AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 - 20kOhm 1024-Tap I2C Digital Rheostat | ADI
MPN: AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.54 | $6.54 |
| 10 | $5.89 | $58.90 |
| 100 | $5.21 | $521.00 |
| 500 | $4.68 | $2,340.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.12 | $4,120.00 |
AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 Overview
A digital rheostat (sometimes called a digital potentiometer or digipot) is a solid-state replacement for a mechanical potentiometer, providing a programmable two-terminal variable resistor that is controlled through a digital serial bus. It belongs to the broader family of programmable analog ICs sitting between passive components (resistors) and full data-acquisition chains, and is widely used where mechanical trimming is impractical: in calibration, gain setting, sensor linearization, and bias adjustment.
Key features include 1024 tap points, 1% end-to-end resistor tolerance error, a 2.7 V to 5.5 V single-supply operating range, an I2C-compatible 2-wire serial interface supporting both standard (100 kHz) and fast (400 kHz) modes, and 50-times programmable nonvolatile memory with read-back. The rheostat mode (terminal W to terminal A or B) supports unipolar signal swing, and the device includes power-on preset to midscale.
In terms of architecture, the AD5272 uses a CMOS resistor-array structure with a wiper that is digitally addressed and latched into NVM via the I2C bus. The 50-TP architecture provides a controlled write budget to ensure long-term data retention in EEMEM. Compared with purely volatile digipots, the integrated EEMEM eliminates the need for an external EEPROM and a separate programming step on every power-up.
Typical applications include mechanical potentiometer replacement, instrumentation gain adjustment, programmable voltage-to-current conversion, laser-trim replacement, and RF attenuator biasing. The combination of 1% resistor tolerance and 50-TP NVM makes the part especially attractive where calibration is performed once at production and then re-used across multiple power cycles.
When designing with the AD5272, observe the absolute-maximum terminal voltages (Vdd + 0.3 V and -0.3 V on W/A/B). For ac-coupled or bipolar signals, bias the rheostat inside the supply headroom. For best noise performance, use the lower-resistance variants or connect an external resistor in parallel only when the design explicitly accounts for the resulting ratiometric error.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from the AD5272/AD5274 datasheet that are not consolidated on any single distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for AD5272BRMZ-20-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 AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in End-to-End Resistance (R-AB), Interface, MSL Level, Nonvolatile Memory, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD5272BRMZ-50-RL7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →AD5272BRMZ-100-RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5272BRMZ-20
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5274BRMZ-20-RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5272BCPZ-20-RL7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Part Number | AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 |
| Manufacturer | Analog Devices |
| Product Type | Nonvolatile Digital Potentiometer / Rheostat |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Number of Taps | 1024 |
| End-to-End Resistance (R-AB) | 20 kOhm |
| Resistance Tolerance | 1% end-to-end (resistor tolerance error) |
| Interface | I2C (2-wire, standard 100 kHz and fast 400 kHz) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Nonvolatile Memory | 50-times programmable (50-TP) EEMEM |
| Memory Write Cycles | 50 (typical, datasheet-programmable count) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (extended industrial, per datasheet ordering info) |
| Package | 10-pin MSOP (RM, 3.00 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (RL7 = 7-inch reel) |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes / Compliant |
| Rheostat Configuration | Wiper to terminal A or terminal B (terminal A tied to B for rheostat mode) |
AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | A — Terminal A of the rheostat (connect to B for rheostat mode) |
| Pin 2 | W — Wiper terminal (programmable tap point) |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 4 | SDA — I2C data (open-drain, requires external pull-up to VDD) |
| Pin 5 | SCL — I2C clock (requires external pull-up to VDD) |
| Pin 6 | GND — Ground reference (digital section) |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply, 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Pin 8 | WP — Write-protect input for the 50-TP EEMEM (active high) |
| Pin 9 | B — Terminal B of the rheostat |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet pin configuration) |
Typical Applications
AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 is suitable for 7 applications: Mechanical Potentiometer Replacement, Instrumentation Amplifier Gain Adjustment, Programmable Voltage-to-Current Conversion, RF Attenuator Bias Adjustment, Sensor Linearization and Calibration, Display Brightness and Contrast Control, Audio Volume and Tone Control.
