MC68SEC000CAA16-FR - 16MHz 32-bit M68K Static MPU | NXP | 64-QFP
MPN: MC68SEC000CAA16-FR ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.79 | $28.79 |
| 10 | $25.5 | $255.00 |
| 100 | $22.4 | $2,240.00 |
| 500 | $19.85 | $9,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.95 | $17,950.00 |
MC68SEC000CAA16-FR Overview
An M68000 microprocessor (MPU) is a member of the classic 32-bit CISC family originally introduced by Motorola in 1979. It executes the M68K ISA with 32-bit internal registers, a linear 32-bit address space, and an external 16-bit (or 8-bit, on HC001) data bus. The MC68SEC000 is the static core: a hardware design may halt CLK to suspend execution at near-zero power, then resume without losing register/memory contents — a feature the original dynamic MC68000 lacked. Within the family taxonomy it sits as: MC68SEC000 -> SEC000 variant -> EC000 family -> M68K MPUs -> 32-bit embedded processors.
Key features include 16 MHz maximum operating frequency, a 32-bit programming model with eight data registers and eight address registers, 56 distinct instruction types, seven addressing modes, and a 24-bit external address bus supporting 16 MB of linear addressing. The processor provides a supervisor/user privilege model, a 7-level interrupt structure with vectored interrupts, and a 32-bit barrel shifter. It supports both 3.3 V and 5 V supply operation per the verified listing, with low-power CMOS implementation that allows clock-stopped operation for energy-sensitive applications.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, legacy M68K retro-computing platforms, embedded instrumentation, point-of-sale terminals, factory automation controllers, and aerospace/defense systems requiring deterministic M68K software execution at moderate clock rates.
When designing with this MPU, allocate the full 24-bit address range to memory-mapped peripherals and external ROM/RAM, and verify glue logic against the asynchronous bus timing diagrams in the Motorola M68000 Family User Manual.
This page synthesizes cross-vendor distributor pricing, same-family pin-compatible NXP variants, and applied design notes for sustaining engineering — content not aggregated by any single distributor product page.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68SEC000CAA16-FR — 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:
MC68SEC000CAA16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68SEC000CEI16
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC000CAA16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68HC000CAA16
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68SEC000AEI10
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68SEC000CAA16-FR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | M68000 (M68K CISC) |
| Processor Family | MC68SEC000 (static, low-power EC000 variant) |
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit external (32-bit internal) |
| Address Bus Width | 24-bit (16 MB address space) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Instruction Set | M68K (56 instruction types, 7 addressing modes) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Static Operation | Yes (clock may be stopped to retain state) |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Core Count | 1 Core, 32-bit |
| Package / Case | 64-QFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead Free Status | Lead Free |
| RoHS Status | RoHS Compliant |
| Packaging | Tray |
MC68SEC000CAA16-FR 64-qfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC68SEC000CAA16-FR (64-qfp (14x14 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for MC68SEC000CAA16-FR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC68SEC000CAA16-FR is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Industrial Control Systems, M68K Retro-Computing & Educational Platforms, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, Factory Automation Controllers, Aerospace & Defense Embedded Systems, Embedded Instrumentation & Data Loggers.
Legacy Industrial Control Systems
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR fits legacy industrial control systems that require deterministic M68K software execution with low standby power. Its 16 MHz clock, full 32-bit M68K ISA, and 16 MB address space handle real-time PLC scan loops, HMI screen refresh, and serial fieldbus protocol stacks (Modbus, PROFIBUS) at cycle times well under 10 ms. The static core lets the design halt CLK during idle periods, dropping system power without losing PLC state — critical for 24V factory-bus equipment where the SEC000 dissipates roughly 0.4 W active versus milliwatts when clock-stopped. The 64-QFP package and 5 V tolerance simplify drop-in upgrades for installed EC000-based controllers.
Recommended
M68K Retro-Computing & Educational Platforms
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR is ideal for retro-computing projects and educational single-board computers that reproduce classic 68000-based architectures. Its 16 MHz speed, true static operation (allowing single-step clock for teaching), and standard 64-QFP footprint expose the full M68K programming model — 32-bit registers, 7 addressing modes, supervisor/user modes — to students writing assembly. Compared to using a faster modern MCU, the SEC000 preserves the authentic 68000 bus-cycle timing that retro-software expects. The 5 V supply matches hobbyist bench supplies, and the part's continued distributor availability through Rochester Electronics keeps legacy projects buildable decades after the original launch.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR suits POS terminals running legacy M68K firmware stacks for barcode scanning, magnetic-stripe readers, and thermal printer control. Its 16 MHz throughput is sufficient to drive a small character-mapped LCD, a keyboard matrix scan loop at <1 ms, and serial RS-232 links to back-office terminals without DMA. The 24-bit address space (16 MB) accommodates both the firmware ROM and RAM scratch buffers for transaction logging. Static operation allows the POS terminal to enter low-power standby between customer transactions, dropping from 0.4 W to milliwatts while keeping the transaction log intact — a key requirement for battery-backed retail terminals.
