AD5160
OPERATION
The AD5160 is a 256-position digitally controlled variable
resistor (VR) device.
The general equation determining the digitally programmed
output resistance between W and B is
An internal power-on preset places the wiper at midscale
during power-on, which simplifies the fault condition recovery
at power-up.
D
256
RWB (D) =
×RAB +RW
(1)
where D is the decimal equivalent of the binary code loaded in
the 8-bit RDAC register, RAB is the end-to-end resistance, and
RW is the wiper resistance contributed by the on resistance of
the internal switch.
PROGRAMMING THE VARIABLE RESISTOR
Rheostat Operation
The nominal resistance of the RDAC between terminals A and
B is available in 5 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ, and 100 kΩ. The final two
or three digits of the part number determine the nominal
resistance value, e.g., 10 kΩ = 10ꢀ 50 kΩ = 50. The nominal
resistance (RAB) of the VR has 256 contact points accessed by
the wiper terminal, plus the B terminal contact. The 8-bit data
in the RDAC latch is decoded to select one of the 256 possible
settings. Assume a 10 kΩ part is used, the wiper’s first
connection starts at the B terminal for data 0x00. Since there is a
60 Ω wiper contact resistance, such connection yields a
minimum of 60 Ω resistance between terminals W and B. The
second connection is the first tap point, which corresponds to
99 Ω (RWB = RAB/256 + RW = 39 Ω + 60 Ω) for data 0x01.
The third connection is the next tap point, representing 177 Ω
(2 × 39 Ω + 60 Ω) for data 0x02, and so on. Each LSB data value
increase moves the wiper up the resistor ladder until the last tap
point is reached at 9961 Ω (RAB – 1 LSB + RW). Figure 38 shows
a simplified diagram of the equivalent RDAC circuit where the
last resistor string will not be accessedꢀ therefore, there is 1 LSB
less of the nominal resistance at full scale in addition to the
wiper resistance.
In summary, if RAB = 10 kΩ and the A terminal is open
circuited, the following output resistance RWB will be set for the
indicated RDAC latch codes.
Table 6. Codes and Corresponding RWB Resistance
D (Dec.)
RWB (Ω)
9,961
5,060
99
Output State
255
128
1
Full Scale (RAB – 1 LSB + RW)
Midscale
1 LSB
0
60
Zero Scale (Wiper Contact Resistance)
Note that in the zero-scale condition a finite wiper resistance of
60 Ω is present. Care should be taken to limit the current flow
between W and B in this state to a maximum pulse current of
no more than 20 mA. Otherwise, degradation or possible
destruction of the internal switch contact can occur.
Similar to the mechanical potentiometer, the resistance of the
RDAC between the wiper W and terminal A also produces a
digitally controlled complementary resistance RWA. When these
terminals are used, the B terminal can be opened. Setting the
resistance value for RWA starts at a maximum value of resistance
and decreases as the data loaded in the latch increases in value.
The general equation for this operation is
A
RS
D7
D6
256 − D
256
RS
RWA (D) =
×RAB + RW
(2)
D5
D4
D3
D2
RS
D1
For RAB = 10 kΩ and the B terminal open circuited, the
following output resistance RWA will be set for the indicated
RDAC latch codes.
D0
W
RDAC
Table 7. Codes and Corresponding RWA Resistance
LATCH
RS
AND
B
D (Dec.)
RWA (Ω)
Output State
Full Scale
Midscale
1 LSB
DECODER
255
128
1
99
5,060
9,961
10,060
Figure 38. AD5160 Equivalent RDAC Circuit
0
Zero Scale
Typical device to device matching is process lot dependent and
may vary by up to 30%. Since the resistance element is
processed in thin film technology, the change in RAB with
temperature has a very low 45 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.
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