**AD5162BRMZ100-RL7: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the 100kΩ Digital Potentiometer**

The AD5162BRMZ100-RL7 from Analog Devices is a monolithic **256-position digital potentiometer**, engineered to provide a highly reliable and programmable alternative to traditional mechanical potentiometers and variable resistors. This device offers a fixed end-to-end resistance of **100kΩ**, making it suitable for a wide array of applications, including gain adjustment, offset trimming, and programmable voltage division in industrial, automotive, and communication systems.

Housed in a compact **10-lead MSOP package**, the AD5162 is designed for space-constrained environments. Its operation is controlled via a simple and versatile **3-wire serial peripheral interface (SPI)**. This digital interface allows for seamless communication with microcontrollers and digital signal processors (DSPs), enabling precise adjustments to the wiper position with 8-bit (256 steps) resolution. The nominal resistance between Terminal A and Terminal B is 100 kΩ, and the wiper’s position determines the resistance ratio between Terminal A to Wiper (R_AW) and Wiper to Terminal B (R_WB).

A key feature of this digital pot is its **non-volatile memory**. The AD5162BRMZ100-RL7 variant incorporates a one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell. This allows the wiper’s last-set position to be saved and then automatically restored upon power-up, ensuring the device starts in a known, predefined state without requiring external intervention. This is particularly critical for applications requiring consistent performance after cycling power.

The device operates over a broad **supply voltage range from 2.7 V to 5.5 V**, with a low temperature coefficient of 35 ppm/°C, ensuring stable performance across various environmental conditions. It also boasts a low wiper resistance of typically 50 Ω, which minimizes its impact on the overall resistance value in the circuit. Furthermore, it offers a high level of reliability, with **50,000 read/write cycles to the OTP memory** and excellent resistance tolerance.

Typical applications for the AD5162 include:

* Programmable voltage references

* LCD screen adjustment (VCOM)

* Gain and offset adjustment in op-amp circuits

* Sensor calibration and trimming

* Volume control in audio systems

**ICGOODFIND:** The AD5162BRMZ100-RL7 stands out as a robust and highly integrated solution for digital resistance control. Its combination of **non-volatile memory, a wide operating voltage, and a compact form factor** makes it an excellent choice for designers seeking to enhance system programmability, reliability, and performance while reducing the physical size and failure points associated with mechanical pots.

**Keywords:** Digital Potentiometer, Non-Volatile Memory, SPI Interface, 100kΩ, Programmable Resistor.