Datasheet
Table Of Contents
- Features
- Applications
- Functional Block Diagram
- General Description
- Revision History
- Specifications
- Absolute Maximum Ratings
- Pin Configuration and Function Descriptions
- Typical Performance Characteristics
- Test Circuits
- I2C Interface
- Theory of Operation
- Programming the Variable Resistor
- Programming the Potentiometer Divider
- I2C-Compatible 2-Wire Serial Bus
- Level Shifting for Bidirectional Interface
- ESD Protection
- Terminal Voltage Operating Range
- Maximum Operating Current
- Power-Up Sequence
- Layout and Power Supply Bypassing
- Constant Bias to Retain Resistance Setting
- Outline Dimensions

AD5247 Data Sheet
Rev. F | Page 14 of 20
THEORY OF OPERATION
The AD5247 is a 128-position, digitally-controlled variable
resistor (VR) device. An internal power-on preset places the
wiper at midscale during power-on, which simplifies the
default condition recovery at power-up.
PROGRAMMING THE VARIABLE RESISTOR
Rheostat Operation
The nominal resistance (R
AB
) of the RDAC between Terminal A
and Terminal 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; for example, 10 kΩ = 10 and 50 kΩ = 50. The
R
AB
of the VR has 128 contact points accessed by the wiper
terminal, plus the B terminal contact. The 7-bit data in the
RDAC latch is decoded to select one of the 128 possible settings.
Assuming a 10 kΩ part is used, the wiper’s first connection starts
at the B terminal for Data 0x00. Because there is a 50 Ω wiper
contact resistance, such a connection yields a minimum of 100 Ω
(2 × 50 Ω) resistance between Terminal W and Terminal B. The
second connection is the first tap point, corresponding to 178 Ω
(R
WB
= R
AB
/128 + R
W
= 78 Ω + 2 × 50 Ω) for Data 0x01. The third
connection is the next tap point, representing 256 Ω (2 × 78 Ω
+ 2 × 50 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 10,100 Ω (R
AB
+ 2 × R
W
).
Figure 35 shows a simplified diagram of the equivalent RDAC
circuit where the last resistor string is not accessed.
Bx
Wx
Ax
D6
D4
D5
D2
D3
D1
D0
RDAC
LATCH
AND
DECODER
R
S
R
S
R
S
03876-034
Figure 35. AD5247 Equivalent RDAC Circuit
The general equation determining the digitally programmed
output resistance between W and B is
W
AB
WB
RR
D
(D)R ×+×= 2
128
(1)
where:
D is the decimal equivalent of the binary code loaded in the
7-bit RDAC register.
R
AB
is the end-to-end resistance.
R
W
is the wiper resistance contributed by the on resistance of
the internal switch.
In summary, if R
AB
= 10 kΩ and the Te rminal A is open-circuited,
the output resistance R
WB
, shown in Table 9, is set for the indicated
RDAC latch codes.
Table 9. Codes and Corresponding R
WB
Resistance
D (Decimal) R
WB
(Ω) Output State
127 10,072 Full scale (R
AB
+ 2 × R
W
)
64 5150 Midscale
1 228 1 LSB
0 150 Zero scale (wiper contact resistance)
Note that in the zero-scale condition, a finite resistance of
100 Ω between Terminal W and Terminal B 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 Wiper W and Terminal A also produces a
digitally controlled complementary resistance, R
WA
. When
these terminals are used, the Terminal B can be opened. Set the
resistance value for R
WA
to start at a maximum value of resistance
and to decrease the data loaded in the latch increases in value.
The general equation for this operation is
W
ABWA
RR
D
(D)R ×+×
−
= 2
128
128
(2)
If R
AB
= 10 kΩ and the B terminal is open-circuited, the output
resistance, R
WA
, shown in Table 10, is set for the indicated RDAC
latch codes.
Table 10. Codes and Corresponding R
WA
Resistance
D (Decimal) R
WA
(Ω) Output State
127
228
Full scale
64 5150 Midscale
1 10,071 1 LSB
0 10,150 Zero scale
Typical device-to-device matching is process lot dependent
and can vary by up to ±30%. Because the resistance element
is processed in thin film technology, the change in R
AB
with
temperature has a very low 45 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.