For decades, mechanical potentiometers have been universally employed in electronic circuitry. They are used in millions of electronic products, for every conceivable application. Yet, until quite recently, electronic potentiometers were not sufficiently cost-competitive to be considered a viable alternative.
However, with improved productivity and yields from Catalyst's sub-micron CMOS manufacturing processes, electronic potentiometers are now cost-competitive with mechanical potentiometers and, for many applications, actually provide a lower total system cost.
Digitally programmable potentiometers (DPPs), offer many benefits for both the design and manufacturing engineer. They have better settability, drift specifications and cycle-life specifications than mechanical potentiometers. They fit into smaller spaces with multiple potentiometers possible in a single package. They provide superior tracking between multiple potentiometers. It is easier to change a setting with electronic potentiometers and accurately change it back.
Using industry standard IC packages, they are machine-insertable and offer far better resilience to contaminants encountered in a manufacturing environment. Single, dual and quad versions are available.
