MC68VZ328CVP - 33MHz 32-Bit M68K MPU | 144-MAPBGA | NXP
MPN: MC68VZ328CVP ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.17 | $11.17 |
| 10 | $10.05 | $100.50 |
| 100 | $8.95 | $895.00 |
| 500 | $7.85 | $3,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.95 | $6,950.00 |
MC68VZ328CVP Overview
A microprocessor is a single-chip CPU that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions from external memory, while a microcontroller integrates the CPU with on-chip flash and RAM. The MC68VZ328CVP sits in the microprocessor category: it has no internal program memory and relies on external DRAM and flash, but integrates a comprehensive set of peripherals (LCD controller, UARTs, timers, PWM, real-time clock, USB client) that today often live in an MCU. As an M68K-family part, it belongs to the ColdFire/M68000 lineage — a CISC architecture that predates and is instruction-binary-compatible in spirit with later ColdFire cores — and traces its heritage to the original Motorola 68000 used in early Macintosh and Atari ST computers.
Headline specifications include a 33 MHz core clock with a 32-bit data path, a 16-bit external bus, integrated LCD controller with up to 640x512 resolution support, USB client and three UART channels, and a wide operating voltage range suitable for battery-powered designs. The 'VZ' variant is the integrated portable system processor specifically designed for handheld terminals, PDAs, and instrument clusters.
Typical applications include industrial HMI panels, portable data terminals, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, GPS handhelds, and ruggedized mobile computers. The integrated LCD controller and USB client make it especially well-suited for battery-powered graphical interfaces where reducing the bill of materials is critical.
When designing with this part, the 144-MAPBGA package requires careful PCB layout with controlled-impedance traces and multiple ground vias under the thermal/ground pad. The integrated peripherals are configured via memory-mapped registers, and code porting from earlier 68K designs is mostly straightforward thanks to the retained instruction set.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer's product brief to help engineers evaluate the part quickly.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68VZ328CVP — 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:
MC68EZ328CVP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68VZ328CAG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EZ328CAG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68VZ328CVP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale/Motorola) |
| Series | M683xx / DragonBall VZ |
| Core Architecture | M68000 (FLX68000) 32-bit CISC |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Data Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 33 MHz |
| Package | 144-MAPBGA (13x13 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, per data brief) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V typical (refer to data brief) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (refer to data brief) |
| Integrated LCD Controller | Yes (up to 640x512) |
| UART Channels | 3 |
| USB Interface | USB Client integrated |
| External Memory Bus | 16-bit DRAM/Flash interface |
MC68VZ328CVP 144-mapbga (13x13 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC68VZ328CVP (144-mapbga (13x13 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 MC68VZ328CVP.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC68VZ328CVP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Handheld Terminal / Portable Data Collector, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal, GPS / Mapping Handheld Device, Ruggedized Mobile Computer / Field Service Terminal, Medical Portable Patient Monitor (Legacy), Automotive Instrument Cluster / HMI (Legacy).
Industrial Handheld Terminal / Portable Data Collector
The MC68VZ328CVP fits industrial handheld terminals because its 33 MHz FLX68000 core delivers enough compute for barcode decoding, keypad scanning, and basic LCD graphics while the on-chip LCD controller (up to 640x512) drives a monochrome or color STN/TFT panel without an external controller IC. The integrated USB client connects to a cradle for charging and data sync without adding a USB PHY chip, cutting the bill of materials and battery drain. The 144-MAPBGA 13x13 mm package keeps the design compact enough to drop into a 200-300 g handheld enclosure.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
POS terminals benefit from the MC68VZ328CVP's combination of three UARTs (for magnetic-stripe reader, printer, and PIN pad), integrated LCD controller (for customer display), and USB client (for host system link). Running at 33 MHz, the FLX68000 easily handles the transaction state machine, encryption handoff, and LCD refresh. The 144-MAPBGA package is durable enough for shock-vibration-prone retail countertops when paired with proper underfill and corner staking, and the part's low power simplifies meeting Energy Star standby requirements.
Recommended
GPS / Mapping Handheld Device
The MC68VZ328CVP is a natural fit for early-generation GPS handhelds because the M68K core's strong pointer and byte-manipulation performance is ideal for map-rendering code, while the LCD controller drives monochrome 320x240 to 640x480 panels typical of consumer map devices from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The three UARTs let one channel carry NMEA from a GPS receiver while another drives a serial-only keypad or external sensor. The 144-MAPBGA footprint and 33 MHz clock keep power consumption low enough for AA-cell-powered devices between recharges.
