MC68EC000CAA10 - 32-Bit 10MHz EC000 MPU | NXP 64-QFP
MPN: MC68EC000CAA10 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.98 | $6.98 |
| 10 | $6.42 | $64.20 |
| 100 | $5.85 | $585.00 |
| 500 | $5.3 | $2,650.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.75 | $4,750.00 |
MC68EC000CAA10 Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is the central processing unit of an embedded computing system, executing instructions fetched from external memory. The EC000 belongs to the M68000 (M68K) family of CISC microprocessors, which sits within the broader class of microcontrollers and embedded processors, in the hierarchy of integrated circuits. Designed by Motorola (now NXP) in 1979, the M68K architecture influenced later processor designs and remains widely deployed in legacy industrial, automotive, aerospace and telecom systems.
Key features of the MC68EC000CAA10 include 10 MHz clock frequency (100 ns minimum instruction cycle), 8 32-bit general-purpose data registers and 8 32-bit address registers, six addressing modes, and a 56-pin-equivalent signal subset on a 64-pin QFP package. The EC000 variant removes the full 68000's 8-bit/16-bit bus sizing logic to reduce die cost while preserving object-code compatibility with the original 68000 instruction set.
Architecturally, the EC000 implements the original 68000 instruction set including MOVE, MOVEM, MOVEP, CLR, JMP, Bcc, DBcc, Scc, ADD, SUB, AND, OR, EOR, MULU, MULS, DIVU, DIVS, NBCD, NEG, NEGX, NOT, TAS, TST, ASL, ASR, LSL, LSR, ROL, ROR, ROXL, ROXR, EXG, SWAP, EXT, JSR, BSR, RTS, RTE, TRAP, LINK, UNLK, STOP, RESET and NOP. It supports 18 addressing modes including address register indirect with index and full memory-alterable operations.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, point-of-sale terminals, automotive instrument clusters, avionics flight-control legacy systems, telecom switching equipment and embedded control boards where 68000 binary code reuse is mandated. The 10 MHz speed grade provides a balance between throughput and power consumption for cost-sensitive designs.
When designing with this device, allocate proper address and data bus buffering for memory-heavy designs and use a supervisor-mode-aware reset supervisor. The 10 MHz speed grade suits systems where legacy 68000 firmware is being maintained rather than ported; for new designs consider the ColdFire MCF5200/5300 family for drop-in code compatibility at higher clock speeds.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68EC000CAA10 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC68EC000CAA8
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC000CAA12
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC000CAA16
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TMP68EC000AF-10
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TMP68EC000AF-12
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
HD68EC000CP-10
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC000CAA10 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | M680x0 (EC000) |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit (external); 32-bit internal |
| Address Bus Width | 24-bit |
| Clock Frequency (Max) | 10 MHz |
| General-Purpose Registers | 8 data + 8 address (32-bit) |
| Instruction Set | MC68000 compatible |
| Package | 64-QFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
MC68EC000CAA10 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC — +5V supply |
| Pin 2 | A1 — Address bus bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | A2 — Address bus bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | A3 — Address bus bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | A4 — Address bus bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | A5 — Address bus bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | A6 — Address bus bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | A7 — Address bus bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | A8 — Address bus bit 8 |
| Pin 10 | A9 — Address bus bit 9 |
| Pin 11 | A10 — Address bus bit 10 |
| Pin 12 | A11 — Address bus bit 11 |
| Pin 13 | A12 — Address bus bit 12 |
| Pin 14 | A13 — Address bus bit 13 |
| Pin 15 | A14 — Address bus bit 14 |
| Pin 16 | A15 — Address bus bit 15 |
