AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 - 1kΩ 64-Tap I2C Nonvolatile DigiPot | ADI
MPN: AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.27 | $227.00 |
| 500 | $1.96 | $980.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.42 | $4,260.00 |
AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 Overview
A digital potentiometer (DigiPot or RDAC) is a solid-state variable resistor whose wiper position is set by a digital command rather than a mechanical actuator. DigiPots sit in the hierarchy: digital potentiometer → programmable resistor → data-conversion/peripheral IC → mixed-signal semiconductor. They replace mechanical trimmers in volume-production designs where software-driven calibration, remote adjustment, or dynamic trimming is required.
Key specifications of the AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 include 64 wiper positions (6-bit resolution), a 1 kΩ nominal end-to-end resistance with ±0.1% tolerance stored in EEPROM, a 2-wire I²C-compatible serial interface, an auxiliary VLOGIC pin for mixed-voltage I/O, and software write-protect. Power-on EEPROM refresh is <1 ms, enabling rapid system startup. End-to-end resistance options in the family cover 1 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ, and 100 kΩ.
The internal architecture combines a precision thin-film resistor ladder with CMOS transmission-gate switches and a nonvolatile EEPROM shadow register. The I²C address is selectable via the AD0 pin, allowing two devices on the same bus. Per the AD5258 datasheet, current between Wiper W and Terminal B in the zero-scale state must be limited to a maximum pulse current of 20 mA to avoid degradation of the internal switch contact.
Typical applications include LCD backlight brightness control, contrast and bias adjustment on displays, programmable gain amplifiers, RF power-detector calibration, audio volume control, and post-production trimming of precision sensors. Designers typically pair the AD5258 with a low-offset op-amp (e.g., AD8628) when used as an in-circuit trim element.
When designing with the AD5258, add a 0.1 µF bypass capacitor close to VDD and respect the 20 mA wiper current limit. Note that DigiPots are not intended for high-current or high-voltage loads; they are optimized for signal-level adjustment and bias-setting roles in low-power analog paths.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same MSOP-10 footprint family, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer's datasheet, giving engineers a faster path from selection to qualified BOM line item.
Drop-in alternatives for AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 — 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 AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Software Write Protect, Interface, End-to-End Resistance, Number of Taps.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD5258BRMZ1-R7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →AD5258BRMZ10-RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5258BRMZ50-RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5258BRMZ100-RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5258BRMZ100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Number of Potentiometers | 1 |
| Taps | 64 |
| End-to-End Resistance (R-AB) | 1 kΩ |
| End-to-End Resistance Tolerance (stored in EEPROM) | ±0.1% accuracy |
| Resistance Options in Family | 1 kΩ / 10 kΩ / 50 kΩ / 100 kΩ |
| Interface | I²C-compatible (2-wire serial) |
| Wiper Memory | Nonvolatile EEPROM |
| Power-on EEPROM Refresh Time | < 1 ms |
| VLOGIC Pin | Yes (separate logic supply for interface flexibility) |
| Address Decode Pin | AD0 (allows 2 devices on bus) |
| Software Write Protect | Yes |
| Max Wiper Current (W to B in zero-scale) | 20 mA pulse |
| Package | 10-pin MSOP (RMZ), 3 mm × 4.9 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground reference for analog and digital sections |
| Pin 2 | A — Resistor terminal A (one end of R-AB) |
| Pin 3 | W — Wiper terminal (digital-controlled tap) |
| Pin 4 | B — Resistor terminal B (other end of R-AB); limit pulse current to 20 mA in zero-scale state |
| Pin 5 | VLOGIC — Logic supply for I²C interface (separate from VDD for mixed-voltage flexibility) |
| Pin 6 | SCL — I²C serial clock input |
| Pin 7 | SDA — I²C serial data input/output |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Analog supply voltage for the potentiometer |
| Pin 9 | AD0 — I²C address decode pin (allows 2 devices on the same bus) |
| Pin 10 | WP — Write-protect input (active high; blocks EEPROM writes when asserted) |
Typical Applications
AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 is suitable for 7 applications: LCD Backlight Brightness Control, Display Contrast and Bias Adjustment, Programmable Gain Amplifier, RF Power-Detector Calibration, Audio Volume Control, Precision Sensor Post-Production Trimming, Programmable Threshold Detection.
LCD Backlight Brightness Control
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 fits LCD backlight brightness control because its 64-tap resolution and I²C interface allow microcontrollers to adjust LED-driver feedback gain in software. The 1 kΩ R-AB lets the wiper sit in the low-resistance end of the divider for typical 50-200 mA LED strings, where the 20 mA wiper current rating is well respected and the <1 ms power-on EEPROM recall eliminates the brightness flash that plagues solutions relying on microcontroller RAM. Compared with PWM-based dimming, the DigiPot approach avoids the LED color shift that some backlight chemistries exhibit at low duty cycle.
Recommended
Display Contrast and Bias Adjustment
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 is well-suited to display contrast and bias adjustment on character LCDs, OLED panels, and TFT modules, where the negative-bias voltage must be tuned at production time. Its nonvolatile EEPROM lets the calibrated contrast value persist across power cycles, eliminating the visible flicker that occurs when a microcontroller's RAM is reloaded with the wrong default. Per the AD5258 datasheet, the WLOGIC pin allows 3.3 V microcontroller control of a 5 V analog supply, simplifying mixed-voltage designs without level shifters.
