The MAX5465EXT+T is a single-channel, 50kΩ digital potentiometer from Maxim Integrated's FleaPoT™ family, configured as a rheostat with 32 wiper tap positions and a linear taper characteristic. It operates from a 2.7V to 5.5V supply and is specified over the -40°C to 85°C industrial temperature range. The volatile memory type means the wiper position resets to mid-scale on power-up, which is important for designs that need a known start state. Typical applications include volume control, LCD bias adjustment, programmable gain amplifiers, and sensor calibration in industrial control, audio equipment, and portable instrumentation.
The 50kΩ end-to-end resistance with ±25% tolerance is a mid-range value that suits most bias and level-setting circuits; the wide tolerance means you should budget a trim step or use the digital taps to calibrate out the initial error. The 600Ω typical wiper resistance adds a small series offset that matters in low-impedance paths. The 32 taps give 31 steps of adjustment, which is coarse for fine-grain trimming but adequate for gain selection or threshold setting.
Housed in a 6-lead SC-70-6 (SOT-363) surface-mount package, the part is small enough for space-constrained boards. The interface uses an Up/Down (U/D, CS) control scheme, which requires only two digital lines from the host. Store the reels dry — no special moisture sensitivity level is stated, but standard MSL precautions apply for the small-pitch package.