May 4 2009
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the MCP4017/8/9 (MCP401X) family of I2C digital potentiometers. The low-power 7-bit devices feature static current consumption of just 2.5 microamperes and are specified over the extended industrial temperature range of -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. They are available in 5- and 6-pin SC-70 packages.
Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP401X devices can be controlled digitally, through an I2C interface. This eliminates the need for human interaction, which increases system reliability, accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput while decreasing manufacturing costs. Digital control also provides more system flexibility than mechanical control. Additionally, their low static current consumption helps to extend battery life in a variety of consumer and industrial applications.
"The MCP401X devices represent a significant expansion of Microchip's digital potentiometer family," said Bryan Liddiard, vice president of marketing with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "Designers' applications can also benefit from the low-power advantages of Microchip's I2C digital potentiometers."
John Austin, senior product marketing manager with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division, continued, "With extended temperature range operation and availability in many industry-standard packages, these devices are expected to help designers meet and exceed demands for smaller, more accurate and less expensive designs."
Key consumer and industrial applications for the MCP401X digital potentiometers include power-supply trim and calibration, set-point and process control, closed-loop servo control, PC peripherals, portable instrumentation, instrumentation offset adjust and signal conditioning.