MCP4361-503E/ST - 50kΩ Quad 8-bit SPI Digital Potentiometer | Microchip
MPN： MCP4361-503E/ST ✓ 啟用中MCP4361-503E/ST 概覽
A digital potentiometer (digipot) is a solid-state, electronically controlled variable resistor that emulates the mechanical wiper action of a traditional potentiometer through an array of fixed resistor segments switched by MOSFET transistors. It sits in the signal-chain hierarchy between analog passives (mechanical pots, trimmers) and active programmable components (DACs, voltage references), offering digital control, non-volatile memory, and small footprint while trading off absolute accuracy and current-handling versus mechanical parts. Digipots are commonly used for calibration, gain control, and bias adjustment in systems where software-driven tuning replaces manual trim.
Key features of the MCP4361-503E/ST include a high-resolution 257-tap wiper position per channel, an SPI-compatible serial interface running up to 10 MHz, a hardware RESET input, and WiperLock technology to prevent unauthorized wiper changes. Each channel can be configured as a two-terminal rheostat or three-terminal potentiometer divider, with separate high-side (PxA) and low-side (PxW/PxB) terminal access.
Architecturally, the device uses a non-volatile EEPROM cell per wiper so the wiper position is retained across power cycles without software intervention, enabling true plug-and-play calibration in field-deployed equipment. The SPI interface supports both byte and sequential (block/sequential) write/read modes for fast multi-channel updates, and an additional high-voltage (HV) output pin allows direct drive of analog switches in audio or H-bridge systems.
Typical applications include LCD display contrast and backlight brightness control, programmable gain amplifiers, sensor calibration and offset trimming, audio volume and tone control, and industrial 4 mA to 20 mA current-loop trims. The wide supply range and industrial temperature grade suit automotive body electronics, programmable logic controllers, and instrumentation front ends.
When designing with this part, keep wiper current below 1 mA continuous to avoid non-linear resistance drift and ensure the SPI lines are pulled to defined logic levels during reset. Decouple VDD with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin to suppress digital switching noise on the analog wiper terminals.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand Microchip alternatives, application notes, and design guidance not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
直接替換替代品，適用於 MCP4361-503E/ST — 相同封裝，腳位對腳位相容。需重新設計 PCB 的不同封裝零件不列入。
此系列的變體
與下列產品可直接替換的同系列型號： MCP4361-503E/ST （相同外形與佔位） — 差異在於 Package, Resistance Tolerance, Interface, MSL Level, Number of Channels.
MCP4361-103E/ST
✅ 直接替換📋 參考替代品（不在目錄中）
MCP4361-104E/ST
✅ 直接替換📋 參考替代品（不在目錄中）
MCP4341-503E/ST
✅ 直接替換📋 參考替代品（不在目錄中）
MCP4362-503E/ST
✅ 直接替換聯絡詢價
查看資料表 →MCP4342-503E/ST
✅ 直接替換 ⚠️ 規格未經驗證聯絡詢價
查看資料表 →MCP4361-503E/ST 最大額定值與電氣特性
| Part Number | MCP4361-503E/ST |
| 功能 | Non-volatile digital potentiometer, quad channel |
| End-to-End Resistance (RAB) | 50 kΩ |
| Number of Channels | 4 (Quad) |
| Number of Taps (Wiper Steps) | 257 (8-bit) |
| 介面 | SPI-compatible serial |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Resistance Tolerance | ±20 % |
| Wiper Resistance (typ) | 75 Ω |
| Temperature Coefficient | 150 ppm/°C (typ) |
| 工作溫度 | -40 °C to +125 °C |
| Non-Volatile Memory | EEPROM wiper storage (WiperLock) |
| Configuration | Potentiometer or Rheostat per channel |
| 封裝 | 20-pin TSSOP (4.40 mm body) |
| 安裝類型 | Surface Mount |
| RoHS 狀態 | Compliant |
| MSL 等級 | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30 °C/85 % RH) |
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
MCP4361-503E/ST 腳位配置
| 腳位 1 | P0A — Channel 0 terminal A (high side) |
| 腳位 2 | P0W — Channel 0 wiper terminal |
| 腳位 3 | P0B — Channel 0 terminal B (low side) |
| 腳位 4 | P1A — Channel 1 terminal A (high side) |
| 腳位 5 | P1W — Channel 1 wiper terminal |
| 腳位 6 | P1B — Channel 1 terminal B (low side) |
| 腳位 7 | P2A — Channel 2 terminal A (high side) |
| 腳位 8 | P2W — Channel 2 wiper terminal |
| 腳位 9 | P2B — Channel 2 terminal B (low side) |
| 腳位 10 | P3A — Channel 3 terminal A (high side) |
| 腳位 11 | P3W — Channel 3 wiper terminal |
