MC68HC908QY1CDTE - 8-bit HC08 MCU, 1.5KB Flash, 8MHz | NXP
MPN: MC68HC908QY1CDTE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.68 | $1,680.00 |
MC68HC908QY1CDTE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for deterministic, low-power, cost-driven control tasks. The HC08 family uses a CISC Von Neumann architecture with the CPU08 core; it sits within the broader taxonomy of microcontrollers -> microprocessors -> semiconductor ICs. MCUs differ from microprocessors (MPU) by integrating program memory, RAM, and peripherals into a single device, eliminating external memory glue and reducing BOM cost.
Key features of the MC68HC908QY1CDTE include 1.5KB Flash program memory, 128 bytes of RAM, an 8MHz bus clock, 13 programmable I/O lines, on-chip PWM channels, and built-in low-voltage detect (LVD) and power-on reset (POR) for robust 5V-only operation. The 16-pin TSSOP footprint gives designers a compact surface-mount solution that is straightforward to assemble on double-sided boards. The lack of an integrated ADC distinguishes this QY1 variant from the ADC-equipped QY2/QY4 siblings.
Architecturally, the HC08 CPU08 core executes the standard M68HC08 instruction set, including bit-manipulation and multiply instructions that are useful for control loops. The Flash memory is in-system programmable, which simplifies firmware updates in the field. The peripheral set - PWM, timers, LVD, POR - is mapped onto the 13 I/O pins, giving the designer flexibility to configure each pin for digital I/O or peripheral function.
Typical applications include low-cost appliance control (washing machines, microwave ovens, fans), battery chargers, LED lighting controllers, remote-control receivers, and simple sensor-interface front-ends. The industrial temperature range and proven Flash reliability also suit industrial sensor modules and HVAC damper controllers. For designs that need analog conversion, the companion QY2/QY4 variants with on-chip ADC are recommended.
When designing with this part, ensure your firmware programmer supports the HC08 Flash algorithm and that your 5V rail provides clean decoupling within the 4.5V to 5.5V spec. Use the internal LVD to detect brown-out conditions rather than relying solely on POR.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives from the HC08 QY family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68HC908QY1CDTE — 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 MC68HC908QY1CDTE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status, Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC68HC908QY2CDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MC68HC908QY4CDTE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QY2ACDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908QY1CDTE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | HC08 / CPU08 |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1.5K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 x 8 (128 bytes) |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Peripherals | LVD, POR, PWM, Timer |
| Connectivity | None (no UART/SPI/I2C) |
| ADC | Not present |
| Package | 16-pin TSSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Packaging | Tube |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MC68HC908QY1CDTE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 2 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 (digital I/O or TCLK) |
| Pin 3 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 (digital I/O or RxD) |
| Pin 4 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 (digital I/O or TxD) |
| Pin 5 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 7 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 (digital I/O or IRQ) |
| Pin 8 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 9 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 (PWM / TCH0) |
| Pin 11 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 (PWM / TCH1) |
| Pin 12 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 (PWM / TCH2) |
| Pin 13 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | PTB5 / RST — Port B bit 5 / Reset (configurable) |
| Pin 16 | Vdd — Positive supply, 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
Typical Applications
MC68HC908QY1CDTE is suitable for 7 applications: Low-Cost Appliance Control, Battery Charger Controllers, LED Lighting Drivers, Remote Control Receivers, Industrial Sensor Modules, HVAC Damper / Valve Actuators, Simple Toys and Educational Kits.
Low-Cost Appliance Control
The MC68HC908QY1CDTE fits white-goods and small-appliance controllers such as microwave ovens, washing-machine timers, and fan speed regulators. Its 8MHz CPU, 1.5KB Flash, and 13 I/O pins are sufficient to run a state-machine user interface while driving TRIACs or relays via the PWM channels. The integrated LVD and POR modules protect against brown-out and erratic power-up in motors with inductive kickback. Industrial temperature rating (-40C to +85C) suits under-hood or kitchen environments where commercial-grade parts would otherwise be required, and the 16-pin TSSOP footprint minimizes PCB area for cost-sensitive BOMs.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controllers
The MC68HC908QY1CDTE is well-suited as the supervisory controller in simple NiCd/NiMH or lead-acid charger modules. Its 5V-only supply rail matches the typical charger topology, while the PWM channels drive the switching FET or are gated through an external driver. The 1.5KB Flash holds a complete charge-algorithm state machine including delta-V detection and timer-based termination. The on-chip LVD prevents the charger from running into a brown-out state at the end of discharge cycles, and the 128-byte RAM is large enough for charge-profile lookup tables without external memory.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers
In LED drivers and dimmer controllers, the MC68HC908QY1CDTE provides the timing, PWM, and state-machine logic for brightness control. The 8MHz CPU clock easily drives a 1kHz PWM update with software debouncing of the user input, and the 13 I/O pins accept up to seven switch inputs plus the PWM output. For RGB or tunable-white fixtures, the same part drives three independent PWM channels via the timer module. The 5V supply rail is compatible with constant-current LED drivers that have logic-level dimming inputs, while the TSSOP-16 footprint keeps the BOM small enough for retrofit lamp designs.
