AD5204BRUZ10 - 10kΩ 4-Ch 256-Tap SPI Digital Potentiometer | ADI
MPN: AD5204BRUZ10 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.78 | $47.80 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.45 | $1,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.99 | $2,990.00 |
AD5204BRUZ10 Overview
A digital potentiometer (digipot) is a solid-state integrated circuit that replaces a mechanical potentiometer with a resistor ladder and CMOS transmission-gate wiper switches. It belongs to the broader category of programmable analog components, alongside DACs, voltage references, and programmable gain amplifiers, and sits within the data-converter / signal-conditioning slice of mixed-signal ICs. By accepting serial commands from an MCU or FPGA, the digipot lets a host processor perform dynamic system calibration, gain adjustment, or set-point tuning that would otherwise require a human turning a trimpot.
Key features of the AD5204BRUZ10 include four independently programmable channels, a low 5 µA typical wiper current consumption in shutdown, 35 ppm/°C typical resistor temperature coefficient, and a power-on reset that returns all wipers to midscale. The volatile wiper memory requires re-programming on each power-up cycle but simplifies software protocols. The TSSOP-24 footprint and SPI interface make it a drop-in upgrade path for designs migrating from legacy mechanical pots.
Architecturally, the device uses a CMOS R-2R-style resistor ladder per channel with CMOS transmission gates as the wiper. The 256 tap points correspond to a nominal step size of 39 Ω for the 10 kΩ version. The end-to-end resistance tolerance of ±30% is typical of thin-film polysilicon resistor ladders and is generally acceptable for gain-setting and bias-adjustment roles where absolute calibration is performed in software.
Typical applications include audio volume and tone control, programmable-gain instrumentation amplifiers, LCD display contrast and brightness adjustment, mechanical potentiometer replacement, and automated test equipment (ATE) calibration. The four-channel integration is particularly useful in multi-axis sensor conditioning or multi-channel audio front-ends where board real estate is constrained.
When designing with this part, treat the digipot as a non-linear load on the upstream op-amp; the wiper switches introduce finite on-resistance (R_ON, ~50 Ω typical) that scales with code and can degrade CMRR/THD in precision paths. Decouple VDD/VSS with 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins. For AC signals, keep the signal amplitude well below the rail-to-rail wiper voltage window to avoid wiper-distortion artifacts.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same TSSOP-24 package, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for AD5204BRUZ10 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with AD5204BRUZ10 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Interface, Number of Channels, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD5204BRUZ50
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5204BRUZ100
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5206BRUZ10
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →AD5206BRUZ100
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8403ARUZ10
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8403ARUZ100
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5204BRUZ10 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | 4-channel digitally controlled variable resistor (VR) |
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Number of Taps | 256 |
| End-to-End Resistance (R-AB) | 10 kΩ |
| Resistance Tolerance | ±30 % |
| Taper | Linear |
| Interface | 3-wire SPI-compatible serial |
| Supply Voltage (Single Supply) | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Supply Voltage (Dual Supply) | ±2.3 V to ±2.7 V |
| Wiper Resistance (R-ON) | 50 Ω typical |
| Resistor Temperature Coefficient | 35 ppm/°C typical |
| Operating Temperature Range | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Wiper Memory Type | Volatile (mid-scale at POR) |
| Package / Mounting | 24-pin TSSOP (Tape & Reel) |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant |
AD5204BRUZ10 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VSS — Negative supply (dual-supply mode) or GND (single-supply mode) |
| Pin 2 | A1 — Channel 1, terminal A |
| Pin 3 | W1 — Channel 1, wiper |
| Pin 4 | B1 — Channel 1, terminal B |
| Pin 5 | A2 — Channel 2, terminal A |
| Pin 6 | W2 — Channel 2, wiper |
| Pin 7 | B2 — Channel 2, terminal B |
| Pin 8 | A3 — Channel 3, terminal A |
| Pin 9 | W3 — Channel 3, wiper |
| Pin 10 | B3 — Channel 3, terminal B |
| Pin 11 | GND — Logic ground |
| Pin 12 | SDI — Serial data input |
| Pin 13 | CLK — Serial clock input |
| Pin 14 | /CS — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 15 | /RESET — Reset wipers to midscale (active low) |
| Pin 16 | A4 — Channel 4, terminal A |
| Pin 17 | W4 — Channel 4, wiper |
| Pin 18 | B4 — Channel 4, terminal B |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 21 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 22 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 23 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 24 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
AD5204BRUZ10 is suitable for 6 applications: Audio Volume and Tone Control, Programmable-Gain Instrumentation Amplifier, LCD Display Contrast and Brightness Adjustment, Mechanical Potentiometer Replacement, Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Calibration, Sensor Trim and Offset Calibration.