| 腳位 12 | P3B — Channel 3 terminal B (low side) |
| 腳位 13 | HV — High-voltage analog output |
| 腳位 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.7 V to 5.5 V) |
| 腳位 15 | VSS — Ground reference |
| 腳位 16 | CS — SPI chip-select (active low) |
| 腳位 17 | SCK — SPI serial clock |
| 腳位 18 | SI — SPI serial data input (MOSI) |
| 腳位 19 | SO — SPI serial data output (MISO) |
| 腳位 20 | RESET — Hardware reset (active low) |
典型應用
MCP4361-503E/ST 適用於 7 應用s: LCD Display Contrast and Backlight Brightness Control, Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) Calibration, Audio Volume and Tone Control, Sensor Calibration and Offset Trimming, Industrial 4-20 mA Current Loop Trimming, Programmable Voltage Reference and Bias Generator, White LED Current Bias for Backlight Drivers.
LCD Display Contrast and Backlight Brightness Control
The MCP4361-503E/ST adjusts LCD bias voltage and backlight LED current in TFT or character LCD modules with 257-step resolution, replacing mechanical trim pots that drift with vibration and age. One channel sets the VCOM contrast rail (typically 3 V to 5 V) while a second channel programs the backlight driver current via an op-amp follower, and the on-chip EEPROM retains settings across power cycles so no MCU initialization is needed. Compared to a 7-bit MCP4341, the 8-bit tap resolution halves the contrast step size for smoother user-facing brightness ramps. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply matches both 3.3 V and 5 V LCD logic rails directly.
推薦
Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) Calibration
Use the MCP4361-503E/ST as the feedback resistor in an op-amp non-inverting PGA, where its 50 kΩ RAB and 257-tap resolution yield a gain range of 1 to 256 with 0.39 % per step. The non-volatile EEPROM allows factory-calibrated gain to persist without MCU boot code, ideal for instrumentation front-ends that must report correct gain immediately after power-on. Two channels can be cascaded for ultra-fine log-step gain control, while the SPI interface enables host-side gain reconfiguration in production test fixtures. Compared to mechanical pots, the digital wiper eliminates vibration-induced gain drift in industrial environments.
推薦
Audio Volume and Tone Control
The MCP4361-503E/ST serves as a stereo logarithmic audio attenuator by configuring two channels as voltage dividers across the audio signal path, with 257 taps providing perceptually smooth volume ramps. A third channel can shape the tone-control filter cutoff, while the fourth handles balance between left/right outputs. The 75 Ω wiper resistance is negligible compared to typical 10 kΩ audio impedances, preserving THD+N performance better than mechanical pots that suffer from wiper noise. SPI control allows software volume mixing for multi-zone audio products like marine or automotive head units.
推薦
Sensor Calibration and Offset Trimming
Bridge sensors, thermocouples, and photodiodes often need fine offset nulling at production; the MCP4361-503E/ST provides 257 trim steps with on-chip EEPROM storage of the calibration value, eliminating per-unit manual trim during final test. Place the digipot in series with the sensor bias resistor and let an MCU adjust the wiper until the ADC reads zero offset, then issue an EEPROM STORE command. The WiperLock technology prevents accidental writes that would corrupt the factory calibration, and the 150 ppm/°C tempco adds minimal drift over industrial -40 °C to +125 °C ranges. Compared to one-time fuses, the digipot allows in-field recalibration via SPI.
推薦
Industrial 4-20 mA Current Loop Trimming
In 4-20 mA current-loop transmitters (IEC 61131-2), the MCP4361-503E/ST calibrates the zero (4 mA) and span (16 mA) DAC reference voltages, with the EEPROM ensuring calibration survives field deployment for years. One channel trims the offset DAC, a second trims the full-scale DAC, and the remaining channels monitor test points or redundancy paths. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply works from the same 24 V loop-derived rail after regulation, and the -40 °C to +125 °C industrial temperature grade handles outdoor installations. SPI enables remote recalibration over HART or wirelesshart modems without opening the enclosure.
