General Description
The DS3903 contains three nonvolatile (NV) low tem-
perature coefficient digital potentiometers, which can
be accessed through a 2-wire bus. It operates in both
3V and 5V systems, and it features a write-protect pin
that can lock the positions of the potentiometers. An
address pin allows two DS3903s to be placed on the
same 2-wire bus.
Applications
Power-Supply Calibration
Mobile Phones and PDAs
Fiber Optics Transceiver Modules
Portable Electronics
A Small, Low-Cost Replacement for Mechanical
Potentiometers
Features
♦Three 128-Position Linear Potentiometers
(Two 10kΩ, One 90kΩ)
♦NV Wiper Storage
♦0 to 5.5V on Any Potentiometer Terminal
Independent of VCC
♦Low End-to-End Temperature Coefficient
♦Operates on an Industry-Standard 2-Wire Bus
♦Write-Protect Pin
♦Supply Voltage: 3V or 5V
♦Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C
♦Packaging: 20-Pin TSSOP
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
_____________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1
20
18
17
16
15
14
13
11
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
9
SDA VCC
192
SCL N.C.
N.C.
N.C.
N.C.
H0
W0
H1
H2
W2
TSSOP
A0
WP
W1
N.C.
L0
L1
L2
GND
DS3903
Pin Configuration
0.1µF
4.7kΩ
2-WIRE
MASTER
VCC
VCC
VCC
VREF1
VREF2
5.1kΩ
Iref
VCC
SCL
SDA
POTENTIOMETER 2
10kΩ
ADDDR FAh
POTENTIOMETER 0
10kΩ
ADDDR F9h
POTENTIOMETER 1
90kΩ
ADDDR F8h
WP
A0
GND
4.7kΩ
VARIABLE RESISTANCE
FOR ADJUSTABLE
CURRENT SOURCE
HIGH-OUTPUT-IMPEDANCE
VOLTAGE REFERENCE
BUFFERED
VOLTAGE
REFERENCE
VCC
MAX427
DS3903
Typical Operating Circuit
Ordering Information
Rev 0; 6/02
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
DS3903E-020
-40°C to +85°C
20 TSSOP
DS3903E-020/T&R
-40°C to +85°C
20 TSSOP
(Tape-and-Reel)
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
2______________________________________________________________________
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
RECOMMENDED DC OPERATING CONDITIONS
(TA= -40° to +85°C)
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
Voltage on VCC Pin Relative to Ground.................-0.5V to +6.0V
Voltage on SDA, SCL, A0, and WP
Relative to Ground ...........................................................-0.5V to
VCC + 0.5V
Voltage on L0, L1, L2, W0, W1, W2, H0, H1, and
H2 Relative to Ground ...........................................-0.5V to +6.0V
Current Through W0, W1, and W2......................................±4mA
Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C
Programming Temperature Range .........................0°C to +70°C
Storage Temperature Range .............................-55°C to +125°C
Soldering Temperature ....................See IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020A
Specification
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX
UNITS
Supply Voltage VCC (Note 1) +2.7 +5.5 V
Input Logic 1 VIH (Notes 2, 3)
0.7 x VCC VCC + 0.3
V
Input Logic 0 VIL (Notes 2, 3) -0.3
0.3 x VCC
V
Wiper Current IW-3 +3 mA
Resistor Terminals
L0, L1, L2, W0, W1, W2,
H0, H1, H2
VCC = +2.7V to +5.5V -0.3 +5.5 V
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC = 2.7V to 5.5V, TA= -40°C to +85°C.)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX
Input Leakage IL-1 +1 µA
VCC = 3V (Note 2) 100 200
Standby Supply Current Istby VCC = 5V (Note 2) 150 250 µA
VOL1 3mA sink current 0 0.4 V
Low-Level Output Voltage (SDA)
VOL2 6mA sink current 0 0.6 V
I/O Capacitance CI/O 10 pF
WP Internal Pullup Resistance RWP 35 65 110 kΩ
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
