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
Key Features
- 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
Applications
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.
Specifications
| 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 |
Alternate & Equivalent Parts
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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| 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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