CAT5251
Quad Digital
Potentiometer (POT)
with 256 Taps
and SPI Interface
Description
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The CAT5251 is four digital POTs integrated with control logic and
16 bytes of NVRAM memory. Each digital POT consists of a series of
resistive elements connected between two externally accessible end
points. The tap points between each resistive element are connected to
the wiper outputs with CMOS switches. A separate 8-bit control
register (WCR) independently controls the wiper tap switches for each
digital POT. Associated with each wiper control register are four 8-bit
non-volatile memory data registers (DR) used for storing up to four
wiper settings. Writing to the wiper control register or any of the
non-volatile data registers is via a SPI serial bus. On power-up, the
contents of the first data register (DR0) for each of the four
potentiometers is automatically loaded into its respective wiper
control register.
The CAT5251 can be used as a potentiometer or as a two terminal,
variable resistor. It is intended for circuit level or system level
adjustments in a wide variety of applications. It is available in the
−40C
to 85C industrial operating temperature range and offered in a
24-lead SOIC and TSSOP package.
Features
TSSOP−24
Y SUFFIX
CASE 948AR
SOIC−24
W SUFFIX
CASE 751BK
PIN CONNECTIONS
SO
A0
R
W3
R
H3
R
L3
NC
V
CC
R
L0
R
H0
R
W0
CS
WP
SOIC−24 (W)
TSSOP−24 (Y)
(Top View)
CAT5251
1
HOLD
SCK
R
L2
R
H2
R
W2
NC
GND
R
W1
R
H1
R
L1
A1
SI
Four Linear-taper Digital Potentiometers
254 Resistor Taps per Potentiometer
End to End Resistance 50 kW or 100 kW
Potentiometer Control and Memory Access via SPI Interface
Low Wiper Resistance, Typically 100
W
Nonvolatile Memory Storage for up to Four Wiper Settings for Each
Potentiometer
Automatic Recall of Saved Wiper Settings at Power Up
2.5 to 6.0 Volt Operation
Standby Current less than 1
mA
1,000,000 Nonvolatile WRITE Cycles
100 Year Nonvolatile Memory Data Retention
SOIC 24-lead and TSSOP 24-lead
Industrial Temperature Range
These Devices are Pb-Free, Halogen Free/BFR Free and are RoHS
Compliant
ORDERING INFORMATION
See detailed ordering and shipping information in the package
dimensions section on page 13 of this data sheet.
Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, 2013
July, 2013
−
Rev. 9
1
Publication Order Number:
CAT5251/D
CAT5251
MARKING DIAGRAMS
(SOIC−24)
(TSSOP−24)
L3B
CAT5251WT
−RRYMXXXX
RLB
CAT5251YT
3YMXXX
L = Assembly Location
3 = Lead Finish
−
Matte−Tin
B = Product Revision (Fixed as “B”)
CAT = Fixed as “CAT”
5251W = Device Code
T = Temperature Range (I = Industrial)
−
= Dash
RR = Resistance
25 = 2.5 KW
10 = 10 KW
50 = 50 KW
00 = 100 KW
Y = Production Year (Last Digit)
M = Production Month (1-9, O, N, D)
XXXX = Last Four Digits of Assembly Lot Number
R = Resistance
1 = 2.5 KW
2 = 10 KW
4 = 50 KW
5 = 100 KW
L = Assembly Location
B = Product Revision (Fixed as “B”)
CAT5251Y = Device Code
T = Temperature Range (I = Industrial)
3 = Lead Finish
−
Matte−Tin
Y = Production Year (Last Digit)
M = Production Month (1−9, O, N, D)
XXX = Last Three Digits of Assembly Lot Number
R
H0
CS
SCK
SI
SO
SPI BUS
INTERFACE
WIPER
CONTROL
REGISTERS
R
H1
R
H2
R
H3
R
W0
R
W1
R
W2
WP
A0
A1
HOLD
CONTROL
LOGIC
NONVOLATILE
DATA
REGISTERS
R
L0
R
L1
R
L2
R
L3
R
W3
Figure 1. Functional Diagram
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CAT5251
PIN DESCRIPTIONS
SI: Serial Input
SI is the serial data input pin. This pin is used to input all
opcodes, byte addresses and data to be written to the
CAT5251. Input data is latched on the rising edge of the
serial clock.
SO: Serial Output
SO is the serial data output pin. This pin is used to transfer
data out of the CAT5251. During a read cycle, data is shifted
out on the falling edge of the serial clock.
SCK: Serial Clock
SCK is the serial clock pin. This pin is used to synchronize
the communication between the microcontroller and the
CAT5251. Opcodes, byte addresses or data present on the SI
pin are latched on the rising edge of the SCK. Data on the SO
pin is updated on the falling edge of the SCK.
