MC68908GZ8MFAE - 8-Bit HC08 MCU, 8KB Flash, 48-LQFP | NXP
MPN: MC68908GZ8MFAE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.85 | $9.85 |
| 10 | $8.92 | $89.20 |
| 100 | $7.65 | $765.00 |
| 500 | $6.48 | $3,240.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.4 | $5,400.00 |
MC68908GZ8MFAE Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data memory, and a set of on-chip peripherals (timers, ADC, communication interfaces, GPIO) into one device. In the broader taxonomy, the MC68908GZ8MFAE sits as: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> HC08 family -> HC08GZ sub-family -> CISC core -> embedded system building block. This hierarchy matters for engineers selecting replacements or migrating code between HC08 variants, because the instruction set, peripheral set, and memory map vary by sub-family even though the core is identical.
Key features include 8 KB Flash with in-application programmability, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, up to 37 GPIO lines depending on package, multiple timers (including a 4-channel 16-bit timer with PWM), an SCI (serial communications interface) and an SPI peripheral, plus a system integration module supporting up to 33 interrupt sources. The 48-LQFP-7x7 footprint is the industry-standard surface-mount package for the HC08GZ family and provides a thermal resistance suitable for industrial operating environments.
Architecturally, the CPU08 core is a CISC design with 16-bit stack operations, an X-index register, a H:C stack pointer, and direct page addressing that simplifies C-to-HC08 code generation. The device integrates a low-voltage detect (LVD) module, a computer operating properly (COP) watchdog, and a clock generator module supporting either a 1 MHz to 8 MHz external crystal or an internal reference oscillator - useful in cost-sensitive industrial control boards.
Typical applications include industrial motor control sub-systems, white-goods and appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, HVAC blower controls), point-of-sale terminals, low-end automotive body controllers, and general-purpose 8-bit replacement designs where legacy HC08 code must be preserved. Its wide 3 V to 5.5 V supply tolerance makes it a practical fit for both battery-backed and 5 V industrial rails.
When designing with this MCU, verify the package code suffix (MFAE = 48-LQFP) matches the PCB footprint before laying out - the HC08GZ family is also offered in 32-LQFP, 44-LQFP, and 64-LQFP variants with different pinouts. Decouple VDD/VSS with 100 nF plus 4.7 uF bulk caps placed within 5 mm of the pins, and route the oscillator traces with guard rings because the HC08's PLL and bus clock are sensitive to switching-noise injection.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, cross-reference alternatives from the same HC08GZ sub-family, and design notes not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet, providing a consolidated engineering reference.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68908GZ8MFAE — 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 MC68908GZ8MFAE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, ADC, Core, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908GZ16MFAE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.9001 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908GZ32CFAE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GZ60CFUE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$9.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908GZ60MFAE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GZ48MFAE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MC68908GZ8MFAE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | HC08GZ |
| Core | M68HC08 (CPU08) - 8-bit CISC |
| Program Memory | 8 KB Flash |
| Maximum Bus Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| GPIO Count | Up to 37 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8-channel |
| Timers | 16-bit, 4-channel with PWM |
| Serial Interfaces | SCI (UART) and SPI |
| Interrupts | Up to 33 sources |
| Watchdog | COP watchdog timer |
| Low Voltage Detect | Yes (on-chip) |
MC68908GZ8MFAE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTA0/TCLK — Port A bit 0 / Timer clock input |
| Pin 2 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | PTB0/AD0 — Port B bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 10 | PTB1/AD1 — Port B bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 11 | PTB2/AD2 — Port B bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 12 | PTB3/AD3 — Port B bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 13 | PTB4/AD4 — Port B bit 4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 14 | PTB5/AD5 — Port B bit 5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 15 | PTB6/AD6 — Port B bit 6 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 16 | PTB7/AD7 — Port B bit 7 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 17 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | PTC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | PTD0/MOSI — Port D bit 0 / SPI MOSI |
| Pin 26 | PTD1/MISO — Port D bit 1 / SPI MISO |
| Pin 27 | PTD2/SPSCK — Port D bit 2 / SPI clock |
| Pin 28 | PTD3/SS — Port D bit 3 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 29 | PTD4/TxD — Port D bit 4 / SCI transmit |
| Pin 30 | PTD5/RxD — Port D bit 5 / SCI receive |
| Pin 31 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 32 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 33 | PTE0/TCH0 — Port E bit 0 / Timer channel 0 |
| Pin 34 | PTE1/TCH1 — Port E bit 1 / Timer channel 1 |
| Pin 35 | PTE2/TCH2 — Port E bit 2 / Timer channel 2 |
| Pin 36 | PTE3/TCH3 — Port E bit 3 / Timer channel 3 |
| Pin 37 | PTE4 — Port E bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | PTE5 — Port E bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | PTE6 — Port E bit 6 |
| Pin 40 | PTE7 — Port E bit 7 |
| Pin 41 | IRQ — External interrupt request |
| Pin 42 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 43 | TEST — Test mode (must be tied to VDD for normal operation) |
| Pin 44 | OSC1 — Oscillator input |
| Pin 45 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 46 | PTG0 — Port G bit 0 |
| Pin 47 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 48 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
MC68908GZ8MFAE is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, White Goods and Appliance Controllers, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Low-End Automotive Body Controllers, HVAC and Thermostat Control, General-Purpose 8-bit Legacy Replacement.