Audio Volume and Tone Control
The AD5204BRUZ10's four independent 10 kΩ channels and 256-tap resolution make it well-suited for stereo volume plus two-tone-control adjustment in audio front-ends. Each channel is configured as a variable resistor in a passive divider or in the feedback network of an op-amp such as the OPA1612. With 256 taps and approximately 0.4 dB step granularity when mapped via a logarithmic lookup table on the host MCU, audible steps are smooth rather than discrete. The ±30% end-to-end tolerance is acceptable because absolute calibration is performed in software, and the 35 ppm/°C TC keeps channel-to-channel drift low across the audio band. Decoupling with 0.1 µF ceramics within 5 mm of the supply pins minimizes digital-noise coupling into the audio ground plane.
Recommended
Programmable-Gain Instrumentation Amplifier
The AD5204BRUZ10 can replace the gain-setting resistor in a three-op-amp instrumentation amplifier, enabling host-controlled gain selection from 1 to 256 V/V in 256 steps. Each wiper, exhibiting ~50 Ω on-resistance, becomes the R_gain resistor; matched channels from the same die ensure that the two gain-setting potentiometers track to better than ±1 % across temperature. Combined with a precision op-amp such as the AD8066 or ADA4522, this topology yields >70 dB CMRR at 1 kHz. The 10 kΩ end-to-end resistance is a good compromise for low-power sensor signal chains (e.g., strain gauges, thermocouples) where the digipot loads the source minimally while still setting a useful gain range.
Recommended
LCD Display Contrast and Brightness Adjustment
The AD5204BRUZ10's four-channel architecture lets a single IC replace four mechanical trimpots used for LCD V-contrast, backlight brightness, plus two calibration trim points. The host MCU writes new tap values via SPI on power-up or in response to ambient-light-sensor feedback, eliminating manual adjustment during manufacturing and enabling field re-calibration via UART/Bluetooth. The 10 kΩ end-to-end resistance is appropriate for setting the bias point of a typical LCD V-contrast pin without loading the bias reference. The volatile memory is acceptable since the MCU re-initializes the wipers on every boot.
Recommended
Mechanical Potentiometer Replacement
Replacing a mechanical 10 kΩ potentiometer with the AD5204BRUZ10 removes the most common failure mode in industrial front panels — wiper contact noise, mechanical wear, and contamination. The digital interface eliminates shaft routing and EMC concerns from long analog traces, replacing them with a robust SPI signal driven by an MCU. The mid-scale power-on reset ensures a defined boot state for safety-critical settings. Industrial control panels, life-saving medical equipment, and home-automation wall controls benefit from solid-state reliability. The TSSOP-24 package is hand-solderable for retrofit designs but should be ESD-handled carefully during assembly.
Recommended
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Calibration
In ATE racks, the AD5204BRUZ10 can be used as a programmable load or trim element to calibrate stimulus amplitudes, bias references, and measurement offsets before each test cycle. Its four channels can sink/source small calibration currents or trim supply rails within the 5 V supply window. The 256-tap resolution and SPI interface enable sub-millisecond re-calibration of multiple test points, dramatically reducing test time vs. mechanical trim. The volatile wiper memory is an advantage — the ATE controller sets known reference positions at the start of every test, eliminating part-to-part memory drift across production shifts.
