MC68HC908GZ16CFA - 8-Bit HC08 MCU, 16KB Flash, 48-LQFP | NXP
MPN: MC68HC908GZ16CFA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 10 | $7.1 | $71.00 |
| 100 | $6.25 | $625.00 |
| 500 | $5.5 | $2,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
MC68HC908GZ16CFA Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (FLASH/ROM), volatile data memory (RAM), and a rich set of programmable peripherals (timers, ADC, communications, GPIO) onto one die. The MC68HC908GZ16CFA belongs to the 8-bit MCU category, sitting within the HC08 (HCMOS 8-bit) product hierarchy: HC08 family -> M68HC08 line -> HC908 sub-family -> GZ CAN-integrated series -> low-cost automotive/industrial edge-node controller tier.
Key features include an 8-channel 10-bit ADC with internal bandgap reference, two 16-bit timer/PWM modules, a serial communications interface (SCI), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), up to 37 general-purpose I/O pins, and a low-power STOP/WAIT mode with internal COP watchdog. The integrated MSCAN08 module implements the BOSCH CAN 2.0B specification (September 1991 revision), enabling the MCU to serve as a low-end CAN node on automotive and industrial networks.
From an architectural standpoint, the HC908GZ16 uses a Von Neumann-style unified address map with FLASH mapped into the program space and supporting in-application re-programming through a ROM-resident monitor. The 5V-tolerant I/O ring and wide operating-voltage range make the part friendly to legacy 5V sensors and actuator drivers found in body-electronics modules. The MSCAN08 peripheral buffers up to 15 CAN messages in hardware, offloading the CPU from bus arbitration tasks.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers (door modules, mirror controllers, seat controllers), industrial CANopen/J1939 slave devices, low-end HVAC control boards, appliance control panels, and simple sensor-fusion nodes that require a CAN physical layer but do not justify a 16-bit or 32-bit MCU. The wide 4.5 V - 5.5 V supply range and -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade also fit remote telemetry and energy-metering peripherals.
When designing with this MCU, pay close attention to the bypass-capacitor guidance shown in Figure 1-4 of the datasheet. Because the HC908GZ16 I/O drivers source fast edges, VDD/VSS pins must each have a 100 nF ceramic placed within a few millimeters of the package. Designers should preserve the IRQ/TBG/Reset pin-out compatibility when migrating between HC908GZ8 and HC908GZ16 variants on the same PCB.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes that are not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers evaluate the MC68HC908GZ16CFA against modern 8-bit alternatives for both new designs and legacy maintenance.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68HC908GZ16CFA — 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 MC68HC908GZ16CFA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, ADC, Communication Interfaces, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC68HC908GZ8CFA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908GZ16CFAR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GZ16CFAE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908GZ16VFA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC908GR8CFA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908GZ16CFA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | HC08 (8-bit HCMOS) |
| Bus Frequency | 8 MHz (internal) |
| Program Memory | 16 KB FLASH |
| RAM | 1 KB |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit TIM with PWM |
| Communication Interfaces | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B), SCI (UART), SPI |
| GPIO | Up to 37 I/O pins |
| Clock Sources | 1 MHz - 8 MHz external crystal; internal bus up to 8 MHz |
| Watchdog | COP watchdog (internal) |
| Low-Power Modes | STOP, WAIT |
| Programming | In-system FLASH programming via ROM monitor (no high voltage) |
| MSCAN08 Compliance | BOSCH CAN 2.0B (Sep 1991 spec) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (LQFP) |
MC68HC908GZ16CFA Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTE0/TxD — GPIO / SCI transmit |
| Pin 2 | PTE1/RxD — GPIO / SCI receive |
| Pin 3 | PTE2 — GPIO |
| Pin 4 | PTE3 — GPIO |
| Pin 5 | PTE4 — GPIO |
| Pin 6 | PTE5 — GPIO |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Power supply (4.5 V - 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | PTD7 — GPIO |
| Pin 10 | PTD6 — GPIO |
| Pin 11 | PTD5 — GPIO |
| Pin 12 | PTD4 — GPIO |
| Pin 13 | PTD3 — GPIO |
| Pin 14 | PTD2 — GPIO |
| Pin 15 | PTD1 — GPIO |
| Pin 16 | PTD0/SS — GPIO / SPI slave select |
| Pin 17 | PTC7 — GPIO |
| Pin 18 | PTC6 — GPIO |
| Pin 19 | PTC5 — GPIO |
| Pin 20 | PTC4 — GPIO |