_____________________________________________________________________ 3
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC = 2.7V to 5.5V, TA= -40°C to +85°C.)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
CONDITIONS MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
Fast mode (Note 4) 0
400
SCL Clock Frequency fSCL Standard mode (Note 4) 0
100
kHz
Fast mode (Note 4) 1.3
Bus Free Time Between Stop and
Start Conditions tBUF Standard mode (Note 4) 4.7 µs
Fast mode (Notes 4, 5) 0.6
Hold Time (Repeated) Start
Condition
tHD:STA
Standard mode (Notes 4, 5) 4.0 µs
Fast mode (Note 4) 1.3
Low Period of SCL Clock tLOW Standard mode (Note 4) 4.7 µs
Fast mode (Note 4) 0.6
High Period of SCL Clock tHIGH Standard mode (Note 4) 4.0 µs
Fast mode (Notes 4, 6, 7) 0 0.9
Data Hold Time
tHD:DAT
Standard mode (Notes 4, 6, 7) 0 0.9 µs
Fast mode (Note 4) 100
Data Set-Up Time
tSU:DAT
Standard mode (Note 4) 250 ns
Fast mode 0.6
Start Set-Up Time tSU:STA Standard mode 4.7 µs
Fast mode (Note 8)
20 + 0.1CB300
Rise Time of Both SDA and SCL
Signals tRStandard mode (Note 8)
20 + 0.1CB1000
ns
Fast mode (Note 8)
20 + 0.1CB300
Fall Time of Both SDA and SCL
Signals tFStandard mode (Note 8)
20 + 0.1CB300
ns
Fast mode 0.6
Set-Up Time for Stop Condition
tSU:STO
Standard mode 4.7 µs
Capacitive Load for Each Bus CB(Note 8)
400
pF
EEPROM Write Time tW(Note 9) 10 ms
Startup Time tST 2ms
ANALOG RESISTOR CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC = 2.7V to 5.5V, TA= -40°C to +85°C.)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
End-to-End Resistance Tolerance
+25°C -20 +20 %
10kΩ Pot 10.5
End-to-End Resistance 90kΩ Pot 90 kΩ
Factory-Default Wiper Setting Position 127 (max resistance)
Wiper Resistance RW250 500 Ω
Absolute Linearity (Note 10) -1.0 +1.0 LSB
Relative Linearity (Note 11) -0.25 +0.25 LSB
End-to-End
Temperature Coefficient -300 0 +300
ppm/°C
Ratiometric
Temperature Coefficient ±30
ppm/°C
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
4______________________________________________________________________
Note 1: All voltages are referenced to ground.
Note 2: ISTBY specified for VCC equal to 3.0V and 5.0V while control port logic pins are driven to the appropriate
logic levels. Appropriate logic levels specify that logic inputs are within a 0.5V of ground or VCC for the
corresponding inactive state. WP must be disconnected or connected high.
Note 3: I/O pins of fast mode devices must not obstruct the SDA and SCL lines if VCC is switched off.
Note 4: A fast mode device can be used in a standard mode system, but the requirement tSU:DAT > 250ns must
then be met. This is automatically the case if the device does not stretch the low period of the SCL signal.
If such a device does stretch the low period of the SCL signal, it must output the next data bit to the SDA
line tRMAX + tSU:DAT = 1000ns + 250ns = 1250ns before the SCL line is released.
Note 5: After this period, the first clock pulse is generated.
Note 6: The maximum tHD:DAT has only to be met if the device does not stretch the low period (tLOW) of the
SCL signal.
Note 7: A device must internally provide a hold time of at least 300ns for the SDA signal (referred to the VIN MIN of
the SCL signal) in order to bridge the undefined region of the falling edge of SCL.
Note 8: CB—total capacitance of one bus line in picofarads, timing referenced to 0.9 x VCC and 0.1 x VCC.
Note 9: EEPROM write begins after a stop condition occurs.
Note 10: Absolute linearity is used to measure expected wiper voltage as determined by wiper position in a
voltage-divider configuration.
Note 11: Relative linearity is used to determine the change of wiper voltage between two adjacent wiper positions
in a voltage-divider configuration.
