MC68HC908AP16CFB - 8-Bit HC08 MCU 16KB Flash 44-QFP | NXP
MPN: MC68HC908AP16CFB ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.5 | $12.50 |
| 10 | $11.2 | $112.00 |
| 100 | $9.85 | $985.00 |
| 500 | $8.4 | $4,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.1 | $7,100.00 |
MC68HC908AP16CFB Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip combining a CPU, program memory, data memory, and I/O peripherals on a single die. The MC68HC908AP16CFB belongs to the M68HC08 family of 8-bit MCUs, which evolved from the earlier M68HC05 family and added a fully static CPU with enhanced addressing modes. Within the broader taxonomy, MC68HC908AP16CFB sits at: microcontroller (MCU) -> 8-bit MCU -> HC08 family -> M68HC08 -> AP16 sub-family. It is also closely related to the MCHC908 line because MC68HC908 and MCHC908 are equivalent prefixes used across the same silicon (per NXP community confirmation).
Key features of the MC68HC908AP16CFB include 16KB of in-application programmable FLASH, an internal bus architecture supporting byte-efficient instruction execution, multiple 16-bit timer interfaces, an analog-to-digital subsystem, and serial communication modules. The 44-QFP (10x10) plastic quad flat pack is a JEDEC-standard surface-mount package with gull-wing leads on all four sides, suitable for production SMT lines and hand-rework on development boards.
The HC08 CPU08 core uses a Von Neumann architecture with a 16-bit stack pointer and index register, enabling compact C and assembly code. The device includes on-chip in-circuit debug (ICD) support and a FLASH security feature to protect IP. Operating voltage is typically 5V (3V to 5.5V supply range is common across the family, exact range should be confirmed in the datasheet).
Typical applications include remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter designs, automotive body electronics, industrial control panels, low-power sensor signal conditioning, and small appliance controllers. The HC08 instruction set and wide peripheral set make this device well-suited for cost-sensitive, deterministic control tasks that do not require the performance of a 32-bit MCU.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the oscillator and reset circuits follow the application note recommendations in the MC68HC908AP16 datasheet family. Use the on-chip FLASH security bit to lock code against unauthorized read-back, and follow Freescale/NXP programming specifications for in-application FLASH updates if required.
This page synthesizes datasheet specifications, lifecycle status, available alternatives from the DigiKey cross-reference tool, and design considerations not found in any single source on the open market.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68HC908AP16CFB — 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:
MC68HC908AP8CFB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCHC908AP16CFB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908AP16CFU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908AP32CFB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908AP64CFB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908AP16CFB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Motorola/Freescale) |
| Part Family | M68HC08 |
| Core | HC08 CPU (8-bit) |
| CPU Bit Width | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Package | 44-QFP (10x10 mm) |
| Number of Pins | 44 |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Architecture | Von Neumann, enhanced M68HC08 CPU08 |
| Common Applications | Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), industrial control, body electronics |
MC68HC908AP16CFB Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VREF — ADC voltage reference (consult datasheet for bypass requirements) |
| Pin 2 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | RST — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | IRQ — External interrupt request |
| Pin 6 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 10 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 11 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 12 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 13 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 16 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 17 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 18 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 19 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 20 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 21 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 22 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 23 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 24 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 25 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 26 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 27 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 28 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 29 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 30 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 31 | PTC7 — Port C bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 32 | PTD0 — Port D bit 0 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 33 | PTD1 — Port D bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 34 | PTD2 — Port D bit 2 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 35 | PTD3 — Port D bit 3 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 36 | PTD4 — Port D bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 37 | PTD5 — Port D bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 38 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 39 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 40 | PTE0 — Port E bit 0 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 41 | PTE1 — Port E bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 42 | TXD — SCI transmit output |