Recommended
Programmable Gain Amplifier
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 enables a digital-programmable-gain amplifier (PGA) when the wiper and one terminal are inserted into an op-amp feedback loop. Its 1 kΩ R-AB allows gain steps in the 0.1-10 range with common op-amps, and the I²C interface gives software-controlled calibration without mechanical access. The DigiPot's 64-tap granularity gives ~0.5 dB gain resolution, which is adequate for sensor-scaling front ends, while the EEPROM-backed wiper position means calibration is preserved across power cycles.
Recommended
RF Power-Detector Calibration
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 fits RF power-detector calibration blocks where the detector diode's temperature-dependent slope must be trimmed in software. Its 1 kΩ R-AB provides a low-impedance trim element that loads the detector negligibly, while the 64-tap resolution gives ~1.5% trim granularity - more than sufficient to cancel diode spread. Per the AD5258 datasheet, the device's <1 ms power-on refresh ensures the calibrated trim is in place before the RF chain begins transmitting.
Recommended
Audio Volume Control
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 serves in audio line-level volume control for headphone amplifiers and DAC output stages, where its 64-tap resolution gives ~0.5 dB volume steps. The 1 kΩ R-AB is appropriate for low-impedance headphone circuits (typically 16-32 Ω) when placed in series with a coupling capacitor, but for line-level outputs (10 kΩ nominal), the AD5258BRMZ10-RL7 is the better value. The DigiPot's solid-state nature eliminates the scratchy noise that mechanical pots introduce as they age.
Recommended
Precision Sensor Post-Production Trimming
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 enables post-production trimming of precision sensors such as load cells, RTD signal chains, and pressure-sensor bridge amplifiers, where each unit must be calibrated to cancel component spread. Its ±0.1% resistance tolerance stored in EEPROM allows the calibration value to be written once and recalled forever, eliminating the per-unit manual trim step that adds cost to a high-volume production line. The I²C interface permits the calibration fixture to program both the bridge offset and gain in a single bus transaction.
Recommended
Programmable Threshold Detection
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 enables programmable comparator-threshold circuits by setting the reference voltage on a comparator's reference pin. Its 1 kΩ R-AB at the low-impedance reference of typical comparators gives clean threshold setting with minimal interaction from comparator input bias current. The nonvolatile threshold storage means the same board can be software-reconfigured for different alarm setpoints without mechanical changes, ideal for multi-mode safety circuits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD5258BRMZ1-R7 | AD5258BRMZ10-RL7 | AD5258BRMZ50-RL7 | AD5258BRMZ100-RL7 | AD5258BRMZ100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Package | MSOP-10 (RMZ) | MSOP-10 (RMZ) - same | MSOP-10 (RMZ) - same | MSOP-10 (RMZ) - same | MSOP-10 (RMZ) - same | MSOP-10 (RMZ) - same |
| End-to-End Resistance (R-AB) | 1 kΩ | 1 kΩ - same | 10 kΩ | 50 kΩ | 100 kΩ | 10 kΩ |
| Number of Taps | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Interface | I²C | I²C | I²C | I²C | I²C | I²C |
| Nonvolatile Memory | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) |
| Tolerance (stored in EEPROM) | ±0.1% | ±0.1% | ±0.1% | ±0.1% | ±0.1% | ±0.1% |
| Power-on EEPROM Refresh | <1 ms | <1 ms | <1 ms | <1 ms | <1 ms | <1 ms |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest R-AB option in the AD5258 family (vs AD5258BRMZ10-RL7)
- Same MSOP-10 footprint across the entire family (vs AD8402 (6-pin SOT-23, SPI interface))
- I²C interface with VLOGIC and AD0 address pin (vs AD5201 (SPI, 33 taps, no nonvolatile memory))
Design Notes
Per the AD5258 datasheet, the current between Wiper W and Terminal B in the zero-scale condition must be limited to a maximum pulse current of 20 mA. Otherwise, degradation or destruction of the internal switch contact may occur. When the application can source more than 20 mA, add a series resistor or current-limit clamp to protect the switch contact - a frequent failure mode when designers mistake a DigiPot for a fully-rated rheostat.
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and another at the VLOGIC pin if a separate logic supply is used. The MSOP-10 (RMZ) package has limited thermal mass, so route VDD and GND traces on the top layer to minimize inductance. Keep digital I²C traces (SCL, SDA) short and away from analog terminals A, B, W to avoid digital-noise coupling into the analog resistance ladder.
The AD5258 wiper resistance is non-zero (typically 50-100 Ω), and at the extremes of the resistor ladder the apparent resistance does not follow a simple linear model. For precision gain-setting applications, calibrate at multiple wiper positions to characterize the actual resistance transfer function, especially when using the 1 kΩ variant where wiper resistance is a larger fraction of R-AB. The EEPROM-stored tolerance of ±0.1% refers to end-to-end R-AB, not to the absolute wiper position accuracy.
The AD5258BRMZ1-RL7 draws very low quiescent current during normal operation, but each EEPROM write consumes a brief burst of supply current. Ensure the VDD rail can source this burst without sagging - a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the device is recommended when writing EEPROM frequently. Per the AD5258 datasheet, the WP (write-protect) pin should be asserted in production designs to prevent accidental EEPROM corruption from I²C bus glitches.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance confirmed via Analog Devices product page. AEC-Q100 grade not stated for the standard -RMZ part; consult factory for Q-grade variants if required for automotive.