推薦
Programmable Voltage Reference and Bias Generator
Use the MCP4361-503E/ST as the lower leg of a resistor divider from a fixed reference (e.g., 2.5 V) to generate 257 programmable bias voltages between 0 V and VREF, ideal for setting comparator thresholds, ADC full-scale, or RF power-detector reference points. The non-volatile memory retains the bias value across power cycles, so analog circuits wake up at the correct threshold without CPU intervention. With 50 kΩ RAB and 75 Ω wiper resistance, the output impedance stays under 1 kΩ even at extreme tap positions, minimizing reference loading errors. Compared to a DAC, this approach offers lower cost and built-in EEPROM at the price of step-quantized output.
推薦
White LED Current Bias for Backlight Drivers
Drive the FB pin of a white-LED boost converter (e.g., LM3414) with an MCP4361-503E/ST channel to set LED current digitally in 257 steps, replacing a discrete current-sense resistor that would otherwise be hand-selected per brightness bin. The 50 kΩ RAB provides a wide adjustment range from a few mA to 30 mA without external op-amps, and the EEPROM stores the factory-tuned brightness calibration. A second channel can dim the LED via PWM frequency programming or set the fault-threshold comparator. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply aligns with the boost converter's VDD rail, simplifying PCB layout.
推薦
推薦產品摘要
工程參考資料，適用於 MCP4361-503E/ST — 比較、設計指引及合規資訊。
選型指南
與替代品比較
| 參數 | 本產品 | MCP4361-103E/ST | MCP4361-104E/ST | MCP4341-503E/ST | MCP4362-503E/ST | MCP4342-503E/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-TSSOP | 20-TSSOP - same | 20-TSSOP - same | 20-TSSOP - same | 20-TSSOP - same | 20-TSSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| End-to-End Resistance | 50 kΩ | 10 kΩ | 100 kΩ | 50 kΩ | 50 kΩ | 50 kΩ |
| Number of Taps | 257 (8-bit) | 257 (8-bit) | 257 (8-bit) | 129 (7-bit) | 257 (8-bit) | 129 (7-bit) |
| Number of Channels | 4 (Quad) | 4 (Quad) | 4 (Quad) | 4 (Quad) | 4 (Quad) | 2 (Dual) |
| Interface | SPI | SPI | SPI | SPI | I²C | SPI |
| 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C |
| Non-Volatile Wiper Storage | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) | Yes (EEPROM) |
主要差異化特點
- Quad 8-bit resolution in single 20-TSSOP (對比MCP4341-503E/ST)
- On-chip EEPROM wiper retention (對比AD8400 family (Analog Devices))
- WiperLock technology prevents unauthorized writes (對比MCP4018 (single-channel volatile))
設計說明
Estimated: at VDD=5.5 V with all four channels active in mid-tap position, the MCP4361-503E/ST draws approximately 0.45 mA quiescent current plus wiper current (V/I across RAB/2 ≈ 110 µA per channel at 50 kΩ mid-scale), for a total of ~0.9 mA. Place a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a 10 µF bulk capacitor at the PCB input. Avoid placing the digipot near switching regulator inductors to prevent wiper noise injection.
The 75 Ω wiper resistance of the MCP4361-503E/ST introduces a small series resistance that interacts with the load capacitance at high tap counts. For AC-coupled audio or RF applications, keep the source impedance below 1 kΩ to avoid high-frequency roll-off above 100 kHz. Route the SPI lines (CS, SCK, SI, SO) over a continuous ground plane and keep them at least 3 mm away from the analog wiper traces to minimize digital-to-analog crosstalk. Use 33 Ω series resistors on SCK and SI if the trace length exceeds 50 mm.
Do not apply voltages beyond VDD+0.3 V or below VSS-0.3 V on the PxA, PxW, or PxB pins, or the internal ESD diodes will forward-bias and may damage the part. Do not exceed wiper currents above 1 mA continuous, as this shifts the effective resistance due to self-heating. Always issue a software STORE command after writing the volatile wiper register if you need non-volatile retention. Avoid toggling CS while SCK is active, as this can corrupt the SPI frame and leave the wiper in an undefined state.
合規資訊
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs, contact Microchip for the MCP4361-503E/ST-VAO automotive-grade variant.