Typical Operating Characteristics
(VCC = 5.0V, 10kΩplots apply to both pot0 and pot2, TA = +25°C unless otherwise noted.)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0
W-L RESISTANCE
vs. WIPER SETTING (90kΩ)
DS3903 toc03
WIPER SETTING
W-L RESISTANCE (kΩ)
1251007550250
W-L RESISTANCE
vs. WIPER SETTING (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc02
WIPER SETTING
W-L RESISTANCE (kΩ)
125100755025
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
STANDBY SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
DS3903 toc01
TEMPERATURE (°C)
SUPPLY CURRENT (µA)
5040-30 -20 -10 10 20030
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0
-40 60 70 80
VCC = 5V
VCC = 3V
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
_____________________________________________________________________ 5
END-TO-END RESISTANCE PERCENT CHANGE
FROM 25°C vs. TEMPERATURE (90kΩ)
DS3903 toc09
TEMPERATURE (°C)
% CHANGE
807050 60-10 0 10 203040-30 -20
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
-0.8
-1.0
-40
END-TO-END RESISTANCE PERCENT CHANGE
FROM 25°C vs. TEMPERATURE (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc08
TEMPERATURE (°C)
% CHANGE
807050 60-10 0 10 203040-30 -20
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
-0.8
-1.0
-40
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER PERCENT CHANGE
FROM 25°C vs. TEMPERATURE (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc07
TEMPERATURE (°C)
% CHANGE (FROM 25°C)
807050 60-10 0 10 203040-30 -20
-0.04
-0.03
-0.02
-0.01
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
-0.05
-0.06
-40
WIPER = 60h
WIPER = 20h
Tc = 1.9ppm/°C
Tc = 0.7ppm/°C
WIPER = 40h
Tc = 5.0ppm/°C
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER PERCENT CHANGE
FROM 25°C vs. TEMPERATURE (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc06
TEMPERATURE (°C)
% CHANGE (FROM 25°C)
807050 60-10 0 10203040-30 -20
-0.04
-0.02
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
-0.06
-40
WIPER = 60h
WIPER = 20h
Tc = 18.0ppm/°C
Tc = 3.7ppm/°CWIPER = 40h
Tc = 1.5ppm/°C
WIPER RESISTANCE
vs. WIPER VOLTAGE (90kΩ)
DS3903 toc05
WIPER VOLTAGE (V)
WIPER RESISTANCE (Ω)
34521
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
0
VCC = 3V
POS 7Fh
WIPER RESISTANCE
vs. WIPER VOLTAGE (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc04
WIPER VOLTAGE (V)
WIPER RESISTANCE (Ω)
34521
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
0
VCC = 3V
POS 7Fh
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(VCC = 5.0V, 10kΩplots apply to both pot0 and pot2, TA = +25°C unless otherwise noted.)
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER ABSOLUTE LINEARITY
vs. WIPER SETTING (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc11
WIPER SETTING
ABSOLUTE LINEARTIY (LSB)
10080604020
0.04
0.08
0.12
0.16
0.20
0
0 120
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER RELATIVE LINEARITY
vs. WIPER SETTING (10kΩ)
DS3903 toc10
WIPER SETTING
RELATIVE LINEARTIY (LSB)
10080604020
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0
0 120
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
6______________________________________________________________________
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(VCC = 5.0V, 10kΩplots apply to both pot0 and pot2, TA = +25°C unless otherwise noted.)
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER ABSOLUTE LINEARITY
vs. WIPER SETTING (90kΩ)
DS3903 toc13
WIPER SETTING
ABSOLUTE LINEARTIY (LSB)
10080604020
0.04
0.08
0.12
0.16
0.20
0
0 120
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER RELATIVE LINEARITY
vs. WIPER SETTING (90kΩ)
DS3903 toc12
WIPER SETTING
RELATIVE LINEARTIY (LSB)
10080604020
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0
0 120
Pin Description
PIN NAME FUNCTION
1SDA 2-Wire Serial Data. Input/output for 2-wire data.
2SCL 2-Wire Serial Clock. Input for 2-wire clock.
3A0Address-Select Input. Determines device 2-wire address.
4WP
Write-Protect Input. Must be grounded to write to the potentiometer registers. An internal pullup locks
the potentiometer positions if this pin is not connected.
