[FAQ] TPL1401: What are the benefits to the TPL1401 buffered digipot compared to standard digipots?

Digipots, or digital potentiometers, provide digital control over a variable resistance. Similar to a DAC, a digipot can generate analog outputs with digital inputs. Adding a buffer allows the system to drive low-impedance loads while maintaining the voltage level. The TPL1401 buffered digipot integrates the buffer into the device which provides higher load regulation in voltage-divider applications.

Figure 1. TPL1401 Block Diagram

The TPL1401 can use its VDD voltage as a its reference, or it can use its internal reference that can be turned on from the general configuration register. The resistor string is connected between the reference and the ground, allowing the digipot to be used in voltage divider applications. Standard digipots typically have floating resistor strings and need external references to generate voltage outputs.

Compared to standard digipots, the TPL1401 integrates nonvolatile memory (NVM) to store the wiper position, as well as other configuration settings. The digipot output gets loaded from the NVM at power up.

The internal buffer of the TPL1401 has an exposed feedback pin. This allows the device to be used in current sink applications.

The TPL1401 can power-on and power-down in high-impedance mode.

The TPL1401 can be found in many common applications:

You can find some additional information about the TPL1401 here:

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