AD5291/AD5292 Data Sheet
THEORY OF OPERATION
The AD5291 and AD5292 digital potentiometers are designed
to operate as true variable resistors for analog signals that
remain within the terminal voltage range of VSS < VTERM <
VDD. The patented ±1% resistor tolerance feature helps to
minimize the total RDAC resistance error, which reduces the
overall system error by offering better absolute matching and
improved open-loop performance. The digital potentiometer
wiper position is determined by the RDAC register contents.
The RDAC register acts as a scratchpad register, allowing as
many value changes as necessary to place the potentiometer
wiper in the correct position. The RDAC register can be
programmed with any position setting using the standard SPI
interface by loading the 16-bit data-word. Once a desirable
position is found, this value can be stored in a 20-TP memory
register. Thereafter, the wiper position is always restored to that
position for subsequent power-up. The storing of 20-TP data
takes approximately 6 ms; during this time, the shift register is
locked, preventing any changes from taking place. The RDY pin
identifies the completion of this 20-TP storage.
SERIAL DATA INTERFACE
The AD5291 and AD5292 contain a serial interface (SYNC,
SCLK, DIN and SDO) that is compatible with SPI interface
standards, as well as most DSPs. The part allows writing of data
via the serial interface to every register.
SHIFT REGISTER
The AD5291 and AD5292 shift register is 16 bits wide (see
Figure 2). The 16-bit input word consists of two zeros, followed
by four control bits, and 10 RDAC data bits. For the AD5291,
the lower two RDAC data bits are don’t cares if the RDAC
register is read from or written to. Data is loaded MSB first (Bit
DB15). The four control bits determine the function of the
software command (see Table 11). Figure 3 shows a timing
diagram of a typical AD5291 and AD5292 write sequence.
The write sequence begins by bringing the SYNC line low. The
SYNC pin must be held low until the complete data-word is
loaded from the DIN pin. When SYNC returns high, the serial
data-word is decoded according to the commands in Table 11.
The command bits (Cx) control the operation of the digital
potentiometer. The data bits (Dx) are the values that are loaded
into the decoded register. The AD5291 and AD5292 have an
internal counter that counts a multiple of 16 bits (a frame) for
proper operation. For example, AD5291 and AD5292 work with
a 32-bit word but does not work properly with a 31-bit or 33-bit
word. The AD5291 and AD5292 do not require a continuous
SCLK, when SYNC is high, and all serial interface pins should
be operated at close to the VLOGIC supply rails to minimize
power consumption in the digital input buffers.
RDAC REGISTER
The RDAC register directly controls the position of the digital
potentiometer wiper. For example, when the RDAC register is
loaded with all zeros, the wiper is connected to Terminal B of
the variable resistor. The RDAC register is a standard logic
register; there is no restriction on the number of changes
allowed.
Table 11. Command Operation Truth Table
Command DB15 DB14
Command
Bits[DB13:DB10] Data Bits[DB9:DB0]1
C3 C2 C1 C0 D9 D8 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 Operation
1 0 0 0 0 0 1 D9 D8 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D12 D02 Write contents of serial data to
RDAC.
Read RDAC wiper setting from the
SDO output in the next frame.
3 0 0 0 0 1 1 X X X X X X X X X X Store wiper setting: store RDAC
setting to 20-TP memory.
4 0 0 0 1 0 0 X X X X X X X X X X Reset: refresh RDAC with 20-TP
stored value.
5 0 0 0 1 0 1 X X X X X D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 Read contents of 20-TP memory,
or status of 20-TP memory, from
the SDO output in the next frame.
6 0 0 0 1 1 0 X X X X X X D3 D2 D1 D0 Write contents of serial data to
control register.
7 0 0 0 1 1 1 X X X X X X X X X X Read control register from the
SDO output in the next frame.
8 0 0 1 0 0 0 X X X X X X X X X D0 Software shutdown.
D0 = 0 (normal mode).
D0 = 1 (device placed in shutdown
mode).
1 X = don’t care.
2 In the AD5291, this bit is a don’t care.
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