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Fermion: MCP42100 Dual Digital Potentiometer - 100K

SKU: DFR0520

The MCP42100 Dual Digital Potentiometer Module (equipped with two 100K potentiometers, 256 taps each) is a mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC). This module can dynamically adjust its internal resistance via a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino).

Front of digital potentiometer breakout board with labeled pins and Arduino compatibility.-DFRobot product sku:DFR0520 image.

Downloadable Resources

  • Docs
  • Tech Specs
    • 1. Example Code for Arduino-Generate Triangular Waves

    This tutorial generates two triangular waves out of phase by the dual digital pot to demonstrate its basic usage. The two internal digital pot POT0 and POT1 server as voltage divider with terminal A connected to VCC and terminal B connected to GND. We use Arduino UNO R3 to control the terminal W0 of POT0 to change it from min to max (Dn: 0 -> 255) every 1 ms and then in reverse, from max to min (Dn: 255 -> 0). On the contrary, the terminal W1 of POT1 will be changed from max to min (Dn: 255 -> 0) every 1 ms and then in reverse, from min to max (Dn: 0 -> 255). Two channels CH1 and CH2 of the oscilloscope will be used to observe the voltage of W0 and W1 respectively to check whether all the possible taps are available.
    2. Example Code for Arduino-Template Code for MCP42100

    A template code is provided here for user to learn how to control the MCP42100 dual digital pot.
    Reference

    This example uses the module’s two digital potentiometers to generate two out-of-phase triangular waves, demonstrating its basic operation and control. Configure POT0 and POT1 as voltage dividers (Terminal A to 5V, Terminal B to GND). Adjust POT0’s wiper W0 from min (0) to max (255) every 1 ms, then reverse; conversely, adjust POT1’s wiper W1 from max (255) to min (0) every 1 ms, then reverse. Use an oscilloscope’s CH1/CH2 to observe W0/W1 ground voltage waveforms respectively, verifying if all resistance values are accessible.

    Specification

    Parameter Value
    Supply Voltage 2.7～5.5V DC
    Static Operation Current < 1 μA
    Potentiometer Value 100 KΩ
    Resolution 8 bits, 256 taps for each potentiometer
    Number of Potentiometers 2
    Interface SPI
    Operation Temperature -40℃～85℃
    Dimension 20.0mm*18.0mm

    Pinout

    DFR0520

    Pin Description
    VCC Power supply (DC 2.7V - 5.5V)
    GND Ground
    SI Serial data input
    CS Chip select
    SCK Serial clock input
    SO Serial data output
    PAx Potentiometer terminal A (x=0,1)
    PBx Potentiometer terminal B (x=0,1)
    PWx Potentiometer wiper terminal (x=0,1)

    NOTE: 1. Resistor terminals A, B and W have no restrictions on polarity with respect to each other.
    2. Current through terminals A, B and W should not excceed ±1mA.
    3. Voltages on terminals A, B and W should be within 0 - VCC.

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