A0, A1: Device Address Inputs
These inputs set the device address when addressing
multiple devices. A total of four devices can be addressed on
a single bus. A match in the slave address must be made with
the address input in order to initiate communication with the
CAT5251.
R
H
, R
L
: Resistor End Points
The four sets of R
H
and R
L
pins are equivalent to the
terminal connections on a mechanical potentiometer.
R
W
: Wiper
The four R
W
pins are equivalent to the wiper terminal of
a mechanical potentiometer.
CS: Chip Select
CS is the Chip select pin. CS low enables the CAT5251
and CS high disables the CAT5251. CS high takes the SO
output pin to high impedance and forces the devices into a
Standby mode (unless an internal write operation is
underway). The CAT5251 draws ZERO current in the
Standby mode. A high to low transition on CS is required
prior to any sequence being initiated. A low to high
transition on CS after a valid write sequence is what initiates
an internal write cycle.
WP: Write Protect
WP is the Write Protect pin. The Write Protect pin will
allow normal read/write operations when held high. When
WP is tied low, all non-volatile write operations to the Data
registers are inhibited (change of wiper control register is
allowed). WP going low while CS is still low will interrupt
a write to the registers. If the internal write cycle has already
been initiated, WP going low will have no effect on any write
operation.
HOLD: Hold
The HOLD pin is used to pause transmission to the
CAT5251 while in the middle of a serial sequence without
having to re-transmit entire sequence at a later time. To
pause, HOLD must be brought low while SCK is low. The
SO pin is in a high impedance state during the time the part
is paused, and transitions on the SI pins will be ignored. To
resume communication, HOLD is brought high, while SCK
is low. (HOLD should be held high any time this function is
not being used.) HOLD may be tied high directly to V
CC
or
tied to V
CC
through a resistor.
Table 1. PIN DESCRIPTION
Pin #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Name
SO
A0
R
W3
R
H3
R
L3
NC
V
CC
R
L0
R
H0
R
W0
CS
WP
SI
A1
R
L1
R
H1
R
W1
GND
NC
R
W2
R
H2
R
L2
SCK
HOLD
Function
Serial Data Output
Device Address, LSB
Wiper Terminal for Potentiometer 3
High Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 3
Low Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 3
No Connect
Supply Voltage
Low Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 0
High Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 0
Wiper Terminal for Potentiometer 0
Chip Select
Write Protection
Serial Input
Device Address
Low Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 1
High Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 1
Wiper Terminal for Potentiometer 1
Ground
No Connect
Wiper Terminal for Potentiometer 2
High Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 2
Low Reference Terminal for
Potentiometer 2
Bus Serial Clock
Hold
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CAT5251
SERIAL BUS PROTOCOL
The CAT5251 supports the SPI bus data transmission
protocol. The synchronous Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
helps the CAT5251 to interface directly with many of
today’s popular microcontrollers. The CAT5251 contains an
8-bit instruction register. The instruction set and the
operation codes are detailed in Table 13, Instruction Set on
page 9.
After the device is selected with CS going low the first
byte will be received. The part is accessed via the SI pin, with
data being clocked in on the rising edge of SCK. The first
byte contains one of the six op-codes that define the
operation to be performed.
DEVICE OPERATION
The CAT5251 is four resistor arrays integrated with an
SPI serial interface logic, four 8-bit wiper control registers
and sixteen 8-bit, non-volatile memory data registers. Each
resistor array contains 255 separate resistive elements
connected in series. The physical ends of each array are
equivalent to the fixed terminals of a mechanical
potentiometer (R
H
and R
L
). R
H
and R
L
are symmetrical and
may be interchanged. The tap positions between and at the
ends of the series resistors are connected to the output wiper
terminals (R
W
) by a CMOS transistor switch. Only one tap
Table 2. ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Parameter
Temperature Under Bias
Storage Temperature
Voltage on any Pin with Respect to V
SS
(Notes 1, 2)
V
CC
with Respect to Ground
Package Power Dissipation Capability (T
A
= 25C)
Lead Soldering Temperature (10 s)
Wiper Current
Ratings
−55
to +125
−65
to +150
−2.0
to +V
CC
+2.0
−2.0
to +7.0
1.0
300
6
Units
C
C
V
V
W
C
mA
point for each potentiometer is connected to its wiper
terminal at a time and is determined by the value of the wiper
control register. Data can be read or written to the wiper
control registers or the non-volatile memory data registers
via the SPI bus. Additional instructions allow data to be
transferred between the wiper control registers and each
respective potentiometer’s non-volatile data registers. Also,
the device can be instructed to operate in an “increment/
decrement” mode.