5, 16, 17
18, 19 N.C. No Connection
6, 8, 9
L0, L1, L2
Potentiometer Low Terminals. Voltages on these pins should remain between GND and +5.5V while
VCC is above +2.7V. Low terminals can be at potentials above the wiper or high terminals.
7, 12, 14
W1, W2, W0
Potentiometer Wiper Terminal. Voltages on these pins should remain between GND and +5.5V while
VCC is above +2.7V.
10 GND Ground Terminal
11, 13, 15
H2, H1, H0
Potentiometer High Terminals. Voltages on these pins should remain between GND and +5.5V while
VCC is above +2.7V. High terminals can be at potentials below the low terminals.
20 VCC Supply Voltage Terminal
Detailed Description
The DS3903 contains three NV, low-temperature coeffi-
cient digital potentiometers. It is accessible through a
2-wire bus, and it serves as a small, low-cost replace-
ment for designs using mechanical potentiometers. The
low end-to-end resistance temperature coefficient is
especially beneficial for designs using a digital poten-
tiometer as a 2-terminal variable resistor.
It operates in both 3V and 5V systems, and it features a
write-protect pin that can lock the positions of the
potentiometers. The address pin allows two DS3903s to
be placed on the same 2-wire bus.
With its low cost and small board space, the DS3903 is
well tailored to replace larger mechanical potentiome-
ters. This allows the automation of calibration in many
instances because the 2-wire interface can easily be
adjusted by test hardware. Once the system is calibrat-
ed, the write-protect pin can be disconnected and the
potentiometers retain their settings.
Potentiometer Memory
Organization
The potentiometers of the DS3903 are addressed by
communicating with the registers in Table 1.
Device Operation
Clock and Data Transitions
The SDA pin is normally pulled high with an external
resistor or device. Data on the SDA pin can only change
during SCL low time periods. Data changes during SCL
high periods indicates a start or stop condition depend-
ing on the conditions discussed below. See the timing
diagrams for further details (Figures 2 and 3).
Start Condition
A high-to-low transition of SDA with SCL high is a start
condition, which must precede any other command. See
the timing diagrams for further details (Figures 2 and 3).
Stop Condition
A low-to-high transition of SDA with SCL high is a stop
condition. After a read sequence, the stop command
places the DS3903 into a low-power mode. See the tim-
ing diagrams for further details (Figures 2 and 3).
Acknowledge
All address and data bytes are transmitted through a
serial protocol. The DS3903 pulls the SDA line low dur-
ing the ninth clock pulse to acknowledge that it has
received each word.
Standby Mode
The DS3903 features a low-power mode that is auto-
matically enabled after power-on, after a stop com-
mand, and after the completion of all internal
operations.
Memory Reset
After any interruption in protocol, power loss, or system
reset, the following steps reset the DS3903:
1) Clock up to nine cycles.
2) Look for SDA high in each cycle while SCL is high.
3) Create a start condition while SDA is high.
Device Addressing
The DS3903 must receive an 8-bit device address word
following a start condition to enable a specific device
for a read or write operation. The address word is
clocked into the DS3903 MSB to LSB. The address
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
_____________________________________________________________________ 7
POTENTIOMETER 2
10kΩ
ADDDR FAh
POTENTIOMETER 2
ADDDR FAh
2-WIRE
INTERFACE
EEPROM
DATA
RWP
WP
GND
SCL
SDA
A0
VCC
VCC
H2
W2
L2
POTENTIOMETER 0
10kΩ
ADDDR F9h
POTENTIOMETER 0
ADDDR F9h
POTENTIOMETER 1
90kΩ
ADDDR F8h
POTENTIOMETER 1
ADDDR F8h
H0
W0
L0
H1
W1
L1
DS3903
Figure 1. DS3903 Block Diagram
ADDRESS POTENTIOMETER
END-TO-END RESISTANCE
NUMBER OF POSITIONS
F8h Pot 1 90kΩ*128 (00h to 7Fh)
F9h Pot 0 10kΩ*128 (00h to 7Fh)
FAh Pot 2 10kΩ*128 (00h to 7Fh)
Table 1. Potentiometer Registers
*The most significant bit of each potentiometer position value is ignored. Writing a value greater than 7Fh to any of the potentiometer
registers results in a valid 7-bit position, without regard to the value of the most significant bit. Example: position 0x82 is the same as
position 0x02.
