Microchip announces the MCP4341, MCP4342 (MCP434X), MCP4361 and MCP4362 (MCP436X) quad digital potentiometers. The 7- and 8-bit, non-volatile devices feature an SPI interface and static current consumption of 5 microamperes (maximum).

They are specified for operation from – 40°C to 125°C and are available in packages as small as 4mm x 4mm QFN, making them ideal for consumer and industrial applications, such as power-supply trim and calibration, set-point and process control, closed-loop servo control, PC peripherals, portable instrumentation, instrumentation offset adjust and signal conditioning.

Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP434X/436X devices can be controlled digitally, through a SPI interface. This eliminates the need for human interaction, which increases system accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput while decreasing manufacturing costs. Digital control also provides more system flexibility than mechanical control.

Non-volatile memory enables the digital potentiometers to retain their settings at power down, and their low static current consumption of 5 microamperes (max.) helps to extend battery life.

The MCP4341/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4mm x 4mm QFN packages. The MCP4361/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4mm x 4mm QFN packages.