MC68340AB16E-FR - 32-Bit CPU32 MPU 16MHz QFP-144 | NXP
MPN: MC68340AB16E-FR ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $21.75 | $2,175.00 |
| 500 | $18.4 | $9,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $15.95 | $15,950.00 |
MC68340AB16E-FR Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is an integrated circuit that contains the central processing unit of a computer system, including the instruction decoder, arithmetic logic unit, registers, and control logic. The MC68340 belongs to the broader category of embedded processors -> microprocessors (MPU) -> microcontrollers & processors -> semiconductors. It is designed for embedded systems requiring deterministic real-time performance, on-chip peripheral integration, and legacy 68000 instruction-set compatibility, including industrial control, communication gateways, and point-of-sale terminals.
Key features of the MC68340AB16E-FR include a CPU32 core delivering 32-bit CISC instruction set performance from a 16-bit external memory interface, two independent DMA channels, two 16-bit timers, dual serial communication interfaces (SCI), and a 16-bit parallel interface. The part also provides programmable chip-select outputs for glue-less memory and peripheral interfacing, and it operates from a single 5 V supply typical of the 68K family. The QFP-144 (28x28 mm) package supports surface-mount assembly and provides access to all CPU32 address, data, and peripheral signals.
Architecturally, the CPU32 core is a 32-bit version of the Motorola 68000 with additional instructions optimized for compiled C code, while the on-chip peripheral block reduces system chip count by integrating DMA, timers, and serial controllers that would otherwise require separate logic. The combination of peripherals offered on the MC68340 makes it a candidate for designers who need more integration than a bare M68000 but do not require a full ColdFire or ARM Cortex-M migration.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, telecommunications equipment, point-of-sale terminals, and legacy embedded systems migrating from discrete 68000 designs to a more integrated solution. The 16 MHz CPU32 core delivers approximately 4 MIPS of sustained throughput, suitable for protocol handling and machine control.
When designing with this device, note that the 68K family is mature and NXP has explicitly stated there is no pin-to-pin drop-in replacement for the MC68340; new designs should evaluate ColdFire or ARM Cortex-M alternatives. Existing MC68340 designs must validate supply availability and lifecycle status with NXP franchised distributors before committing to new production runs.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, parametric specifications, package data, and lifecycle commentary from NXP, DigiKey, Mouser, Octopart, and LCSC that are not consolidated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68340AB16E-FR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with MC68340AB16E-FR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Supply Voltage, Package, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC68340AB16E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68340AB16EB1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68340AF16B
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68340CAB16E
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68340PV16E
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68340AB25E
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68340AB16E-FR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors |
| Series | MC683xx |
| Core Processor | CPU32 (32-bit M68000-compatible) |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Bus Width | 32-bit internal / 16-bit external |
| Speed / Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| DMA Channels | 2 |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | 2 x SCI (Serial Communication Interface) |
| Chip Select Outputs | Programmable (glue-less memory/peripheral interface) |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 5 V (typical for M683xx family) |
| Package | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) surface mount |
| Packaging Suffix | -FR = Tape and Reel |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-RoHS (legacy M683xx product) |
| Inventory Status (DigiKey) | Listed as discontinued / last-time-buy per Octopart aggregator |
MC68340AB16E-FR qfp-144 (28x28 mm) surface mount Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC68340AB16E-FR (qfp-144 (28x28 mm) surface mount package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for MC68340AB16E-FR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC68340AB16E-FR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Telecommunications Gateway Equipment, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Legacy Embedded Migration Targets, Medical Instrumentation (Legacy/Long-Life), Printers and Imaging Controllers.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The MC68340AB16E-FR's CPU32 core at 16 MHz (~4 MIPS), dual DMA channels, two 16-bit timers, and programmable chip selects make it a strong fit for industrial PLC and motion-controller boards that previously relied on discrete 68000 designs. Its glue-less chip-select logic interfaces directly to SRAM and peripheral ICs without external decoders, reducing BOM cost. Designers leverage the 32-bit CISC instruction set for deterministic ladder-logic or PID loop execution, while the on-chip DMA offloads high-speed I/O transfers from the CPU, keeping interrupt latency bounded. The QFP-144 (28x28 mm) package supports robust SMT assembly for vibration-prone factory environments, and the long-lifecycle M683xx family is widely specified in equipment with 15-20 year field life.
