The MAX5481–MAX5484 10-bit (1024-tap) nonvolatile, linear-taper, programmable voltage-dividers and variable resistors perform the function of a mechanical potentiometer, but replace the mechanics with a pin-configurable 3-wire serial SPI™-compatible interface or up/down digital interface. The MAX5481/MAX5482 are 3-terminal voltage-dividers and the MAX5483/MAX5484 are 2-terminal variable resistors.

The MAX5481–MAX5484 feature an internal, nonvolatile, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) that stores the wiper position for initialization during power-up. The 3-wire SPI-compatible serial interface allows communication at data rates up to 7MHz. A pin-selectable up/down digital interface is also available.

The MAX5481–MAX5484 are ideal for applications requiring digitally controlled potentiometers. Two end-to-end resistance values are available (10kΩ and 50kΩ) in a voltage-divider or a variable-resistor configuration (see the Selector Guide in the full data sheet). The nominal resistor temperature coefficient is 35ppm/°C end-to-end, and only 5ppm/°C ratiometric, making these devices ideal for applications requiring low-temperature-coefficient voltage-dividers, such as low-drift, programmable gain-amplifiers.

The MAX5481–MAX5484 operate with either a +2.7V to +5.25V single power supply or ±2.5V dual power supplies. These devices consume 400µA (max) of supply current when writing data to the nonvolatile memory and 1.0µA (max) of standby supply current. The MAX5481–MAX5484 are available in a space-saving (3mm x 3mm), 16-pin TQFN, or a 14-pin TSSOP package and are specified over the extended (-40°C to +85°C) temperature range.