Microchip Technology

MCP4242-502E/UN  

Digital Potentiometers

MCP4242-502E/UN Description

The MCP4242-502E/UN is a high-performance digital potentiometer from Microchip Technology, designed for applications requiring precise resistance control. This device features a 5kΩ resistance with a tolerance of ±20%, making it suitable for a wide range of analog signal processing tasks. The MCP4242-502E/UN is configured as a rheostat, offering 129 taps for fine resistance adjustment. It operates within a supply voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, ensuring compatibility with various power supply configurations. The device is housed in a surface-mount 10MSOP package, making it ideal for compact designs.

MCP4242-502E/UN Features

• Resistance and Tolerance: The MCP4242-502E/UN offers a nominal resistance of 5kΩ with a tolerance of ±20%, providing a wide range of resistance values for precise control.
• Configuration: Configured as a rheostat, this digital potentiometer allows for single-ended resistance adjustment, simplifying circuit design.
• Temperature Coefficient: With a temperature coefficient of 150ppm/°C, the MCP4242-502E/UN ensures stable performance across varying temperatures.
• Number of Taps: The device features 129 taps, enabling fine-grained resistance adjustment for precise control in applications.
• Supply Voltage: Operating within a supply voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, the MCP4242-502E/UN is versatile and compatible with a variety of power supply systems.
• Interface: The MCP4242-502E/UN utilizes an SPI interface for communication, providing a fast and efficient means of controlling the potentiometer.
• Wiper Resistance: The typical wiper resistance is 75Ω, ensuring minimal impact on circuit performance.
• Taper: The linear taper ensures consistent resistance changes, making it suitable for applications requiring precise and linear adjustments.
• Compliance and Packaging: The MCP4242-502E/UN is REACH unaffected and RoHS3 compliant, ensuring environmental safety. It is packaged in a tube, facilitating easy handling and storage.

MCP4242-502E/UN Applications

The MCP4242-502E/UN is ideal for applications requiring precise resistance control and adjustment. Some specific use cases include:

• Audio Applications: The precise resistance control makes it suitable for audio volume control, tone adjustment, and other audio signal processing tasks.
• Medical Devices: The device's stability and precision make it ideal for medical equipment where accurate resistance control is critical.
• Industrial Control: The MCP4242-502E/UN can be used in industrial control systems for adjusting sensor gains, filter characteristics, and other analog signal processing tasks.
• Automotive Systems: The wide operating voltage range and temperature stability make it suitable for automotive applications where environmental conditions can vary significantly.
• Consumer Electronics: The compact size and surface-mount package make it ideal for consumer electronics where space is at a premium.

Conclusion of MCP4242-502E/UN

The MCP4242-502E/UN from Microchip Technology is a versatile and high-performance digital potentiometer, offering precise resistance control with a wide range of taps and a stable temperature coefficient. Its SPI interface and compact surface-mount package make it easy to integrate into various designs. The device's compliance with environmental standards and its robust performance characteristics make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, from audio processing to industrial control systems. The MCP4242-502E/UN stands out in its category, providing unique advantages such as fine-grained resistance adjustment and compatibility with a broad range of power supply voltages.

MCP4242-502E/UN Documents

Download datasheets and manufacturer documentation for MCP4242-502E/UN

Datasheets :

MCP414x/416x/424x/426x      

PCN Packaging :

Packing Changes 10/Oct/2016       Label and Packing Changes 23/Sep/2015      

Design Resources :

MCP4242 Development Tool Selector      

Environmental Information :

Microchip CA Prop65       Microchip RoHS       Microchip REACH