Recommended
Sensor Trim and Offset Calibration
Multi-axis sensor modules (e.g., MEMS accelerometers, pressure sensors, thermocouple front-ends) typically require per-channel offset and gain trimming that drifts with temperature and aging. The AD5204BRUZ10's four channels provide enough wiper resolution to trim four independent sensor channels from a single IC, controlled by the host MCU over SPI. The 35 ppm/°C resistor TC introduces modest temperature drift, so a periodic host-driven re-calibration algorithm is recommended for high-precision applications. The TSSOP-24 footprint fits easily beneath a typical sensor breakout board.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD5204BRUZ10 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD5204BRUZ50 | AD5204BRUZ100 | AD5206BRUZ10 | AD5206BRUZ100 | AD8403ARUZ10 | AD8403ARUZ100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 | TSSOP-24 |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Number of Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| End-to-End Resistance | 10 kΩ | 50 kΩ | 100 kΩ | 10 kΩ | 100 kΩ | 10 kΩ | 100 kΩ |
| Number of Taps | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 |
| Interface | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI | 3-wire SPI |
| Resistor Temperature Coefficient | 35 ppm/°C typ | 35 ppm/°C typ | 35 ppm/°C typ | 35 ppm/°C typ | 35 ppm/°C typ | 10 ppm/°C typ | 10 ppm/°C typ |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual | 2.7-5.5 V single / ±2.3 to ±2.7 V dual |
Key Differentiators
- Cost-optimized 4-channel architecture with industry-standard SPI interface (vs AD8403ARUZ10)
- True 4-channel integration in 24-pin TSSOP (vs AD5242BRUZ10)
- SPI-compatible 3-wire interface enables direct MCU control (vs AD5242BRUZ10)
Design Notes
Place the VDD and VSS supply pins within 5 mm of their respective decoupling capacitors. Use 0.1 µF X7R/C0G ceramic capacitors in parallel with 1 µF or larger bulk capacitors. Keep digital SPI traces (CLK, SDI, /CS) routed away from the analog wiper (Wx) traces to minimize digital-to-analog noise coupling, and place a single ground reference plane under the IC.
The wiper on-resistance (R_ON, ~50 Ω typical) is in series with the selected tap resistance and changes with code. In a precision divider, R_ON adds directly to the bottom half of the divider and introduces a small non-linearity. Compensate by software offset correction, or in precision paths use a unity-gain buffer between the wiper and the downstream stage. The volatile wiper memory also requires the host MCU to re-write all four wipers after every power-up; do not assume retained position.
When using the AD5204BRUZ10 with AC signals (audio, RF), keep the peak signal amplitude well below the supply rail-to-rail window to avoid wiper-distortion artifacts at the rail edges. Typical wiper bandwidth is limited by R-AB and the parasitic C; for the 10 kΩ part, treat signal bandwidth as <100 kHz unless otherwise characterized in your design. Add a series resistor of 1 kΩ to 10 kΩ between the source and the wiper to limit surge currents during tap transitions.
The TSSOP-24 package has a thermal resistance (θ_JA) of approximately 100 °C/W on a standard JEDEC 4-layer test PCB. At maximum quiescent current (~5 mA at 5.5 V = 27.5 mW), self-heating is negligible (<0.3 °C rise). The 35 ppm/°C resistor TC is the dominant thermal effect in precision applications; for tighter performance, use the AD8403ARUZ10 (10 ppm/°C) or characterize the circuit over the full operating temperature range.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per the Analog Devices product page and Alldatasheet material composition. Halogen-free per ADI 2015+ TSSOP-24 product line; not AEC-Q100 qualified (choose AD8403 for automotive).