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
8______________________________________________________________________
word consists of 101000 binary followed by A0 then the
R/W bit. If the R/W bit is high, a read operation is initiat-
ed. If the R/W bit is low, a write operation is initiated.
For a device to become active, the value of A0 must be
the same as the hard-wired address pins on the
DS3903. Upon a match of written and hard-wired
addresses, the DS3903 outputs a zero for one clock
cycle as an acknowledge. If the address does not
match, the DS3903 returns to a low-power mode.
Write Operations
After receiving a matching device address byte with the
R/W bit set low, the device goes into the write mode of
operation. The master must transmit an 8-bit EEPROM
memory address to the device to define the address
where the data is to be written. After the byte has been
received, the DS3903 transmits a zero for one clock
cycle to acknowledge the memory address has been
received. The master must then transmit an 8-bit data
word to be written into this memory address. The
DS3903 again transmits a zero for one clock cycle to
acknowledge the receipt of the data byte. At this point,
the master must terminate the write operation with a stop
condition. The DS3903 then enters an internally timed
STOP
CONDITION
OR REPEATED
START
CONDITION
REPEATED IF MORE BYTES
ARE TRANSFERRED
ACK
START
CONDITION
ACK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
SIGNAL FROM RECEIVER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
SIGNAL FROM RECEIVER
SLAVE ADDRESS
MSB
SCL
SDA
R/W
DIRECTION
BIT
12 678 9 12 893–7
Figure 2. 2-Wire Data Transfer Protocol
SDA
SCL
tHD:STA
tLOW
tHIGH
tRtF
tBUF
tHD:DAT
tSU:DAT REPEATED
START
tSU:STA
tHD:STA
tSU:STO
tSP
STOP START
Figure 3. 2-Wire AC Characteristics
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
_____________________________________________________________________ 9
write process twto the EEPROM memory. All inputs are
disabled during this write cycle.
The DS3903 is capable of an 8-byte page write. A page
write is initiated the same way as a byte write, but the
master does not send a stop condition after the first
data byte. Instead, after the slave acknowledges the
data byte has been received, the master can send up
to seven more data bytes using the same nine-clock
sequence. After a write to the last byte in the page, the
address returns to the beginning of the same page.
The master must then terminate the write cycle with a
stop condition or the data clocked into the DS3903 is
not latched into EEPROM. Note that in order for eight
bytes to be stored sequentially (and to prevent looping
around), the address byte must be set to the beginning
of the desired page (three LSBs of the address are 0).
For detailed information concerning page operations,
see the Potentiometer Memory Organization section.
Acknowledge Polling
Once the internally timed write has started and the
DS3903 inputs are disabled, acknowledge polling can
be initiated. The process involves transmitting a start
condition followed by the device address. The R/W bit
signifies the type of operation that is desired. The read
or write sequence is only allowed to proceed if the
internal write cycle has completed and the DS3903
responds with a zero.
Read Operations
After receiving a matching address byte with the R/W bit
set high, the device goes into the read mode of opera-
tion. There are three read operations: current address
read, random read, and sequential address read.
Current Address Read
The DS3903 has an internal address register that main-
tains the address used during the last read or write
operation, incremented by one. This data is maintained
as long as VCC is valid. If the most recent address was
the last byte in memory, then the register resets to the
first address. This address stays valid between opera-
tions as long as power is available.
Once the device address is clocked in and acknowl-
edged by the DS3903 with the R/W bit set to high, the
current address data word is clocked out. The master
does not respond with a zero, but does generate a stop
condition afterwards.
Random Address Read
A random read requires a dummy byte write sequence
to load in the data word address. Once the device
address and data address bytes are clocked in by the
master, and acknowledged by the DS3903, the master
must generate another start condition. The master now
initiates a current address read by sending the device
address with the R/W bit set high. The DS3903
acknowledges the device address and serially clocks
out the data byte.
