MCP41050-I/P - 50kOhm 8-Bit SPI Digital Potentiometer | Microchip
Référence : MCP41050-I/P ✓ ActifMCP41050-I/P Présentation
A digital potentiometer is a solid-state, actively controlled substitute for a mechanical trimmer potentiometer. Instead of a sliding wiper driven by a screw or shaft, it uses an internal resistor string terminated by an electrically driven wiper that is positioned by a serial command. In the broader component hierarchy it sits above the passive potentiometer and alongside the resistor network, and it belongs to the family of programmable passives used to trim, calibrate or attenuate a signal without physical adjustment.
Key features of the MCP41050 include 256 taps per potentiometer, ±1 LSB maximum integral nonlinearity and differential nonlinearity, a low-power serial interface, and an end-to-end resistance of 50 kΩ. The part belongs to the MCP41XXX/MCP42XXX family, which offers single and dual channel versions in 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ and 100 kΩ resistance options, so the same firmware and board pattern can be reused across different trim ranges.
The device uses a serial peripheral interface (SPI) compatible command structure for writing the wiper register, which lets a microcontroller set the tap position in a single byte transfer. The wiper position is held in a volatile register, meaning the last programmed value is retained while power is applied but returns to a defined state after power cycling. The MCP41XXX device is a single-channel part offered in 8-pin PDIP and SOIC packages, with outstanding AC and DC characteristics for audio and instrumentation signal paths.
Typical applications include audio volume and gain control, sensor amplifier calibration, programmable filter and threshold adjustment, and general instrumentation trimming where a fixed value must be set by firmware rather than by hand. Because the wiper position is controlled in software, calibration data can be stored in non-volatile memory and reloaded on every power-up.
When designing with the MCP41050-I/P, remember that the wiper is not a buffered output: place a buffer or a suitable feedback resistor network after the wiper pin when driving a high-impedance or capacitive load. Also allow for the potentiometer's own resistance in the signal path and keep the SPI traces short, since the interface is sensitive to ringing on fast clock edges.
This page brings together device specifications, pin-level detail, package-level alternatives and practical design notes that go well beyond the basic parameter table, helping engineers qualify the MCP41050-I/P for new designs without repeated datasheet searching.
Alternatives de remplacement direct pour MCP41050-I/P — même boîtier, compatible broche à broche. Les références à boîtier différent nécessitant une retouche du PCB sont exclues.
Variantes de cette série
Modèles de la même série directement compatibles avec MCP41050-I/P (même facteur de forme et même empreinte) — différant par Package, Device Type, Nominal End-to-End Resistance, Number of Taps.
MCP41010-I/P
✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiéesContactez-nous pour le prix
Voir la fiche technique →MCP41020-I/P
✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)
MCP41080-I/P
✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)
MCP41100-I/P
✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiéesContactez-nous pour le prix
Voir la fiche technique →MCP41050-I/P Spécifications
| Device Type | Single-channel digital potentiometer (potentiometer IC) |
| End-to-End Resistance | 50 kΩ |
| Résolution | 8 bit |
| Number of Taps | 256 |
| Number of Potentiometers | 1 |
| Control Interface | Serial, SPI |
| SPI Clock Modes Supported | Mode 0,0 and 1,1 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Integral Nonlinearity (INL) | ±1 LSB max |
| Differential Nonlinearity (DNL) | ±1 LSB max |
| Track Taper | Linear |
| Wiper Storage | Volatile |
| Boîtier | 8-pin PDIP, through-hole |
| Nombre de broches | 8 |
| Type de montage | Through-hole |
| Low Power Operation | Yes, low power mode supported |
Configuration des broches de MCP41050-I/P
| Broche 1 | VSS — Ground reference for the device |
| Broche 2 | PA — Potentiometer terminal A (end of resistor string) |
| Broche 3 | PW — Wiper output (unbuffered tap output) |
| Broche 4 | PB — Potentiometer terminal B (end of resistor string) |
| Broche 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage, 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Broche 6 | CS — Active-low chip select for the serial interface |
| Broche 7 | SCK — Serial clock input, modes 0,0 and 1,1 |
| Broche 8 | SI/SO — Serial data input and wiper read-back output on the same pin |
Applications typiques
MCP41050-I/P convient pour 6 applications: Audio Volume and Gain Control, Sensor Signal Calibration, Programmable Filter and Threshold Adjustment, Instrumentation and Test Equipment Trimming, Industrial Control and Actuator Scaling, Portable and Consumer Product Adjustment.