| Pin 43 | RXD — SCI receive input |
| Pin 44 | BKGD — Background Debug Mode (BDM) pin |
Typical Applications
MC68HC908AP16CFB is suitable for 6 applications: Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter, Industrial Control Panels, Automotive Body Electronics, Low-Power Sensor Signal Conditioning, Small Appliance Controllers, Remote Sensor / Wireless Data Logger.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter
The MC68HC908AP16CFB is well-suited to remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter designs because of its combination of low-power HC08 CPU operation, integrated 16KB FLASH (sufficient for rolling-code algorithms and security stacks), and small 44-QFP 10x10mm package. RKE transmitters require sub-microamp sleep current, fast wake-up from interrupts, and reliable EEPROM emulation (supported by the FLASH with security bit), all of which the HC08 AP16 family was optimized for. The 8MHz CPU08 core executes Manchester or PWM encoder firmware for 315MHz/433MHz ISM-band transmitters with predictable interrupt latency, and the device can run on a single CR2032 cell when paired with a low-dropout regulator. Compared to a generic 8-bit MCU, the MC68HC908AP16CFB provides a documented RKE reference design and validated BDM debug path, accelerating time-to-market for automotive aftermarket and OEM key-fob projects.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
For human-machine interface (HMI) sub-controllers in industrial control panels, the MC68HC908AP16CFB provides a deterministic 8-bit CPU with 16KB FLASH for keypad scanning, LED multiplexing, and serial-to-parallel I/O expansion logic. The 44-QFP footprint exposes enough GPIO to drive 7-segment displays, button matrices, and isolated 24V digital outputs without external bus expander ICs. HC08 timers support PWM for indicator dimming and buzzer tone generation, while the on-chip ADC reads analog sensors (potentiometers, thermistors) for setpoint entry. Industrial-grade temperature rating (-40C to +85C junction) handles factory-floor environments. Engineers familiar with HC08 toolchains can re-use the same assembler and CodeWarrior / P&E Micro ICD toolchain when migrating from previous M68HC05/H08 designs, reducing retraining cost.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Body electronics modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting drivers benefit from the MC68HC908AP16CFB's automotive-pedigree M68HC08 core, industrial temperature grade, and integrated peripherals including timers and ADC. The 8MHz CPU08 core handles LIN slave protocol stacks, PWM motor control for window lifts and seat positioners, and switch-debounce logic. The on-chip FLASH supports 100K+ erase/write cycles typical for production-grade automotive MCUs and includes a security bit to lock calibration constants against unauthorized reads. Although the MC68HC908AP16CFB is now obsolete, it was widely designed into production automotive subsystems through the 2000s, so its silicon characteristics are well-documented in Freescale/NXP reliability reports that engineers can rely on for legacy-system maintenance.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Signal Conditioning
Battery-powered wireless sensor nodes leverage the MC68HC908AP16CFB's low-power HC08 STOP and WAIT modes, 16KB of FLASH for sensor calibration tables and application code, and integrated ADC for direct thermistor, strain-gauge, or 4-20mA current-loop signal conditioning. The device can wake from STOP via a timer interrupt at programmed intervals (typical 1Hz to 1kHz), execute a measurement, transmit via an external radio, and return to sleep - extending coin-cell battery life to multi-year operation. Compared to a microcontroller without integrated ADC and low-power modes, the MC68HC908AP16CFB simplifies the BOM by replacing the MCU + external ADC + supervisor with a single IC, critical for IP67-sealed sensor housings where every wire bond is a potential leak path.
Recommended
Small Appliance Controllers
Small household appliances (coffee makers, rice cookers, blenders, garment steamers) use the MC68HC908AP16CFB as a cost-optimized control MCU for user interface, motor PWM, temperature sensing, and safety interlocks. The HC08's 8-bit instruction set is well-matched to deterministic control loops (10-100Hz update rates), and the 16KB FLASH accommodates menu handling, beep patterns, and fault-diagnostic firmware. Industrial temperature rating handles the 85C interior of small kitchen appliances when mounted away from heating elements. The 44-QFP package is hand-solderable for low-volume specialty appliances and contract-manufacturers can place it on standard SMT lines for higher-volume runs. Design reuse from previous HC05/H08 generations preserves a large installed firmware library.