Sequential Address Read
Sequential reads are initiated by either a current
address read or a random address read. After the mas-
ter receives the first data byte, the master responds
with an acknowledge. As long as the DS3903 receives
this acknowledge after a byte is read, the master can
clock out additional data words from the DS3903. After
reaching address FFh, it resets to address 00h.
The sequential read operation is terminated when the
master initiates a stop condition. The master does not
respond with a zero.
For a more detailed description of 2-wire theory of
operation, see the following section.
2-Wire Serial Port Operation
The 2-wire serial port interface supports a bidirectional
data transmission protocol with device addressing. A
device that sends data on the bus is defined as a trans-
mitter, and a device receiving data as a receiver. The
device that controls the message is called a “master.”
The devices that are controlled by the master are
“slaves.” The bus must be controlled by a master
device that generates the serial clock (SCL), controls
the bus access, and generates the start and stop con-
ditions. The DS3903 operates as a slave on the 2-wire
bus. Connections to the bus are made through the
open-drain I/O lines, SDA and SCL. The following I/O
terminals control the 2-wire serial port: SDA, SCL, and
A0. Timing diagrams for the 2-wire serial port can be
found in Figures 2 and 3. Timing information for the 2-
wire serial port is provided in the AC Electrical
Characteristics table for 2-wire serial communications.
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
10 _____________________________________________________________________
The following bus protocol has been defined:
Data transfer can be initiated only when the bus is not
busy.
During data transfer, the data line must remain stable
whenever the clock line is high. Changes in the data
line while the clock line is high are interpreted as con-
trol signals.
Accordingly, the following bus conditions have been
defined:
Bus Not Busy: Both data and clock lines remain high.
Start Data Transfer: A change in the state of the data
line from high to low while the clock is high defines a
start condition.
Stop Data Transfer: A change in the state of the data
line from low to high while the clock line is high defines
the stop condition.
Data Valid: The state of the data line represents valid
data when, after a start condition, the data line is stable
for the duration of the high period of the clock signal. The
data on the line can be changed during the low period of
the clock signal. There is one clock pulse per bit of data.
Figures 2 and 3 detail how data transfer is accomplished
on the 2-wire bus. Depending upon the state of the R/W
bit, two types of data transfer are possible.
Each data transfer is initiated with a start condition and
terminated with a stop condition. The number of data
bytes transferred between start and stop conditions is
not limited and is determined by the master device. The
information is transferred byte-wise and each receiver
acknowledges with a ninth bit.
Within the bus specifications, a regular mode (100kHz
clock rate) and a fast mode (400kHz clock rate) are
defined. The DS3903 works in both modes.
Acknowledge: Each receiving device, when
addressed, is obliged to generate an acknowledge
after the byte has been received. The master device
must generate an extra clock pulse that is associated
with this acknowledge bit.
A device that acknowledges must pull down the SDA
line during the acknowledge clock pulse in such a way
that the SDA line is a stable low during the high period
of the acknowledge-related clock pulse. Of course,
setup and hold times must be taken into account. A
master must signal an end of data to the slave by not
generating an acknowledge bit on the last byte that has
been clocked out of the slave. In this case, the slave
must leave the data line high to enable the master to
generate the stop condition.
Data transfer from a master transmitter to a slave
receiver. The first byte transmitted by the master is the
command/control byte. Next follows a number of data
bytes. The slave returns an acknowledge bit after each
received byte.
Data transfer from a slave transmitter to a master
receiver. The master transmits the first byte (the com-
mand/control byte) to the slave. The slave then returns
an acknowledge bit. Next follows a number of data
bytes transmitted by the slave to the master. The mas-
ter returns an acknowledge bit after all received bytes
other than the last byte. At the end of the last received
byte, a not acknowledge can be returned.
The master device generates all serial clock pulses and
the start and stop conditions. A transfer is ended with a
stop condition or with a repeated start condition. Since
a repeated start condition is also the beginning of the
next serial transfer, the bus is not released.
The DS3903 can operate in the following three modes:
1) Slave Receiver Mode: Serial data and clock are
received through SDA and SCL, respectively. After
each byte is received, an acknowledge bit is trans-
mitted. Start and stop conditions are recognized as
the beginning and end of a serial transfer. Address
recognition is performed by hardware after the
slave (device) address and direction bit has been
received.