Recommended
Telecommunications Gateway Equipment
The MC68340AB16E-FR integrates dual SCI serial ports, dual DMA channels, and a CPU32 core well-suited to legacy telecom gateway and protocol-converter designs. The two SCIs handle multi-drop RS-232/RS-485 trunks while the DMA controller moves packet payloads directly between serial FIFOs and memory, offloading the CPU32 and improving throughput. According to NXP product documentation, the programmable chip-select outputs simplify glue-less interfacing to telecom ASICs and memory banks. The part has historically been specified in central-office equipment and remote-terminal designs where 68K instruction-set compatibility was a hard requirement and where migration to ColdFire or ARM would have required extensive firmware rework.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals benefit from the MC68340AB16E-FR's on-chip integration: CPU32 core, dual DMA, two timers, dual SCI, and parallel I/O reduce the chip count of a POS mainboard. The 32-bit CISC instruction set accelerates transaction-processing code, while the dual DMA channels service the magnetic-stripe reader and thermal-print-head data paths without CPU32 intervention. According to DigiKey catalog data, the QFP-144 (28x28 mm) surface-mount package suits the compact mechanical envelope of countertop POS terminals. The long field-life of the M683xx family and its proven reliability in retail environments make it a typical choice for POS designs already deployed at scale, where revalidation cost is the dominant factor.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded Migration Targets
Designers maintaining installed bases of 68000-based equipment use the MC68340AB16E-FR as a migration target because the CPU32 core is instruction-set compatible with the M68000 while integrating peripherals previously implemented in discrete logic. The 32-bit internal data path and 16-bit external memory bus deliver 32-bit CISC performance from a 16-bit memory subsystem, lowering memory cost relative to full 32-bit external buses. According to the verified web data, NXP has confirmed there is no direct pin-to-pin replacement for the MC68340 product family, so for legacy designs the AB16E-FR remains the canonical target and migration to ColdFire or ARM Cortex-M requires a re-spin of both hardware and firmware.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation (Legacy/Long-Life)
Long-life medical instrumentation such as bedside monitors, infusion pumps, and laboratory analyzers benefit from the MC68340AB16E-FR's stable M683xx silicon and integrated peripheral block. The CPU32 core, dual DMA, timers, and programmable chip selects allow designers to meet deterministic timing requirements for safety-critical signal acquisition without external glue logic. The QFP-144 package supports standard SMT manufacturing, while the legacy silicon's documented field reliability (the M68340 has been in production since the early 1990s) supports the long product-lifecycle validation cycles required by FDA-regulated devices. Note that new medical designs should evaluate ColdFire or ARM Cortex-M parts with explicit IEC 60730 / IEC 61508 support.
Recommended
Printers and Imaging Controllers
Printers, plotters, and imaging controllers benefit from the MC68340AB16E-FR's dual DMA channels and CPU32 throughput, which together move page-description-language (PDL) bitmaps from host interface to print engine with minimal CPU32 overhead. The dual SCI ports handle operator-panel and consumables-status communication, while the programmable chip selects interface directly to DRAM, flash, and the print-engine ASIC. According to NXP product documentation, the MC68340's combination of peripherals was specifically chosen for embedded control applications that benefit from CPU32 performance and on-chip DMA - a use-case profile that matches mid-volume office printers and industrial label printers that have been shipping for years.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68340AB16E-FR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68340AB16E | MC68340AB16EB1 | MC68340AF16B | MC68340CAB16E | MC68340PV16E | MC68340AB25E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors (Rochester long-term supply) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same | QFP-144 (28x28 mm) - same |
| Core Processor | CPU32 (32-bit M68000-compatible) | CPU32 | CPU32 | CPU32 | CPU32 | CPU32 | CPU32 |
| Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 25 MHz |
| DMA Channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit |
| Serial Interfaces (SCI) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (AB suffix) | Extended (AB) | Extended (AB) | Extended (AF) | Commercial (CAB) | Extended (PV) | Extended (AB) |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in identical die with tape-and-reel packaging (vs MC68340AB16E)
- Long-term supply continuity via Rochester Electronics (vs MC68340AB16EB1)
- Higher clock headroom option at same footprint (vs MC68340AB25E)
Design Notes
NXP has officially confirmed there is no direct pin-to-pin drop-in replacement for the MC68340 family. Designers should plan a migration path to ColdFire (e.g., MCF5225x) or ARM Cortex-M devices for new designs, and qualify long-term supply (e.g., MC68340AB16EB1 via Rochester Electronics) for existing production. Attempting to substitute a ColdFire or ARM MCU without a board re-spin will fail because the peripheral mix, bus protocol, and interrupt vectors differ.
The QFP-144 (28x28 mm) package requires careful PCB layout: route all 16-bit data and address signals first with matched trace lengths, place bypass capacitors (100 nF + 10 uF) within 5 mm of each VCC/VSS pin, and add a solid ground plane beneath the package to reduce EMI on the CPU32 bus. The exposed pad of the QFP-144 should be soldered to a copper pour with thermal vias to handle the 5 V supply current peaks during DMA bursts.
The MC68340AB16E-FR's 16 MHz CPU32 bus generates significant edge rates at the address and data pins. Series-terminate clock and strobe traces with 33 ohm resistors near the driver to dampen ringing, and keep bus trace lengths under 50 mm where possible to stay within one clock period at 16 MHz. Use a four-layer PCB with dedicated VCC and GND planes to maintain signal integrity across the full QFP-144 pin field.
Compliance Information
Per DigiChip parts listing the MC68340AB16E is flagged as non-RoHS, consistent with the legacy M683xx family manufactured before the RoHS transition. Lead-free status marked unknown because the verified data does not explicitly confirm lead-free reflow compatibility; confirm with the franchised distributor before RoHS-compliant assembly.