Industrial Motor Control
The MC68908GZ8MFAE fits industrial motor control sub-systems because its 16-bit timer with 4-channel PWM directly drives half-bridge or full-bridge FET gates for brushed DC or BLDC motor commutation. The on-chip 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF and current-sense signals at sufficient resolution for closed-loop speed control, while the SCI peripheral handles RS-485 or RS-232 communication with a host PLC. The 3.0-5.5 V supply range tolerates 24 V industrial rail transients when paired with a downstream regulator, and the CPU08 core executes motor-state-machine code with deterministic cycle counts at 8 MHz. Compared to a Cortex-M0 MCU, the HC08GZ trades MIPS for predictable interrupt latency that simplifies IEC 60730 class B firmware certification.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Controllers
Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and HVAC blower controllers are classic 8-bit MCU applications and an ideal fit for the MC68908GZ8MFAE. The 37 GPIO lines drive keypads, LED indicators, relay coils, and triac gates directly, while the timer subsystems generate PWM for proportional valve and blower-motor control. Flash in-application programmability supports end-of-line calibration updates without removing the appliance from the chassis. The wide operating voltage tolerates rectified mains-derived rails common in white-goods power supplies. As an NXP EOL part, XAIPART and authorized distributors maintain last-time-buy stock so existing appliance platforms can be supported through their remaining production runs.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
Low-end point-of-sale terminals and electronic cash registers benefit from the MC68908GZ8MFAE's combination of 8 KB Flash, SCI for magnetic-stripe reader interfacing, SPI for secure PIN-pad communication, and up to 37 GPIO for keypad matrix scanning and thermal-printer stepper control. The CPU08 CISC core efficiently executes barcode-decode and DES encryption routines in tight memory, and the COP watchdog prevents firmware lockup during unattended operation. Operating from 3.0-5.5 V, the MCU pairs with battery-backed RTCs and 5 V printer drivers. Its discontinued lifecycle status means POS OEMs should plan migration to the active S08 family for new terminal generations.
Recommended
Low-End Automotive Body Controllers
The MC68908GZ8MFAE suits low-end automotive body controllers - lighting modules, seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Its 16-bit timer with PWM drives LED current sinks and small DC motor bridges, and the 10-bit ADC reads potentiometer positions for blend-door and mirror feedback. The HC08 family is well-established in automotive designs, simplifying ASIL-rated firmware reuse from prior platforms. However, the -MFAE variant is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so designers targeting AEC-Q100 must select the automotive-grade S08 successor. The 48-LQFP-7x7 footprint is widely supported by automotive PCB layout libraries.
Recommended
HVAC and Thermostat Control
Residential and commercial HVAC thermostats, zone controllers, and blower-speed regulators are well-served by the MC68908GZ8MFAE. The 8-channel ADC reads multiple thermistor inputs for multi-zone temperature sensing, while the 16-bit timer PWM drives TRIAC gating for proportional furnace control. The 5 V tolerance accommodates legacy HVAC transformer rails, and the wide GPIO count supports LCD segment drivers and keypad scanning. The CPU08's efficient C-to-assembly ratio lets thermostat OEMs ship small-footprint firmware with rich UI features in the 8 KB Flash budget.
Recommended
General-Purpose 8-bit Legacy Replacement
When maintaining, repairing, or replicating legacy HC08-based industrial equipment, the MC68908GZ8MFAE serves as a faithful reproduction target with the original 8 KB Flash budget. Many HC08 code bases from the late 1990s and early 2000s target this exact memory configuration, and migrating to a 16 KB variant would require vector-table updates and linker script changes. The 48-LQFP-7x7 package, identical CPU08 instruction set, and unchanged peripheral register map make this part a 1:1 substitute on legacy PCBs. XAIPART and Rochester Electronics maintain franchised stock so industrial repair channels can continue servicing installed equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68908GZ8MFAE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908GZ16MFAE | MC908GZ32CFAE | MC908GZ60CFUE | MC68HC908GZ60MFAE | MC908GZ48MFAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7) | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB | 16 KB (+100%) | 32 KB (+300%) | 60 KB (+650%) | 60 KB (+650%) | 48 KB (+500%) |
| Core | CPU08 (8-bit CISC) | CPU08 | CPU08 | CPU08 | CPU08 | CPU08 |
| Maximum Bus Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL (discontinued) | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8-channel | 10-bit, 8-channel | 10-bit, 8-channel | 10-bit, 8-channel | 10-bit, 8-channel | 10-bit, 8-channel |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-memory variant in the HC08GZ family (vs MC908GZ16MFAE)
- Pin-compatible with all 48-LQFP HC08GZ siblings (vs MC908GZ32CFAE)
- Discontinued but still supported by authorized stock (vs Active S08 successors)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/VSS pair with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of the package pin, plus a shared 4.7 uF tantalum or electrolytic bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The HC08GZ internal voltage regulator requires low-impedance VDD for stable Flash programming and ADC reference operation. Place the bulk cap near the VDD pin and route power traces at least 0.5 mm wide to handle inrush during Flash erase cycles.
Route the OSC1 and OSC2 traces with a ground guard ring or surrounded by grounded copper to isolate them from switching noise on nearby GPIO lines. The HC08 PLL multiplies the bus clock from this oscillator, and any noise injection manifests as timer jitter on PWM outputs. Keep crystal traces short (under 10 mm), symmetric, and use a crystal with rated load capacitance matching the on-chip load capacitor configuration.
The TEST pin must be tied to VDD through a 4.7 kohm resistor for normal operation; leaving it floating or grounded places the device into factory test mode and prevents user code execution. Also ensure RESET has a proper pull-up (typically 10 kohm to VDD) and a 1 nF cap to VSS for noise filtering - omitted RESET pull-ups are a common cause of intermittent code lockups in noisy industrial environments. The 48-LQFP-7x7 variant is the largest in the family, so verify your package code matches before PCB assembly.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in the verified web snippets. The -MFAE suffix indicates industrial temperature grade per NXP HC08 family conventions; this variant is not AEC-Q100 qualified - select an automotive-grade S08 successor for AEC-Q100 designs.