| Pin 21 | PTC3 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 22 | PTC2 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 23 | PTC1 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 24 | PTC0 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 25 | PTB7 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 26 | PTB6 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 27 | PTB5 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 28 | PTB4 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 29 | PTB3 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 30 | PTB2 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 31 | PTB1 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 32 | PTB0 — GPIO / ADC ch |
| Pin 33 | PTA7 — GPIO |
| Pin 34 | PTA6 — GPIO |
| Pin 35 | PTA5 — GPIO |
| Pin 36 | PTA4 — GPIO |
| Pin 37 | PTA3 — GPIO |
| Pin 38 | PTA2 — GPIO |
| Pin 39 | PTA1 — GPIO / IRQ |
| Pin 40 | PTA0 — GPIO / IRQ |
| Pin 41 | CAN_TX — MSCAN08 transmit |
| Pin 42 | CAN_RX — MSCAN08 receive |
| Pin 43 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 44 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 45 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 46 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 47 | RST — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 48 | VPP/TEST — Test mode / programming |
Typical Applications
MC68HC908GZ16CFA is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Industrial CANopen / J1939 Slave Nodes, HVAC and Appliance Control Boards, Low-End Sensor-Fusion Edge Nodes, Smart Energy Metering Peripherals, Legacy Automotive Module Sustainment.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The MC68HC908GZ16CFA is well matched to automotive body-control applications because its integrated MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) controller plus 5 V-tolerant I/O ring let it sit directly on a CAN bus and drive legacy 5 V actuators. With 16 KB of FLASH the part comfortably holds typical body-control state machines for door modules, mirror controllers, seat controllers, and headlamp-leveling modules without external memory. The 8 MHz internal bus and two 16-bit timer/PWM channels are sufficient for servo positioning loops and PWM lamp-driver control at 1 kHz update rates.
Recommended
Industrial CANopen / J1939 Slave Nodes
The MC68HC908GZ16CFA functions as a low-cost CANopen or SAE J1939 slave node because its MSCAN08 peripheral implements CAN 2.0B extended-frame arbitration with 15 hardware message buffers, offloading the 8-bit CPU from bus arbitration work. The 16 KB FLASH holds CiA 401 generic I/O or J1939-71 application-layer profiles without external program memory. Operating from 4.5 V to 5.5 V at -40 C to +85 C, the part fits industrial-cabinet temperature specs, and the 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads 0-5 V transducer outputs directly without external signal conditioning.
Recommended
HVAC and Appliance Control Boards
The MC68HC908GZ16CFA suits residential HVAC control boards and major-appliance controllers because its 16 KB FLASH supports multi-stage thermostat, defrost-cycle, and diagnostic-logging firmware, while the 8-channel 10-bit ADC handles multiple NTC thermistor inputs, pressure transducers, and humidity sensors without external multiplexer. The two 16-bit timer/PWM channels generate the triac-firing pulses needed for 50/60 Hz line-frequency control. Because HVAC boards are typically mains-isolated, the MCU's industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) provides margin against under-cabinet thermal rise.
Recommended
Low-End Sensor-Fusion Edge Nodes
The MC68HC908GZ16CFA serves as a sensor-fusion edge node where multiple analog sensors converge onto a CAN bus for upstream aggregation. The 8-channel ADC samples thermistors, potentiometers, photo-diodes, or 4-20 mA loop signals, while the HC08 core applies digital filtering and scaling before placing data on the CAN bus via MSCAN08. Because the part runs at 8 MHz, it does not need a high-speed core - this keeps quiescent current low and allows battery-backed operation in remote telemetry units with intermittent CAN wake-up duty cycles.
Recommended
Smart Energy Metering Peripherals
The MC68HC908GZ16CFA is appropriate for smart-energy metering peripherals such as water/gas meter reading endpoints that need a low-end CAN or wired backbone. Its 16 KB FLASH holds metering protocol stacks (DLMS/COSEM or M-Bus variants), and the integrated ADC digitizes pulse-output meter transducers directly. Industrial temperature range, wide 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply tolerance, and STOP/WAIT low-power modes allow battery-powered meter endpoints to operate for years on primary cells while still participating in periodic CAN network polls.
