MCP4351T-104E/ST is digitally controlled, which means a serial communication interface can be used to program the desired resistance setting. The serial communication interface is typically SPI-like, which means it\'s a 4-wire interface consisting of SCK (clock), CS (chip select), SDI (serial data input) and SDO (serial data output). The resistance setting is programmed by sending 8-bits of data in two 4-bit words (WR1 & WR2) through the SDI pin. The first 4 bits control the resistance of the upper channel and the second 4 bits control the resistance of the lower channel.

The SPI-like interface also provides external access to the digital potentiometers, allowing the user to read the current resistance settings through the SDO pin. To maximize accuracy, the resistance is temperature compensated to prevent changes in the resistance setting due to changes in temperature. In addition, the MCP4351T-104E/ST is designed to minimize the effects of noise, crosstalk and other interference, which can influence the operation of the digital potentiometer.

Conclusion

MCP4351T-104E/ST is a digital potentiometric device with integrated adjustments of ±25kOhm and ±50kOhm. It can be used in various kinds of applications such as portable electronic equipment, audio control and hardware that requires fine adjustment. The device also has a 4-wire SPI-like interface and can be used to program and read the resistance setting. The device\'s temperature compensation feature ensures accurate performance and reduces noise, crosstalk and other interference.