Mechanical Potentiometer Replacement
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 is a 1-circuit 1024-tap I2C digital rheostat with 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance, replacing mechanical potentiometers that are prone to vibration, dust, and wear in industrial systems. Its 1% end-to-end resistor tolerance error and 50-times-programmable nonvolatile memory allow the wiper to retain its calibrated setting across power cycles without an external EEPROM, which is critical for sealed or remote enclosures. In typical use, a microcontroller writes the desired wiper code via the 2.7 V to 5.5 V I2C bus at standard (100 kHz) or fast (400 kHz) data rates and the part powers up at midscale or at the previously saved RDAC value. Compared to a 20 kOhm mechanical pot, the AD5272 adds remote programmability while keeping the same resistance range and roughly the same physical footprint in a 10-pin MSOP. This makes it a strong fit for production-line calibration, where the wiper is set once at factory and never touched again.
Recommended
Instrumentation Amplifier Gain Adjustment
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 fits well as a digitally programmed gain-setting resistor in front of an instrumentation amplifier where the 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance can be scaled to deliver 1 to 1000 V/V gain steps. Its 1024-tap resolution provides 0.1% step granularity, and the 1% end-to-end tolerance error keeps the absolute gain error bounded. The 50-times-programmable EEMEM lets the calibration engineer store the final gain code once during factory calibration and have it survive every subsequent power cycle, which is essential for field-deployed sensor modules. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply range is compatible with both 3.3 V and 5 V analog rails, and the I2C interface shares the bus with other system sensors. Compared to a laser-trimmed fixed resistor pair, the AD5272 cuts board area and enables post-assembly calibration without mechanical intervention.
Recommended
Programmable Voltage-to-Current Conversion
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 can be wired as the programmable feedback resistor of an op-amp Howland-current-source or as a programmable series element in a voltage-to-current (V-to-I) converter, where the 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance maps cleanly into standard 4 mA to 20 mA industrial loop currents. The 1024 taps give 10-bit resolution on the output current, while the 50-TP EEMEM allows the loop trim to be stored nonvolatilely and re-loaded after every power cycle. The I2C interface (standard 100 kHz / fast 400 kHz) lets the host microcontroller adjust the loop current in real time without powering down the analog front end. Compared to a fixed resistor + DAC solution, the AD5272 saves one active component and offers finer resolution at the cost of an additional ground reference. This application is typical in industrial process-control transmitters and loop-powered sensor conditioners.
Recommended
RF Attenuator Bias Adjustment
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 is suited to bias adjustment of PIN-diode attenuators and GaAs FET bias networks in RF front-end modules, where its 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance is in the right range for bias-current-setting resistor dividers. The 1024-tap resolution enables fine-grained bias trim during factory calibration, while the 50-times-programmable EEMEM stores the final bias point to avoid repeated recalibration. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply is compatible with the small-signal RF section's analog rail. The CMOS switch architecture handles RF signal amplitudes within the VDD supply rail - for higher-amplitude RF, an external bias tee is still required. Compared to mechanical trim pots, the AD5272 removes a moving part near the RF section, reducing microphonics and improving temperature stability.
Recommended
Sensor Linearization and Calibration
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 is well-suited to bridge-sensor linearization and end-of-line calibration, where a host microcontroller computes a correction polynomial and writes the resulting wiper code to the AD5272 via the I2C bus at 100 kHz or 400 kHz. The 1024 taps and 1% end-to-end tolerance allow the part to act as the reference resistor in a bridge-excitation circuit or as a programmable shunt across a thermistor or RTD. The 50-TP nonvolatile memory lets the final calibration value persist across power cycles, which is critical for sealed sensor modules that are calibrated once in the factory. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply aligns with the typical sensor analog supply rail. Compared to a digital-only solution, the AD5272 keeps an analog trim in the signal path, which preserves resolution at low signal levels.
Recommended
Display Brightness and Contrast Control
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 is often used to set the contrast voltage of character LCDs or as a programmable current-setting resistor for LED backlight drivers, replacing mechanical trim pots that drift with vibration and temperature. Its 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance is well-matched to typical LCD contrast-voltage divider networks (typically 10 kOhm to 50 kOhm), and its 1024 taps give smoother brightness ramps than a 256-tap alternative. The 50-TP EEMEM allows the user's preferred brightness or contrast to be stored across power cycles, eliminating the need for re-calibration. The I2C interface (100 kHz / 400 kHz) shares the bus with the host microcontroller's other peripherals. Compared to a PWM-driven brightness scheme, the AD5272 produces a clean DC bias with no PWM ripple, which simplifies EMI filtering on noise-sensitive displays.