Stresses exceeding Maximum Ratings may damage the device. Maximum Ratings are stress ratings only. Functional operation above the
Recommended Operating Conditions is not implied. Extended exposure to stresses above the Recommended Operating Conditions may affect
device reliability.
1. The minimum DC input voltage is –0.5 V. During transitions, inputs may undershoot to –2.0 V for periods of less than 20 ns. Maximum DC
voltage on output pins is V
CC
+ 0.5 V, which may overshoot to V
CC
+ 2.0 V for periods of less than 20 ns.
2. Latch-up protection is provided for stresses up to 100 mA on address and data pins from –1 V to V
CC
+ 1 V.
Table 3. RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS
Parameter
V
CC
Operating Ambient Temperature (Industrial)
Ratings
+2.5 V to +6
−40
to +85
Units
V
C
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CAT5251
Table 4. POTENTIOMETER CHARACTERISTICS
(Over recommended operating conditions unless otherwise stated.)
Symbol
R
POT
R
POT
Parameter
Potentiometer Resistance (−00)
Potentiometer Resistance (−50)
Potentiometer Resistance Tolerance
R
POT
Matching
Power Rating
I
W
R
W
V
TERM
V
N
Wiper Current
Wiper Resistance
I
W
=
3
mA @ V
CC
= 3 V
I
W
=
3
mA @ V
CC
= 5 V
Voltage on any R
H
or R
L
Pin
Noise
Resolution
Absolute Linearity (Note 4)
Relative Linearity (Note 5)
TC
RPOT
TC
RATIO
C
H
/C
L
/C
W
fc
Temperature Coefficient of R
POT
Ratiometric Temp. Coefficient
Potentiometer Capacitances
Frequency Response
R
W(n)(actual)
−
R
(n)(expected)
(Note 7)
R
W(n+1)
−
[R
W(n)+LSB
]
(Note 7)
(Note 3)
(Note 3)
(Note 3)
R
POT
= 50 kW (Note 3)
10/10/25
0.4
300
20
V
SS
= 0 V
(Note 3)
0.4
1
0.5
GND
200
100
25C, each pot
Test Conditions
Min
Typ
100
50
20
1
50
3
300
150
V
CC
Max
Units
kW
kW
%
%
mW
mA
W
W
V
nV/Hz
%
LSB
(Note 6)
LSB
(Note 6)
ppm/C
ppm/C
pF
MHz
3. This parameter is tested initially and after a design or process change that affects the parameter.
4. Absolute linearity is utilized to determine actual wiper voltage versus expected voltage as determined by wiper position when used as a
potentiometer.
5. Relative linearity is utilized to determine the actual change in voltage between two successive tap positions when used as a potentiometer.
It is a measure of the error in step size.
6. LSB = R
TOT
/ 255 or (R
H
−
R
L
) / 255, single pot
7. n = 0, 1, 2, ..., 255.
Table 5. D.C. OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS
(Over recommended operating conditions unless otherwise stated.)
Symbol
I
CC1
I
CC2
I
SB
I
LI
I
LO
V
IL
V
IH
V
OL1
V
OH1
Parameter
Power Supply Current
Power Supply Current
Non-volatile Write
Standby Current (V
CC
= 5.0 V)
Input Leakage Current
Output Leakage Current
Input Low Voltage
Input High Voltage
Output Low Voltage (V
CC
= 3 V)
Output High Voltage (V
CC
= 6 V)
I
OL
= 3 mA
I
OH
=
−1.6
mA
V
CC
−
0.8
Test Conditions
f
SCK
= 2.5 MHz, SO Open
V
CC
= 6 V Inputs = GND
f
SCK
= 2.5 MHz, SO = Open
V
CC
= 6 V Inputs = GND
V
IN
= GND or V
CC
; SO Open
V
IN
= GND to V
CC
V
OUT
= GND to V
CC
−1
V
CC
x 0.7
Min
Typ
Max
1
5
1
10
10
V
CC
x 0.3
V
CC
+ 1.0
0.4
Units
mA
mA
mA
mA
mA
V
V
V
V
Table 6. PIN CAPACITANCE
(Note 8)
(Applicable over recommended operating range from T
A
= 25C, f = 1.0 MHz, V
CC
= +5.0 V (unless otherwise noted).)
Symbol
C
OUT
C
IN
Parameter
Output Capacitance (SO)
Input Capacitance (CS, SCK, SI, WP, HOLD, A0, A1
Test Conditions
V
OUT
= 0 V
V
IN
= 0 V
Min
Typ
Max
8
6
Units
pF
pF
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