Audio Volume and Gain Control
The MCP41050-I/P suits audio preamp and mixer nodes where a 50 kΩ trim range matches typical impedance levels and the 256 available taps give roughly 196 mV per step across a 50 V span at unity. The SPI write to the wiper register lets the host processor set the level instantly from a user interface, a stored preset or a mixer application, and the ±1 LSB maximum INL and DNL keep channel-to-channel level matching tight. Because the wiper output is unbuffered, follow it with a low-noise op-amp such as the NE5534PSR or the LM201AD when driving the next stage, keeping the ±1 LSB accuracy meaningful rather than loading the tap with the input impedance of a headphone or line stage.
Recommandé
Sensor Signal Calibration
In a pressure, temperature or strain front end, the MCP41050-I/P acts as a firmware-adjustable divider that trims the amplifier gain to cancel sensor tolerance and offset. A 50 kΩ element with 256 linear taps lets the calibration routine converge on the correct tap index in a few iterations, and the result is stored in non-volatile memory and rewritten on every power-up because the wiper register is volatile. The ±1 LSB maximum DNL is important here, since it bounds the quantization error introduced directly into the measurement chain and keeps the calibrated error repeatable across production units and temperature conditions.
Recommandé
Programmable Filter and Threshold Adjustment
The MCP41050-I/P can place a digitally adjustable resistance into an RC or Sallen-Key network so the filter corner frequency or comparator threshold is tuned in firmware instead of with a discrete trimmer network. The 50 kΩ end-to-end resistance is well suited to common audio-band and instrumentation time constants, and the linear taper makes the relationship between tap index and resistance predictable for a control algorithm. Keep in mind that the wiper node is unbuffered, so the following stage must present a high input impedance to avoid shifting the effective time constant; the TLV2402ID is a suitable low-noise follower for that role.
Recommandé
Instrumentation and Test Equipment Trimming
Laboratory and production test equipment uses the MCP41050-I/P to remove gain errors in analogue signal paths, allowing a single board design to serve multiple instruments that differ in calibration. Because the trim is written over SPI, the instrument can re-calibrate itself at startup, or an operator can adjust a reference level from a front panel without opening the enclosure. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V operating range lets the part run directly from a 3.3 V control system while the analogue section runs at 5 V, and the single 8-pin PDIP package keeps the footprint small enough for a crowded analog board.
Recommandé
Industrial Control and Actuator Scaling
In industrial control boards the MCP41050-I/P scales a control command before it reaches an actuator or a drive stage, so the mapping between a controller register and a physical output can be re-tuned per board variant without hardware rework. The 256 taps give fine resolution for slow actuator ramps, and the ±1 LSB maximum INL keeps the commanded value close to the delivered value without recalibration after a board swap. The through-hole 8-pin PDIP format also makes it a good fit for leaded industrial assemblies and for repair-friendly designs where components are socketed during maintenance.
Recommandé
Portable and Consumer Product Adjustment
Battery-operated and USB-powered products use the MCP41050-I/P to set headphone output, display backlight or sensor thresholds at runtime, avoiding mechanical user-accessible trimmers that would increase case complexity and cost. The low-power serial interface means the microcontroller can place the device in a low-power state between adjustments, which matters in designs where the adjustment node is only touched during a configuration step. The 2.7 V lower supply limit supports single-cell and 3.3 V systems, and the 50 kΩ element provides a usable trim range without drawing significant current from the rail.