Recommended
Legacy Automotive Module Sustainment
Because the MC68HC908GZ16CFA is NRND, a primary use case in 2026 is sustaining long-life automotive modules already in production - door-zone controllers, mirror modules, seat controllers, and steering-column switch interfaces designed around the HC08 GZ family. Engineers performing service and field replacement need drop-in compatible parts, and the same-family GZ8, GZ16 tape-and-reel variants, and the MC908GZ16CFAE alternative all share the same 48-LQFP footprint so no PCB rework is required for last-time-buy substitution. Long-term, new platforms should migrate to the NXP S32K1 or KEA series successors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68HC908GZ16CFA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68HC908GZ8CFA | MC68HC908GZ16CFAR | MC908GZ16CFAE | MC68HC908GZ16VFA | MC68HC908GR8CFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz | HC08 8-bit @ 8 MHz |
| FLASH | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (same) | 16 KB (same) | 16 KB (same) | 8 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) |
| CAN Controller | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) | MSCAN08 (CAN 2.0B) | None (no MSCAN) |
| ADC | 8-ch 10-bit | 8-ch 10-bit (same) | 8-ch 10-bit (same) | 8-ch 10-bit (same) | 8-ch 10-bit (same) | 6-ch 10-bit (-25%) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V - 5.5 V | 4.5 V - 5.5 V (same) | 4.5 V - 5.5 V (same) | 4.5 V - 5.5 V (same) | 4.5 V - 5.5 V (same) | 3.0 V - 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated MSCAN08 CAN 2.0B controller vs non-CAN HC08 variants (vs MC68HC908GR8CFA)
- Drop-in 48-LQFP pinout compatibility with GZ8, VFA, and GZ16CFAR (vs MC68HC908GZ8CFA)
- In-system FLASH programming via ROM monitor (vs MC68HC908MR8CFA)
Design Notes
Provide one 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor within 3 mm of every VDD/VSS pair on the MC68HC908GZ16CFA, as called out in Figure 1-4 of the NXP datasheet. Because the HC08 I/O drivers source fast edges (typical rise/fall times of a few nanoseconds at 5 V), insufficient local decoupling allows supply-rail ringing that can corrupt ADC conversions and induce spurious CAN bus errors. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor near the package to absorb aggregate load transients. Place the bulk cap at the same node as the highest di/dt GPIO port to limit the ground-bounce loop area.
When migrating between the MC68HC908GZ16CFA and the MC68HC908GZ8CFA, verify that the final firmware image still fits within 8 KB if you downgrade to GZ8. The HC08 vector table occupies the top of the FLASH map, so any code that depends on extended-monitor or user-flash EEPROM emulation features present on GZ16 may silently fail on GZ8. Conversely, the GZ16 and GZ8 share pinout, peripherals, and instruction set, so no PCB or register-init changes are required when upgrading from GZ8 to GZ16. Always re-build and re-validate the firmware after migration.
Keep the MSCAN08 TX/RX traces short and routed as a differential pair with 120 ohm characteristic impedance to the external CAN transceiver; long unbalanced traces introduce common-mode noise that exceeds the BOSCH CAN 2.0B driver's input common-mode range. Place the transceiver within 20 mm of the MCU TX/RX pads and provide a small ferrite bead plus capacitor on the transceiver VCC pin. The HC08 internal bus runs at 8 MHz, so any 16 MHz or 33 MHz harmonics from neighboring digital signals can couple into the CAN bus if not properly grounded.
At 8 MHz internal bus and typical 5 V supply, the MC68HC908GZ16CFA draws roughly 15-25 mA active and well under 1 mA in STOP mode - thermal rise is negligible. However, the 48-LQFP package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 80 C/W, so at elevated ambient (above 70 C) the part benefits from a small copper pour tied to the exposed pad. Solder the exposed pad to a stitched ground plane to maximize heat dissipation and improve mechanical board-level reliability.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status for the 'CFA' suffix was not found in the verified web data - set to unknown and request the NXP material declaration (MD-...) for production certification. AEC-Q100 is not qualified - this part is industrial-temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) not automotive-grade (-40 C to +125 C).