Recommended
Ruggedized Mobile Computer / Field Service Terminal
Field-service terminals need industrial-grade temperature resilience, low power, and a rich peripheral set; the MC68VZ328CVP's industrial -40C to +85C rating and integrated LCDC + USB make it a strong fit. The 33 MHz core runs device-management firmware, inventory tracking, and LCD updates without saturating the bus. With the on-chip LCD controller handling the display and USB client managing the service cradle, designers reduce external component count and improve mean time between failure - a key specification for ruggedized handheld equipment.
Recommended
Medical Portable Patient Monitor (Legacy)
Medical monitors, especially portable patient monitors and infusion-pump interfaces from the early 2000s, use the MC68VZ328CVP because its low-power operation preserves battery runtime, the integrated LCD controller drives bedside waveform displays, and the on-chip timers/PWM manage beeper alerts and motor-control signals. Designers valued the part's deterministic M68K interrupt response for safety-critical timing. Today such legacy designs are typically maintained rather than redesigned, and the part's mature toolchain (gcc-m68k, E68K) remains usable.
Recommended
Automotive Instrument Cluster / HMI (Legacy)
Pre-CAN-dominated automotive instrument clusters and entry-level HMI displays relied on the MC68VZ328CVP for the same reasons industrial designers chose it: integrated LCD controller, multiple UARTs for CAN-transceiver or LIN-bus bridges, low-power core, and a compact 144-MAPBGA package. Although modern clusters use ARM Cortex-R or RH850 parts with CAN FD and ASIL-B support, the VZ family remains in long-life service for retrofit and aftermarket automotive products. The -40C to +85C industrial range suits cabin-mounted, non-safety-critical displays.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68VZ328CVP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68EZ328CVP | MC68VZ328CAG | MC68EZ328CAG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 144-MAPBGA (13x13 mm) | 144-MAPBGA (13x13 mm) - same | 144-MAPBGA (13x13 mm) - same | 144-MAPBGA (13x13 mm) - same |
| Core Architecture | M68000 (FLX68000) 32-bit CISC | M68000 (FLX68000) 32-bit CISC | M68000 (FLX68000) 32-bit CISC | M68000 (FLX68000) 32-bit CISC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 33 MHz | 33 MHz | 33 MHz | 33 MHz |
| Integrated LCD Controller | Yes (up to 640x512) | No | Yes (up to 640x512) | No |
| Integrated USB Client | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| UART Channels | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| External Memory Bus Width | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Richest on-chip peripheral set in the 144-MAPBGA M683xx family (vs MC68EZ328CVP)
- Drop-in compatibility within the VZ suffix family (vs MC68VZ328CAG)
- Stable long-life supply through distribution (vs ColdFire MCF5329)
Design Notes
The MC68VZ328CVP is a 144-ball MAPBGA with a 13x13 mm body and 0.8 mm pitch typical of the MAPBGA family. Use NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) land pads with 0.4 mm diameter, microvias to inner ground/power planes, and an array of 4-6 thermal vias under any exposed center pad to keep junction temperature in spec. Paste-stencil aperture should be 80-90% of land diameter to avoid solder balls bridging adjacent pads during reflow.
The M683xx external 16-bit DRAM/Flash bus can ring above 33 MHz when long PCB traces are not length-matched. Keep the address and data bus traces within 25 mm of the part, maintain 50 ohm impedance with a reference plane, and place series damping resistors (22-33 ohm) close to the MPU pins only if reflections are observed at the maximum bus load (4 DRAMs + 2 flashes). For LCD bus signals, route on a separate layer to avoid coupling to the memory bus.
Estimated: DRAM refresh at 33 MHz requires that the on-chip DRAM controller be programmed with t_RAS and t_RP per the chosen DRAM's datasheet; common M68K port bugs arise when t_RP is left at the default 1-CLK rather than the DRAM-spec value, producing intermittent read errors. Similarly, USB client D+/D- require 15 kohm pull-down resistors that, if omitted, prevent enumeration on Windows and Linux hosts. Always read the latest MC68VZ328 reference manual revision before initializing these peripheral blocks.
Compliance Information
RoHS, lead-free, and REACH status vary by manufacturing lot and date code; the original Freescale production was conventional leaded. Modern reels are typically Pb-free and RoHS-compliant but buyers must verify per lot - consult the distributor (DigiKey, Rochester) for the specific reel's compliance certificate.
