Maxim Integrated Dual NV Audio Taper Digital Potentiometer DS1881

The DS1881 is a dual, nonvolatile (NV) digital potentiometer designed to operate in audio systems that require 5V signal levels. The potentiometer settings can be stored in EEPROM so that they are retained when the power is cycled. The DS1881 has separate supplies for the potentiometers (VCC) and the communication circuitry (VDD). For clickless/popless operation, a zero-crossing detector allows the wiper position to change when there is no voltage across the potentiometer. The device is also designed to minimize crosstalk, and the two digital potentiometers provide 0.5dB channel-to-channel matching to prevent volume differences between channels. Total harmonic distortion (THD) is also minimal as long as the wiper drives a high-impedance load. Two attenuation configuration options provide optimum flexibility for the specific application. Configuration Option 1 provides 63 logarithmic tapered steps (0dB to -62dB, 1dB/step) plus a mute setting. Configuration Option 2 has 32 logarithmic steps plus mute and provides software compatibility with the DS1808. When Configuration Option 2 is used in combination with the 16-pin SO package, the DS1881 is both software and pin compatible with the DS1808 in 5V applications.