| Pin 17 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 18 | D15 — Data bus bit 15 |
| Pin 19 | D14 — Data bus bit 14 |
| Pin 20 | D13 — Data bus bit 13 |
| Pin 21 | D12 — Data bus bit 12 |
| Pin 22 | D11 — Data bus bit 11 |
| Pin 23 | D10 — Data bus bit 10 |
| Pin 24 | D9 — Data bus bit 9 |
| Pin 25 | D8 — Data bus bit 8 |
| Pin 26 | D7 — Data bus bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | D6 — Data bus bit 6 |
| Pin 28 | D5 — Data bus bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | D4 — Data bus bit 4 |
| Pin 30 | D3 — Data bus bit 3 |
| Pin 31 | D2 — Data bus bit 2 |
| Pin 32 | D1 — Data bus bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | D0 — Data bus bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 35 | AS — Address Strobe |
| Pin 36 | LDS — Lower Data Strobe |
| Pin 37 | UDS — Upper Data Strobe |
| Pin 38 | R/W — Read/Write |
| Pin 39 | FC0 — Function Code bit 0 |
| Pin 40 | FC1 — Function Code bit 1 |
| Pin 41 | FC2 — Function Code bit 2 |
| Pin 42 | VCC — +5V supply |
| Pin 43 | IPL0 — Interrupt Priority Level 0 |
| Pin 44 | IPL1 — Interrupt Priority Level 1 |
| Pin 45 | IPL2 — Interrupt Priority Level 2 |
| Pin 46 | DTACK — Data Transfer Acknowledge |
| Pin 47 | BERR — Bus Error |
| Pin 48 | VPA — Valid Peripheral Address |
| Pin 49 | E — Enable clock output |
| Pin 50 | VMA — Valid Memory Address |
| Pin 51 | RESET — Reset |
| Pin 52 | HALT — Halt |
| Pin 53 | BR — Bus Request |
| Pin 54 | BG — Bus Grant |
| Pin 55 | BGACK — Bus Grant Acknowledge |
| Pin 56 | CLK — Clock input |
| Pin 57 | VCC — +5V supply |
| Pin 58 | A23 — Address bus bit 23 |
| Pin 59 | A22 — Address bus bit 22 |
| Pin 60 | A21 — Address bus bit 21 |
| Pin 61 | A20 — Address bus bit 20 |
| Pin 62 | A19 — Address bus bit 19 |
| Pin 63 | A18 — Address bus bit 18 |
| Pin 64 | A17 — Address bus bit 17 |
Typical Applications
MC68EC000CAA10 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Automotive Instrument Clusters, Avionics Flight Control Legacy Systems, Telecom Switching Equipment, Embedded Control Boards (VME/CPCI).
Industrial Control Systems
The MC68EC000CAA10's 32-bit M68K architecture and 10 MHz throughput make it well-suited for industrial PLCs, motor controllers and factory automation boards running legacy 68000 firmware. Its 24-bit address bus supports up to 16 MB of external memory, enough for complex control programs and data logging. The mature instruction set and broad availability through authorized distributors support long-life industrial deployments. Unlike modern ARM Cortex-M controllers, the EC000 tolerates harsh industrial EMI environments because of its robust bus architecture.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
POS terminals often run legacy 68000 firmware for receipt printers, cash drawers and card readers; the MC68EC000CAA10 provides the right balance of throughput and cost for these applications. Its 16-bit external data bus simplifies interface to character LCDs, keypads and serial peripherals. The 10 MHz clock grade processes typical transaction firmware without bottlenecks. Using EC000 instead of the full 68000 cuts system cost while preserving object-code compatibility with installed firmware bases.
Recommended
Automotive Instrument Clusters
Legacy automotive instrument clusters use M68K microprocessors for gauge drives, CAN gateways and body controllers; the MC68EC000CAA10 fits 24V vehicle electrical systems with appropriate regulation. Its wide operating temperature range supports under-dash environments. The QFP-64 package enables compact PCB designs. Note that this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive designs requiring formal qualification should use automotive-graded equivalents or up-screen the standard part.
Recommended
Avionics Flight Control Legacy Systems
Avionics flight control systems on aircraft designed in the 1980s and 1990s use 68000-series processors; the MC68EC000CAA10 maintains those certified systems without firmware porting. The wide temperature tolerance and proven M68K reliability are critical for DO-178C certified designs. The 24-bit address bus supports substantial navigation database memory. Long-term availability through Rochester Electronics and authorized distributors makes the EC000 viable for DO-178 sustainment programs.