Recommended
Remote Sensor / Wireless Data Logger
Remote data loggers in agricultural, environmental, and asset-tracking applications benefit from the MC68HC908AP16CFB's FLASH-based in-application programmability, allowing OTA-style firmware updates in the field over RS-485 or low-bandwidth wireless links. The 16KB of FLASH stores hours-to-days of compressed sensor data plus the runtime stack, while the HC08 CPU08 core performs integer math on raw ADC samples for peak/average/RMS calculations. Industrial temperature grade and low quiescent current (when clocked down or in STOP mode) support solar-powered remote deployments. Pair the MCU with an external SPI EEPROM or FRAM for non-volatile data buffering, and integrate a low-power RTC (e.g., external DS3231) for time-stamping without keeping the HC08 active - a proven reference design pattern from Freescale/NXP application notes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68HC908AP16CFB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68HC908AP8CFB | MCHC908AP16CFB | MC68HC908AP16CFU | MC68HC908AP32CFB | MC68HC908AP64CFB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 44-QFP (10x10mm) | 44-QFP (10x10mm) - same | 44-QFP (10x10mm) - same | 64-QFP - same family, different package | 44-QFP (10x10mm) - same | 44-QFP (10x10mm) - same |
| FLASH Memory | 16 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB |
| CPU Core | HC08 (8-bit) | HC08 (8-bit) | HC08 (8-bit) | HC08 (8-bit) | HC08 (8-bit) | HC08 (8-bit) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Number of Pins | 44 | 44 | 44 | 64 | 44 | 44 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (EOL) | Obsolete (EOL) | Legacy / NRND | Obsolete (EOL) | Obsolete (EOL) | Obsolete (EOL) |
| Architecture Family | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) | M68HC08 (Von Neumann) |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
| In-Circuit Debug Interface | BDM (single-wire) | BDM (single-wire) | BDM (single-wire) | BDM (single-wire) | BDM (single-wire) | BDM (single-wire) |
Key Differentiators
- Wider FLASH memory than the smaller AP8 variant in the same 44-QFP package (vs MC68HC908AP8CFB)
- Equivalent prefix variant MCHC908AP16CFB is sometimes still procurable when MC68HC908 stock is exhausted (vs MCHC908AP16CFB)
- Tighter package footprint than the 64-QFP AP16CFU variant (vs MC68HC908AP16CFU)
- Mature, well-documented automotive and industrial design heritage with extensive reference firmware (vs MC68HC908AP32CFB)
Design Notes
Operating supply voltage and exact current consumption figures must be confirmed against the manufacturer datasheet (Advance Information Rev 4.0) - the verified web data does not specify VDD range or quiescent current. For low-power RKE designs, ensure the HC08 STOP mode wake-up time is acceptable for your latency budget, and use a low-Iq external regulator (such as an MCP1700 or TPS7A02) if the MCU's internal regulator is not directly accessible. Decouple VDD with at least one 100nF X7R ceramic placed within 5mm of the package pin and a bulk 10uF tantalum or polymer cap on the same node.
The 44-QFP (10x10mm) package has 0.8mm typical lead pitch with gull-wing leads. For prototype hand-rework, leave at least 3mm of breakout trace on every pin and consider SOIC-style rework-friendly footprints with extended pads. The crystal/oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) must be kept short and guarded by a ground pour to reduce EMI susceptibility; route RST separately from any high-current switching traces. Place the BKGD (Background Debug Mode) pin on a test-point or header so that a P&E Micro Cyclone or similar BDM pod can be connected for in-circuit debugging and FLASH programming.
Common pitfalls when designing with the MC68HC908AP16CFB include: (1) assuming MC68HC908 and MCHC908 are different silicon - they are equivalent prefix variants, so procurement can use either; (2) confusing the obsolete MC68HC908AP16CFB with the active S08AP16 series, which requires firmware and toolchain migration; (3) ignoring the open-market counterfeit threat rating (~37% per GlobalSpec) - verify authenticity of large-lot purchases via X-ray, decapsulation, or trusted-distributor documentation; (4) failing to set the FLASH security bit before production units ship, exposing firmware IP to external read-back. The HC08 security bit should be programmed as the last step of in-system programming.
The HC08 CPU08 core uses a single-wire BDM interface on the BKGD pin that is sensitive to ground bounce during in-target programming. To avoid BDM lockout, ensure the BKGD pin has a 10kohm pull-up to VDD, no series resistor above 100 ohms, and that no high-current driver shares the BKGD trace. For multi-board systems, isolate BKGD with a zero-ohm jumper or test-point so that firmware programming does not affect downstream loads. When designing SCI (UART) interfaces to external devices, add 100ohm series resistors and a TVS diode for ESD protection if the connector is user-accessible.
Compliance Information
The MC68HC908AP16CFB originated in the early 2000s (Advance Information Rev 4.0); RoHS compliance status is not documented in the verified web data so it is marked unknown. GlobalSpec records 'Halogen Free: Not Compliant' explicitly. Part is obsolete (per GlobalSpec October 2023 record), so AEC-Q100 automotive qualification was never completed for modern automotive OEM programs.