News & Events
Xicor® Introduces New Quad 256-Tap Digital Potentiometer

-- X9252 series has 2-wire serial and push pot compatible interfaces

MILPITAS, California – July 21, 2003 – Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq: XICO), a leading supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, today announced the X9252 family of quad 256-tap nonvolatile digital programmable potentiometers to broaden its DCP family of mixed signal products.

Each of the four digitally controlled potentiometers in the X9252 family features a 256-tap wiper with 255-segmented resistors. In addition, potentiometer specific registers store multiple wiper positions for non- volatile recall upon device power up, eliminating the need for an on-board initializing microcontroller. Combining this with the many available total resistance options (2.8k, 10k, 50k, 100k ohms), the X9252 family can be an integral component for initial calibration as well as dynamic control applications.

Programming the potentiometer is achieved through a traditional 2-wire serial interface or through an Up/Down interface that provides single-step tuning of the potentiometer wiper position. With this added option, customers can perform initial manufacturing calibration with the 2-wire interface in addition to real-time dynamic adjustments. The wiper protect function of the X9252 also introduces a control mechanism for designers and production technicians to set, save and reset the wiper position.

Target applications include process controls requiring retention parameters, data acquisition systems requiring pre-configured voltage reference levels and signal conditioning circuits requiring zero offset and span correction in various sensors (such as temperature, pressure, IR, etc.). Power amplifier biasing for RF, audio and amplifiers requiring gain or phase control are also applications of the X9252. “The innovation of the X9252 dual interface is the best solution for dynamic control or real- time calibration systems,” stated Tony Ochoa, product marketing manager. “The 2-wire serial interface is ideal for the initial programming of the potentiometer while the Up/Down interface is best for dynamic incremental tuning of the system.”

Production samples are ava ilable in 14-lead TSSOP packaging with 1k unit prices starting at $3.25 USD.

Xicor Corporate Information
Xicor designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits used in communications, computing, networking and industrial applications. Xicor’s Mixed-Signal Products include data conversion products, power management integrated circuits, and application specific standard products and interface devices. Xicor’s programmable analog mixed-signal components regulate, control, convert and manage various voltages and currents through the use of a serial interface and internal EEPROM.

Xicor product, corporate and financial information are readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com

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