Recommended
Telecom Switching Equipment
Telecom switching systems deployed in the 1990s and early 2000s use MC68EC000 for call control and switching fabric management; the MC68EC000CAA10 supports these legacy platforms through sustainment programs. Its bus architecture interfaces cleanly to time-division switching fabrics. The 10 MHz throughput handles call-control firmware and signalling stacks without bottlenecks. Authorized aftermarket distributors like Rochester Electronics provide long-term continuity for telecom-grade support contracts.
Recommended
Embedded Control Boards (VME/CPCI)
VMEbus and CompactPCI single-board computers historically used MC68EC000 processors for I/O controllers, peripheral boards and processor mezzanines; the MC68EC000CAA10 enables form-fit-function replacements for end-of-life boards. The 16-bit data bus aligns with legacy VME mezzanine standards. The 10 MHz speed grade suits simple peripheral controllers that don't need full CPU horsepower. Drop-in compatibility with the same QFP-64 footprint enables redesign without PCB rework.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68EC000CAA10 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68EC000CAA8 | MC68EC000CAA12 | TMP68EC000AF-10 | HD68EC000CP-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | Toshiba | Renesas Electronics |
| Package | 64-QFP (14x14) | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same |
| Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 8 MHz | 12.5 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Architecture | EC000 (M68K) | EC000 (M68K) - same | EC000 (M68K) - same | EC000 (M68K) - same | EC000 (M68K) - same |
| External Data Bus | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Address Bus | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit |
| Instruction Set | MC68000 compatible | MC68000 compatible | MC68000 compatible | MC68000 compatible | MC68000 compatible |
Key Differentiators
- Exact drop-in pin compatibility across the EC000 family (vs MC68EC000CAA8 / MC68EC000CAA12)
- Multi-vendor second-source availability (vs TMP68EC000AF-10 (Toshiba) / HD68EC000CP-10 (Renesas))
- Object-code compatible with the full MC68000 instruction set (vs ColdFire MCF5206)
Design Notes
The MC68EC000CAA10 requires a clean +5V supply (VCC pins at positions 1, 42, 57); bulk decoupling of 10uF tantalum plus 0.1uF ceramic should be placed within 1 inch of each VCC pin. Estimated: at 10 MHz the EC000 draws approximately 50 mA typical, so budget a 200 mA supply. Ground pins (17, 34) should be tied to a continuous ground plane to avoid ground bounce on the address bus during DTACK transitions.
The EC000's address and data buses transition simultaneously, so place 33 ohm series termination resistors within 1 inch of the processor pins on A1-A23 and D0-D15 to dampen reflections on longer traces. Keep bus traces short and matched (within 1 inch length difference) to avoid skew between AS, LDS and UDS strobes. For memory-heavy designs, add a bus buffer (e.g. 74F245) to isolate the EC000 from heavy capacitive loads.
Do not confuse the EC000 (64-pin) with the full MC68000 (64-pin DIP) - their pinouts are NOT compatible. The EC000 omits bus-sizing signals (DSACK0/1) and uses LDS/UDS for byte selection. Ensure your reset supervisor provides at least 100 ms of stable clock before releasing RESET. The DTACK pin must be pulled up to VCC through 4.7k ohm if no peripheral is driving it, to prevent bus errors during power-on.
Place the EC000 at one edge of the PCB with all bus signals radiating away from it; keep the clock trace (CLK pin 56) shorter than 1 inch with a ground reference. Route VCC and GND on adjacent layers with vias stitching the ground plane. The 64-QFP has a 0.8 mm pitch requiring fine-pitch PCB fabrication (6 mil trace/space minimum); plan via-in-pad or dogbone fanout accordingly.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH and halogen-free status are not explicitly stated in the verified distributor data as of 2026-10-17. Automotive designs require AEC-Q100 screening since this part is not qualified; contact NXP for automotive-grade equivalents.