The AD5243 and AD5248 provide a compact 3 mm × 4.9 mmpackaged solution for dual, 256-position adjustment applications.The AD5243 performs the same electronic adjustment functionas a 3-terminal mechanical potentiometer, and the AD5248performs the same adjustment function as a 2-terminal variableresistor. Available in four end-to-end resistance values (2.5 kΩ,10 kΩ, 50 kΩ, and 100 kΩ), these low temperature coefficientdevices are ideal for high accuracy and stability-variableresistance adjustments. The wiper settings are controllablethrough the I²C-compatible digital interface. The AD5248 hasextra package address decode pins, AD0 and AD1, allowingmultiple parts to share the same I²C, 2-wire bus on a PCB. Theresistance between the wiper and either endpoint of the fixedresistor varies linearly with respect to the digital code transferred into the RDAC latch. (The terms digital potentiometer, VR,and RDAC are used interchangeably.)

Operating from a 2.7 V to 5.5 V power supply and consumingless than 6 µA allows the AD5243/AD5248 to be used inportable battery-operated applications.

For applications that program the AD5243/AD5248 at thefactory, Analog Devices, Inc., offers device programmingsoftware running on Windows^® NT/2000/XP operating systems.This software effectively replaces the need for external I2Ccontrollers, which in turn enhances the time to market ofsystems. An AD5243/AD5248 evaluation kit and software areavailable. The kit includes a cable and instruction manual.

Applications

• Systems calibrations
• Electronics level settings
• Mechanical trimmers replacement in new designs
• Permanent factory printed circuit board (PCB) setting
• Transducer adjustment of pressure, temperature, position, chemical, and optical sensors
• RF amplifier biasing
• Gain control and offset adjustment

At least one model within this product family is in production and available for purchase. The product is appropriate for new designs but newer alternatives may exist.