Winbond Electronics Corporation America (WECA), a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions, today introduced the WMS72xx series, a family of 256-tap, non-volatile, digitally programmable potentiometer ICs. The chips, which are the only ones on the market featuring a selectable output buffer, are aimed at communications, industrial and consumer applications and can be programmed by a microcontroller through the industry-standard SPI interface. The ICs are ideal replacements for applications using mechanical potentiometers that require a high degree of performance, stability, precision adjustments or improved temperature coefficients. The WMS72xx is initially offered in a dual channel option with single and quad channel options planned for introduction later this year. The WMS72xx is currently in production and is competitively priced at approximately $1.60 in volume quantities. In addition, an evaluation kit, the ES-WMS720X, which comes with an evaluation board, software for the GUI interface and a user manual, is currently available and priced at approximately $50.00.
"The WMS72 series has a proprietary design that features enhanced linearity for the most demanding industrial applications, " said CS Lin, Director of Product Marketing, WECA. "The competitively priced chip also offers low power consumption, system level customization and comes in a variety of compact packaging options to meet small foot print and multiple channel requirements."
The WMS72xx chip is available in 10KΩ, 50KΩ and 100KΩ resistance values. The selectable output buffer is built-in for each channel to deliver higher driving current as well as saving the cost of an external buffer or amplifier. The WMS72xx can be used as a three-terminal potentiometer or as a two terminal variable resistor in a wide variety of industrial and wireless applications that require the must exacting performance standards. The high performance temperature co-efficient provides for precision adjustments.
"The WMS72 series is the second family of chips that WECA has successfully introduced in less than two months," said Tom Sullivan, executive vice president, WECA. "WECA's mission is to grow Winbond's presence in The Americas and Europe by providing timely and advanced technology IC solutions to a growing base of customers. WECA's successful engineering and design focus on the growing mixed signal market reinforces that WECA is on track and successfully executing our product strategy."
For more information:
Julie DiBene
Director, Corporate Communications
Winbond Electronics Corporation America
Phone: 1-408-544-2625
Fax: 1-408-544-1787
E-Mail: jdibene@Winbond.com
Note: Winbond is a registered trademark of Winbond Electronics Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.