2) Slave Transmitter Mode: The first byte is received
and handled as in the slave receiver mode.
However, in this mode the direction bit indicates
that the transfer direction is reversed. Serial data is
transmitted on SDA by the DS3903 while the serial
clock is input on SCL. Start and stop conditions are
recognized as the beginning and end of a serial
transfer.
3) Slave Address: Command/control byte is the first
byte received following the start condition from the
master device. The command/control byte consists
of a 6-bit control code. For the DS3903, this is set
as 101000 binary for read/write operations. The
next bit of the command/control byte is the device
select bit or slave address (A0). It is used by the
master device to select which of two devices is to
be accessed. When reading or writing the DS3903,
the device-select bits must match the device-select
pin (A0). The last bit of the command/control byte
(R/W) defines the operation to be performed. When
set to a ‘1’, a read operation is selected, and when
set to a ‘0’, a write operation is selected.
Following the start condition, the DS3903 monitors the
SDA bus checking the device type identifier being
transmitted. Upon receiving the 101000 control code,
DS3903
Triple 128-Position Nonvolatile
Digital Potentiometer
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600 ____________________ 11
©2002 Maxim Integrated Products Printed USA is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
the appropriate device address bit, and the read/write
bit, the slave device outputs an acknowledge signal on
the SDA line.
Applications Information
Power-Supply Decoupling
To achieve the best results when using the DS3903,
decouple the power supply with a 0.01µF or 0.1µF
capacitor. Use a high-quality ceramic surface-mount
capacitor if possible. Surface-mount components mini-
mize lead inductance, which improves performance,
and ceramic capacitors tend to have adequate high-
frequency response for decoupling applications.
Write Protection
The write-protect pin has an internal pullup resistor. To
be able to adjust the potentiometers’ position, this pin
must be grounded. This pin can be left floating or con-
nected to VCC to write protect the potentiometer posi-
tions.
Wiper Resistance and Wiper Current Limit
Two substantial differences between digital poten-
tiometers and mechanical potentiometers are the wiper
resistance and the wiper current limit. The wiper resis-
tance (RW) is a result of the interconnecting materials
on the IC between the internal resistive elements and
the wiper pin. This can be modelled by using an ideal
potentiometer, with a resistance of RWconnected
between the ideal wiper and wiper terminal of the digi-
tal potentiometer. One final note about the wiper resis-
tance is that it has a high temperature coefficient
(approximately +3000PPM), which can be noticeable in
certain circuit configurations.
The wiper current limit (IW) is also due to the intercon-
necting materials between the internal resistive ele-
ments and the wiper terminal. While it may be possible
to exceed this value for a short period without prob-
lems, exceeding the wiper current limit is a long-term
reliability problem.
Both characteristics can be minimized in designs by
connecting the wiper terminal to high-impedance
loads. This reduces both the current through the wiper
and the voltage drop across the wiper resistance.
Using a Potentiometer as a
Variable Resistor
There are two ways to make a digital potentiometer into
a variable resistor. The first is to short the wiper terminal
to the high- or low-side terminal. This places wiper
resistance in parallel with the resistance from the wiper
to the high or low side of the potentiometer. The advan-
tage of this method is that it reduces the current
through the wiper, which is advantageous if the current
is approaching the wiper current limit. The disadvan-
tage is that the wiper resistance makes the resistance
versus position nonlinear, particularly for low-resistance
values.
The second way is to attach the wiper terminal, and
either the low- or high-side terminal. The unattached
terminal is connected to the wiper by the resistance
internal to the part, and stays at the same voltage as
the wiper. This method provides a linear resistance ver-
sus position function, but it limits the current through
the resistance to IWsince there is no current load shar-
ing between the wiper resistance and the paralleled
resistive elements.
Both configurations are heavily influenced by the wiper
resistance, particularly over temperature, where its tem-
perature coefficient noticeably affects the resistor’s value.
Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 10,793
SUBSTRATE CONNECTED TO GROUND
Package Information
For the latest package outline information, go to www.maxim-ic.
com/packages.