32-Tap Digital Potentiometer from Catalyst Semiconductor

Housed in a small, SOT-23, 8-lead package, the new CAT5128 digital potentiometer is ideal for a wide range of control and calibration applications, such as digital volume control and LCD screen contrast and brightness adjustment applications in portable, consumer and industrial electronic products, as well as automated, tamper-proof product calibration and remote control adjustment applications. The up/down control interface can be configured to work directly with the system microprocessor or with two external push-button switches.

The CAT5128 is a “volatile” device where the wiper powers on at the midscale setting and offers a low-noise, stable, reliable and simple alternative to DACs and mechanical potentiometers. DAC-based approaches typically require additional interconnects resulting in added board real estate and system costs. Additionally, since the device is silicon-based, it is insensitive to mechanical vibrations, shock and oxidation, making it a higher reliability alternative to mechanical potentiometers across most environmental conditions.

The CAT5128 digital potentiometer is priced at $0.53 each in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples are now available. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.