Recommended
Audio Volume and Tone Control
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 can act as a digital volume or tone-control element in audio signal paths where its 20 kOhm end-to-end resistance fits into the standard 10 kOhm to 50 kOhm volume-control networks used in consumer audio. The 1024 taps provide 0.1 dB step resolution over a 60 dB attenuation range when wired as a rheostat in the signal path. The 50-TP EEMEM stores the user's last volume setting so that audio returns to the same level after power-up - useful for TV and set-top-box applications. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply is compatible with typical 3.3 V to 5 V analog audio rails. Compared to a digital volume-control IC, the AD5272 keeps the volume control in the analog path, preserving audio fidelity and avoiding quantization noise in the digital domain.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD5272BRMZ-50-RL7 | AD5272BRMZ-100-RL7 | AD5272BRMZ-20 | AD5274BRMZ-20-RL7 | AD5272BCPZ-20-RL7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Package | 10-MSOP (RM, 3.00 mm) | 10-MSOP (RM) - same | 10-MSOP (RM) - same | 10-MSOP (RM) - same | 10-MSOP (RM) - same | 10-LFCSP (CP) - different footprint |
| Number of Taps | 1024 | 1024 | 1024 | 1024 | 256 (-75%) | 1024 |
| End-to-End Resistance | 20 kOhm | 50 kOhm | 100 kOhm | 20 kOhm (identical) | 20 kOhm | 20 kOhm (identical) |
| Interface | I2C (100/400 kHz) | I2C (100/400 kHz) | I2C (100/400 kHz) | I2C (100/400 kHz) | I2C (100/400 kHz) | I2C (100/400 kHz) |
| Nonvolatile Memory | 50-TP EEMEM | 50-TP EEMEM | 50-TP EEMEM | 50-TP EEMEM | 50-TP EEMEM | 50-TP EEMEM |
| Supply Voltage | 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 | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Tolerance (1% | 1% end-to-end R-AB | 1% end-to-end R-AB | 1% end-to-end R-AB | 1% end-to-end R-AB | 1% end-to-end R-AB | 1% end-to-end R-AB |
Key Differentiators
- Only 20 kOhm variant in the AD5272 family that is widely stocked at qty-1 on multiple distributors (vs AD5272BRMZ-50-RL7)
- 10-bit (1024-tap) resolution versus 8-bit (256-tap) on the AD5274 family (vs AD5274BRMZ-20-RL7)
- Integrated 50-times programmable nonvolatile memory on-chip (vs MCP4651T-103E/ST)
Design Notes
The AD5272BRMZ-20-RL7 operates from a single 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply on VDD (pin 7), per the ADI AD5272/AD5274 datasheet. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor in parallel with a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor placed within a few millimeters of the pin. Note that quiescent supply current is on the order of microamperes during normal operation and rises briefly during EEMEM write events - keep this in mind when powering from a high-impedance rail or a battery.
Both SDA and SCL require external pull-up resistors (typically 2.2 kOhm to 10 kOhm) to VDD, per the ADI AD5272/AD5274 datasheet. For fast-mode (400 kHz) operation, keep the bus capacitance below the I2C spec limit (typically 400 pF total) and use 2.2 kOhm pull-ups. Avoid routing SDA/SCL next to switching-node traces (DC-DC converters, clock lines) to prevent coupled noise on the I2C bus.
Do not apply a signal to the W, A, or B terminal that exceeds VDD + 0.3 V or drops below GND - 0.3 V; per the ADI AD5272/AD5274 datasheet, exceeding these absolute-maximum terminal voltages will damage the CMOS ESD structure. For bipolar or ac-coupled signals, bias the rheostat network inside the supply headroom. Also note that the 50-TP EEMEM has a finite write budget: use the RDAC register for transient wiper positions and only commit to EEMEMEM when the value is final. Repeated EEMEM writes will eventually exceed the write cycle guarantee.
The 10-pin MSOP package has a small thermal mass, and self-heating from continuous terminal current (max ~20 mA per terminal per the ADI AD5272/AD5274 datasheet) is generally negligible in typical rheostat-mode applications. Estimated: at 5 V across the rheostat at 20 mA continuous current, dissipation is 100 mW, producing a junction-temperature rise of approximately 5 C above ambient - well within the -40 C to +125 C operating window. Still, avoid routing high current through the rheostat when the host can place a discrete power resistor in the path.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Analog Devices product ordering guide. Lead-free (Pb-free) MSOP package, reflow to 260 C peak per JEDEC J-STD-020 MSL1. AEC-Q100 not applicable for industrial-grade consumer digipot. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