Recommandé
Récapitulatif des produits recommandés
Données de référence d'ingénierie pour MCP41050-I/P — comparaison, recommandations de conception et informations de conformité.
Guide de sélection
Comparaison avec les alternatives
| Paramètre | Ce produit | MCP41010-I/P | MCP41020-I/P | MCP41080-I/P | MCP41100-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same |
| End-to-End Resistance | 50 kΩ | 10 kΩ | 20 kΩ | 80 kΩ | 100 kΩ |
| Number of Taps / Resolution | 256 taps / 8 bit | 256 taps / 8 bit | 256 taps / 8 bit | 256 taps / 8 bit | 256 taps / 8 bit |
| Control Interface | SPI, modes 0,0 and 1,1 | SPI, modes 0,0 and 1,1 | SPI, modes 0,0 and 1,1 | SPI, modes 0,0 and 1,1 | SPI, modes 0,0 and 1,1 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Channel Count | 1 potentiometer | 1 potentiometer | 1 potentiometer | 1 potentiometer | 1 potentiometer |
| Integral / Differential Nonlinearity | ±1 LSB max INL, ±1 LSB max DNL | ±1 LSB max INL, ±1 LSB max DNL | ±1 LSB max INL, ±1 LSB max DNL | ±1 LSB max INL, ±1 LSB max DNL | ±1 LSB max INL, ±1 LSB max DNL |
| Track Taper | Linear | Linear | Linear | Linear | Linear |
| Wiper Storage | Volatile | Volatile | Volatile | Volatile | Volatile |
Principaux différenciateurs
- 50 kΩ element sits between the 10 kΩ and 100 kΩ family options, covering the mid-range trim impedance common in audio and instrumentation (vs MCP41010-I/P)
- Lower wiper loading than the 100 kΩ option while keeping a wide adjustment range (vs MCP41100-I/P)
- Factory-trimmed accuracy is fixed by the family specification rather than by an external calibration network (vs MCP41020-I/P)
- Exact 8-pin PDIP drop-in footprint across the whole MCP41XXX resistance range, allowing one PCB to serve multiple trim values (vs MCP41080-I/P)
Notes de conception
The MCP41XXX wiper output is unbuffered. Any load placed on the wiper node draws current from the internal resistor string and shifts the effective resistance away from the value implied by the tap index, which produces a systematic gain error. Use a high-impedance buffer such as the NE5534PSR or the LM201AD directly after the wiper, and keep the buffer's input bias current and capacitance small so that the ±1 LSB accuracy remains usable.
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor between VDD (pin 5) and VSS (pin 1) as close to the device as possible, and route the ground return directly to the device ground pin rather than through the wiper or terminal nets. For through-hole 8-pin PDIP layouts, keep the CS and SCK traces short and away from the PA, PW and PB nodes; long parallel runs next to the wiper trace can couple switching noise into the trimmed signal and undermine the ±1 LSB linearity the part is specified for.
SPI edges on the MCP41050-I/P can be sharp, and the wiper register is volatile, so ensure the host controller holds CS low for the full command frame and issues a defined reset of the wiper position after power-up. Because the device powers on in a fixed state rather than the last programmed value, write the calibration value at every boot; treating the wiper register as persistent storage is a common source of field failures in audio products.
Estimated: with the 50 kΩ element dissipating the full end-to-end voltage across it at a 5 V rail, the worst-case static dissipation in the string is limited by the ratio of the applied voltage to the total resistance, so the wiper path current stays in the tens of microamps. The dominant supply draw is therefore the device's own operating current rather than the potentiometer element; check the supply-current figure in the datasheet when sizing a low-power rail, and confirm the wiper-node loading current separately if the wiper drives a low-impedance path.
Informations de conformité
This ordering code is a general-purpose industrial and commercial instrumentation part, so AEC-Q100 qualification does not apply. Confirm RoHS, REACH, lead-free and halogen-free declarations for the exact 8-pin PDIP package and manufacturing lot on the Microchip product page and the associated material compliance documentation before release to production.
