Microchip AnnouncesMCP4011-MCP4014Digital Potentiometers

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Microchip Technology Announces Low-power, 6-bit,

Volatile Digital Potentiometers

Digital potentiometers offer low-voltage operation and small package at affordable price

CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 27, 2006 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced a new family of low-power, low-voltage, 6-bit digital potentiometers. The MCP4011 –MCP4014digital potentiometers provide engineers with a digitally controlled solution that is cost-andsize-competitive with current mechanical potentiometer solutions.

Available in small 5- and 6-pin SOT-23 and 2mmx3mm DFN packages, the MCP4011 – MCP4014 digital potentiometers help reduce board space and device height for handheld equipment and many portable consumer applications. The devices’ ultra-low power consumption of 0.3 microamps (typical), along with their low, 1.8V operationincreases battery life. Further, the low price point of the new devices enables use in applications that were previously cost-prohibitive.

“With the MCP4011, MCP4012, MCP4013, and MCP4014 digital potentiometers, Microchip continues to provide industry-leading, low-power analog products,” said John Austin, senior product marketing engineer for Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “These devices deliver the small package size and low powerconsumption that designers need for their applications, at a great value.”

Additional features of the MCP4011 – MCP4014 digital potentiometers include Integral Non-Linearity (INL) of 1/2 LSB (maximum), Differential Non-Linearity (DNL) of 1/2 LSB (maximum), end-to-end temperature coefficient of 100 ppm(typical), and ratiometric temperature coefficient of 10 ppm(typical). The new devices operate in the extended industrial temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius.

The MCP4011 – MCP4014 digital potentiometers provide a rich combination of features ideally suited for applications such as sensor calibration and trimming, set-point control, test and measurement, industrial process control, consumer electronics and data acquisition.

Development Support

To help engineers get started with the MCP4011-MCP4014 digital potentiometers, Microchip offers the low cost MCP402XEVNon-volatile Digital Potentiometer Evaluation Board (Part # MCP402XEV) for $15, available today at In addition, Microchip offers the FilterLab®2.0 Active Filter Design Tool that simplifies active-filter design. Available today as a free download from Microchip’s website ( the FilterLab software gives users full schematic diagrams of the filter circuit with component values, andit displays the frequency response.

Pricing and Availability

The MCP4011, MCP4012, MCP4013, and MCP4014 are available for sampling today at Production orders are received today at The MCP4011 is offeredin 8-pin, 2mmx3mm DFN, MSOP and SOIC packages. The MCP4012 and MCP4013 are each available in a 6-pinSOT-23 package, and the MCP4014 is available in a 5-pin SOT-23 package. Pricing for all devices and package options is $0.36each in 10,000-unit quantities. For additional information, contact any Microchip salesrepresentative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at

Microchip Customer Support

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at

Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. FilterLab is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

**Photo and block diagram available through editorial contact**

Keywords:

Semiconductor Applications: Industrial/Instrumentation; Factory Automation; Sensor Signal Conditioning

Semiconductor Applications: Industrial/Instrumentation; Motor and Motion Control

Semiconductor Applications: Consumer; Audio; Portable Audio/MP3

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