Recommended
Remote Control Receivers
The MC68HC908QY1CDTE works as the decoder MCU in IR/RF remote receivers for toys, fans, and entry-level AV equipment. The CPU08 core can implement the consumer-IR protocols (RC5, NEC, SIRC) in software, freeing the user from dedicated decoder ICs. Its 8MHz clock gives enough headroom for accurate 38 kHz carrier decoding, while the 1.5KB Flash holds the protocol stack plus a small lookup table for button-to-action mapping. Low standby current and fast wake-up from POR make it suitable for always-on receive circuits powered by a small linear regulator.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Modules
The MC68HC908QY1CDTE suits simple industrial sensor-interface modules such as digital-output temperature, humidity, or proximity sensors. The HC08 core handles linearization and one-wire/Digital-Stream output protocols in software, while the PWM and timer peripherals generate the sensor excitation. With 13 I/O pins, the design can expose both a PWM-style analog output and a digital logic-level alarm output on the same PCB. Industrial temperature rating and integrated POR/LVD ensure reliable operation on noisy 24V-derived 5V rails with proper decoupling.
Recommended
HVAC Damper / Valve Actuators
In HVAC damper and small valve actuators, the MC68HC908QY1CDTE serves as the position-controller MCU. The PWM output drives the DC motor through an H-bridge, while one or two digital inputs read the Hall-effect position sensors for closed-loop feedback. The 1.5KB Flash holds PID coefficients and fault-detection logic, while the 5V rail matches the HVAC control board supply. The integrated LVD is especially useful in HVAC where power brown-outs are common during compressor cycling - the MCU reliably resets rather than running into undefined state.
Recommended
Simple Toys and Educational Kits
The MC68HC908QY1CDTE is a popular choice for hobby robots, educational STEM kits, and low-end consumer toys because of its low cost and simple HC08 toolchain. The 8MHz CPU and 1.5KB Flash support line-following robots, sumobot controllers, and programmable blinky toys with a small footprint. The TSSOP-16 package is hand-solderable with care, making it accessible for student projects. Industrial-grade temperature spec also lets the same hardware survive rough handling and battery thermal conditions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68HC908QY1CDTE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68HC908QY2CDTE | MC68HC908QY4CDTE | MC908QY2ACDTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 16-pin TSSOP | 16-pin TSSOP - same | 16-pin TSSOP - same | 16-pin TSSOP - same |
| Flash Memory | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 4 KB | 1.5 KB |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| On-chip ADC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CPU Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost no-ADC variant in the HC08 QY family (vs MC68HC908QY2CDTE)
- Compact 16-pin TSSOP package for space-constrained designs (vs MC68HC908QY1CDWE (SOIC-16))
- Proven HC08 family with mature toolchain (vs Generic PIC16F or ATtiny MCU)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 8MHz CPU clock and all 13 I/O pins active, the MC68HC908QY1CDTE draws approximately 8-15 mA from the 5V rail. Add a 100 nF decoupling cap directly across Vdd (pin 16) and Vss (pin 1) within 5 mm of the package - HC08 cores are sensitive to Vdd ringing during Flash programming. A bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the board's 5V rail is recommended for inductive load designs.
Keep the RST line clean - the MC68HC908QY1CDTE shares PTB5 with the reset function in some configurations. If PTB5 is used as a general I/O, place a 4.7 kohm pull-up and 100 nF cap on the RST/PTB5 line to prevent spurious resets during in-circuit programming. Maintain a keep-out zone around the TSSOP-16 pad to keep the erase/program voltage stable.
Do not confuse the QY1 (no ADC) with the QY2/QY4 (with ADC) - the package is the same but the pin functions differ in the analog channels. Also, the 'DTE' suffix denotes TSSOP-16; 'DWE' is SOIC-16 wide-body, and 'CPE' is PDIP-16. Mismatched suffix is a common procurement error. Verify the exact suffix on your BOM before ordering to avoid a layout rework.
The HC08 Flash programming algorithm requires clean Vdd with less than 50 mV ripple at 8MHz CPU activity. Place the 100 nF decoupling cap as close as possible to Vdd/Vss pins, with a wide ground pour under the TSSOP pad. If your PCB uses a switching regulator nearby, add a ferrite bead on the 5V rail feeding the MCU to suppress switching noise coupling into the Flash charge pump.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page; lead-free matte-tin finish. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - industrial-grade only. REACH compliance per EU declarations. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in available data.