Recommended
Factory Automation Controllers
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR powers factory automation controllers such as motor drive front-ends, sensor aggregation nodes, and small CNC interpolators that have shipped with M68K firmware for decades. The 16 MHz clock plus 32-bit M68K ALU delivers the deterministic step-pulse generation and quadrature decoder throughput these applications need. The static core supports clock-gated sleep modes between production cycles — useful for energy-aware factories — while the 64-QFP package withstands the -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range typical of cabinet installations. Designers can migrate existing EC000 controllers to the SEC000 by direct drop-in replacement with no firmware changes required.
Recommended
Aerospace & Defense Embedded Systems
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR is used in long-lifecycle aerospace and defense systems that depend on the M68K software base and qualified through Rochester Electronics' aerospace-grade stocking program. Its deterministic 16 MHz execution supports flight-control sensor polling, avionics bus protocol handling (MIL-STD-1553 via external transceivers), and redundant processing channel arbitration. The static core lets mission-critical systems halt the MPU in a known state for fault recovery without losing context. The 64-QFP package has decades of reliability heritage in DO-178-certified designs, and the part's continued availability through the Rochester Electronics authorized channel is essential for sustainment programs operating on 15-30 year horizons.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation & Data Loggers
The MC68SEC000CAA16-FR suits portable embedded instrumentation — oscilloscope front-ends, data loggers, and field test gear — where the M68K software base provides DSP-style math routines and the static core enables aggressive clock-gating for battery life. Its 16 MHz execution handles 8-channel 12-bit ADC scans at >100 kSPS aggregate, plus real-time SD card logging via SPI glue logic. The 16 MB address space accommodates large circular buffer RAM and lookup tables for sensor linearization. Static clock-stop allows the logger to wake on a timer interrupt, capture one sample, and return to sleep at microamp-level current — extending battery life by orders of magnitude versus continuous-clock designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68SEC000CAA16-FR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68SEC000CAA16 | MC68SEC000CEI16 | MC68EC000CAA16 | MC68HC000CAA16 | MC68SEC000AEI10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale/Motorola) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 64-QFP (14x14 mm) | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same | 64-QFP (14x14) - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Core Architecture | M68K (MC68SEC000, static) | M68K SEC000 static | M68K SEC000 static | M68K EC000 non-static | M68K HC000 non-static | M68K SEC000 static |
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit external | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Static Clock-Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Pinout Compatibility with MC68SEC000 | (reference part) | 100% identical | 100% identical | 100% identical | 100% identical | 100% identical |
Key Differentiators
- True static operation with clock-stop state retention (vs MC68EC000CAA16)
- Lowest power consumption in the M68K family (vs MC68HC000CAA16)
- Dual-voltage 3.3 V / 5 V operation in the same part (vs Generic 5 V only M68K MPUs)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 16 MHz active clock with VCC = 5 V, the MC68SEC000 draws roughly 80 mA typical (0.4 W). When CLK is gated to a stopped state for low-power standby, the static core retains all register/memory state while dropping supply current to single-digit mA, enabling battery-backed designs. Always place a 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitor adjacent to each VCC pin and a bulk 10 µF tantalum on the main supply rail to suppress the periodic address-bus switching transients typical of CISC processors with 16-bit external buses.
Route the asynchronous M68K bus (A1-A23, D0-D15, AS, LDS, UDS, R/W, FC0-FC2) with matched trace lengths to avoid timing skew that can violate the bus arbitration window documented in the M68000 Family User Manual. Keep the CLK trace short and guarded by ground to minimize EMI. Place external SRAM, ROM, and peripheral glue logic within 2-3 inches of the 64-QFP footprint to keep capacitive loading within the MPU's drive specification. The RESET line should be pulled high through a 4.7 kΩ resistor and decoupled with a 1 nF capacitor to ensure clean power-on reset.
Do not confuse the dynamic MC68000 with the static MC68SEC000 — only the SEC000 allows CLK to be stopped while preserving state. Avoid pulling DTACK (data transfer acknowledge) high without proper bus-cycle termination or the MPU will hang waiting for the peripheral response. When migrating from an HC000/EC000 design, ensure the clock-source drive strength is sufficient for the SEC000's static operation mode — a weak oscillator may fail to restart cleanly after a clock-stop interval.
Estimated: at 16 MHz and 5 V, the 64-QFP package dissipates ~0.4 W, well within the thermal envelope for natural convection cooling on a 2-layer PCB with moderate copper pour. For sealed enclosures without airflow, derate ambient temperature by 10°C or upgrade to a 4-layer PCB with internal ground plane for additional heat spreading. The SEC000 family is rated across commercial and industrial temperature grades; confirm the exact suffix with NXP's ordering information before deployment in extreme environments.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and Lead Free per verified DigiKey listing. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not explicitly published in the verified data; request the latest manufacturer declaration from NXP for production compliance documentation.