MCP4242-104E/UN Microchip Integrated Circuit (Small Outline Packages) In Stock
Microchip MCP4242-104E/UN is a dual-channel 128-step 100 kΩ SPI digital potentiometer in a 10-pin MSOP package. Uses increment/decrement SPI control for non-volatile wiper position storage across power cycles. Available for worldwide shipping from authorized distributors.
- Manufacturer
- Microchip
- Package
- Small Outline Packages
- Pin Count
- 10
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- MCP4242-104E/UN Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Price
- From $0.9370(MOQ 1)
- Temp Range
- -40.0°C to 125.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of MCP4242-104E/UN?
- Dual independent 128-step wipers on a single IC replace two mechanical potentiometers with digitally programmable resistance from 0 Ω to 100 kΩ
- SPI increment/decrement interface with up/down commands enables straightforward firmware control without address-register overhead
- Non-volatile wiper position storage retains the last set resistance after power-down, eliminating re-initialization routines on start-up
- 10-pin MSOP package with 0.5 mm pitch provides a compact 3 mm × 3 mm footprint for space-constrained analog tuning applications
What is MCP4242-104E/UN used for?
MCP4242-104E/UN is used in audio equipment for digitally adjustable volume and tone controls, replacing mechanical potentiometers with software-controlled attenuation over 128 discrete steps. Industrial calibration systems use it to trim analog sensor offsets and gain stages via SPI commands from a host microcontroller, replacing manual trimmer potentiometers. It also finds use in test and measurement instruments and LCD bias voltage generators that require precise, repeatable resistance adjustment across operating cycles.
What are the specifications of MCP4242-104E/UN?
| Pbfree Code | Yes |
| Manufacturer Package Code | MSOP-10 |
| Factory Lead Time | 8Weeks |
| YTEOL | 9 |
| Bandwidth-Nom | 0.1kHz |
| Control Interface | INCREMENT/DECREMENT |
| Converter Type | DIGITAL POTENTIOMETER |
| JESD-30 Code | S-PDSO-G10 |
| JESD-609 Code | e3 |
| Number of Functions | 1 |
| Number of Positions | 257 |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Equivalence Code | TSSOP10,.19,20 |
| Package Shape | SQUARE |
| Package Style | SMALL OUTLINE, THIN PROFILE, SHRINK PITCH |
| Peak Reflow Temperature (Cel) | 260 |
| Qualification Status | Not Qualified |
| Resistance Law | LINEAR |
| Resistance Tolerance-Max | 20% |
| Resistor Terminal Voltage-Max | 5V |
| Supply Current-Max | 1mA |
| Supply Voltage-Nom | 5V |
| Surface Mount | YES |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Temperature Coefficient-Nom | 150ppm/°C |
| Temperature Grade | AUTOMOTIVE |
| Terminal Finish | Matte Tin (Sn) |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| Terminal Pitch | 0.5mm |
| Terminal Position | DUAL |
| Total Resistance-Nom | 100000Ω |
| Package | Small Outline Packages |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level | MSL 1 |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| HTS Code | 8542.39.00.01 |
| Country of Origin | Thailand |
Where can I find the MCP4242-104E/UN datasheet?
MCP4242-104E/UN Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from Microchip
What are equivalent replacements for MCP4242-104E/UN?
No known alternates. Submit an RFQ and our team can suggest alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many resistance steps does MCP4242-104E/UN provide and what is the step resolution on its 100 kΩ end-to-end resistance?
MCP4242-104E/UN provides 128 wiper positions over a 100 kΩ end-to-end resistance, giving a step size of approximately 781 Ω per step. The wiper resistance itself adds about 75 Ω, so minimum wiper-to-terminal resistance is near 75 Ω rather than 0 Ω, which designers must account for in precision voltage-divider and gain-setting circuits.
Does MCP4242-104E/UN retain its wiper position after power is removed, and how does that affect system start-up code?
Yes, the non-volatile memory stores the wiper position and restores it automatically at power-up, so firmware does not need to re-send the calibration value after each reset. This is critical for production-calibrated instruments, audio volume controls, and industrial gain stages that must power on with a known configuration without an MCU initialization sequence.
How does the increment/decrement SPI interface of MCP4242-104E/UN differ from the register-based interface found on other digital potentiometers?
Instead of writing an absolute wiper position to a register, firmware sends UP or DOWN commands that shift the wiper by 1 step per command, allowing simple button-controlled or encoder-driven adjustments without tracking absolute position in software. This interface requires fewer SPI words for incremental changes but makes large jumps slower — up to 127 commands — compared to a single register write on direct-address devices.
Can both channels of MCP4242-104E/UN be controlled independently over SPI in a dual-channel audio volume application?
Yes, the 2 channels have separate wiper registers addressable via the SPI command byte's channel-select bits, allowing independent volume control for left and right audio channels using a single CS line. Both channels can also be simultaneously incremented or decremented with a single broadcast command for ganged volume adjustments, reducing SPI transaction count by 50%.
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More from Microchip
| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | $1.4000 | $1.40 |
| 100+ | $1.0600 | $106.00 |
| 1000+ | $1.0200 | $1020.00 |
| 5000+ | $0.9480 | $4740.00 |
| 7500+ | $0.9390 | $7042.50 |
| 10000+ | $0.9370 | $9370.00 |
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