MC908AP16CBE - 8-bit HC08 MCU, 16KB Flash, 8MHz, 42-PDIP | NXP
MPN: MC908AP16CBE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.85 | $68.50 |
| 100 | $5.95 | $595.00 |
| 500 | $5.2 | $2,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.65 | $4,650.00 |
MC908AP16CBE Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), working memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication ports, and GPIO into one package. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the embedded processor family and sits between simple logic ICs and full microprocessors; the 8-bit HC08 line specifically targets cost-sensitive, deterministic real-time control where low power, easy interrupt handling, and a familiar instruction set matter more than raw compute throughput.
Key features of the MC908AP16CBE include 16 KB Flash program memory, 1 KB RAM, a 10-bit successive-approximation ADC with multiple input channels, multiple 16-bit timers, a serial communications interface (SCI), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), and a 38-pin general-purpose I/O capability. The 42-pin PDIP package is through-hole and friendly to breadboard and legacy industrial designs.
The device is built on a 0.5 µm feature-size HC08 core with an integrated bandgap reference for the ADC and on-chip voltage regulator supporting 3.3V/5V dual-voltage operation. Its low-power wait and stop modes plus a flexible interrupt controller make it well suited to battery-backed or always-on industrial control modules.
Typical applications include appliance control (washing machines, dishwashers, HVAC), industrial sensor conditioning, simple motor control, smart metering, and white-goods human-machine interfaces. Engineers also deploy it in automotive body electronics subsystems and as a control coprocessor.
When designing with this MCU, allocate a stable external reset circuit, place the decoupling capacitor network as close as possible to the VDD/VSS pins, and verify ADC reference stability if using internal voltage reference. Note that the HC08 family has been classified NRND/EOL on some NXP roadmaps, so plan a migration to Kinetis EA or S08 in new designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same HC08AP family, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908AP16CBE — 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 MC908AP16CBE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Operating Temperature, ADC, Core, MSL Level.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908AP32CBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908AP64CBE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908AP16ACBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908AP8CBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908AP8ACBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908AP16CBE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | HC08 |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Architecture | CISC |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (16K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz (bus frequency) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| I/O Pins | 38 (approx.) |
| Package | 42-pin PDIP (SPDIP) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Communication Interfaces | SCI (UART), SPI |
| Timers | Multiple 16-bit |
| Pin Count | 42 |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
MC908AP16CBE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IRQ — External interrupt request input |
| Pin 2 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 3 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 4 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 5 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 6 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 7 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 8 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 9 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.3V / 5V) |
| Pin 12 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 13 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 14 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 15 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 16 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 17 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 18 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 19 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 20 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 21 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 22 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 23 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 24 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 25 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 26 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 27 | PTC7 — Port C bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 28 | PTD0 — Port D bit 0 / TxD (SCI transmit) |
| Pin 29 | PTD1 — Port D bit 1 / RxD (SCI receive) |
| Pin 30 | PTD2 — Port D bit 2 / SCLK (SPI clock) |
| Pin 31 | PTD3 — Port D bit 3 / MOSI (SPI master out) |
| Pin 32 | PTD4 — Port D bit 4 / MISO (SPI master in) |
| Pin 33 | PTD5 — Port D bit 5 / SS (SPI slave select) |
| Pin 34 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 35 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 36 | ADC0 — ADC analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 37 | ADC1 — ADC analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 38 | ADC2 — ADC analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 39 | ADC3 — ADC analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 40 | VREFH — ADC high reference voltage |
| Pin 41 | VREFL — ADC low reference voltage |
| Pin 42 | RST — Reset input (active low) |
Typical Applications
MC908AP16CBE is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods and Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Monitoring, Simple BLDC or Stepper Motor Control, Smart Metering and Energy Monitoring, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Keypad Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy Subsystems).
White Goods and Appliance Control
The MC908AP16CBE is a workhorse MCU in legacy washing-machine, dishwasher, and HVAC control boards. Its 8 MHz HC08 core provides deterministic interrupt response for relay drivers and triac phase-control loops, while the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor and water-level sensors directly. The 16 KB Flash fits typical appliance state-machine firmware, and the 42-pin SPDIP package is breadboard-friendly for service technicians. Compared with newer Cortex-M0 parts, the HC08AP remains favored for its proven field reliability, simple interrupt model, and easy in-circuit reprogramming via monitor mode for factory calibration.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Monitoring
For industrial 4-20 mA loop monitors, simple PLCs, and sensor-front-end boards, the MC908AP16CBE delivers 8 MHz of deterministic processing with on-chip 10-bit ADC and SCI/SPI peripherals. The dual-voltage 3.3V/5V supply tolerance lets the MCU share a regulated rail with both legacy analog and modern logic devices. The 38 GPIO pins drive indicator LEDs, opto-isolated outputs, and keypads without external mux. Compared with more modern Cortex parts, the HC08AP offers lower EMI and a simpler toolchain - ideal for factory-floor installations where 10+ year lifecycle support and proven firmware libraries matter more than raw MIPS.
Recommended
Simple BLDC or Stepper Motor Control
The MC908AP16CBE is well suited to small brushless DC or stepper motor commutation tasks where the 8 MHz HC08 core, multiple 16-bit timer channels, and 10-bit ADC (for back-EMF sensing) are sufficient. The 38 GPIO pins can drive MOSFET gate drivers through optocouplers or level shifters, and the interrupt controller handles encoder feedback at moderate RPMs. Compared with dedicated motor-control MCUs, the HC08AP is more cost-effective when full FOC algorithms are not required - trapezoidal commutation for pumps, fans, and small appliances is the sweet spot.
Recommended
Smart Metering and Energy Monitoring
In single-phase electricity, water, or gas meters, the MC908AP16CBE provides the low-power HC08 core, 10-bit ADC for current/voltage sensing, and SCI for AMR/AMI modem links. The on-chip Flash supports segmented storage of metering logs, and the timer subsystem tracks tariff intervals. Compared with newer low-energy MCUs, the HC08AP remains in legacy meter designs because of its proven long-term stability and 5 V tolerance for legacy analog front-ends. The 42-pin SPDIP package is convenient for through-hole meter-board assembly lines still common in field installations.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Keypad Controllers
The MC908AP16CBE handles keypad scanning, 7-segment or simple LCD driving, and rotary encoder inputs for industrial HMIs and white-goods control panels. Its 38 GPIO pins and SCI/SPI interfaces support character LCD modules and small graphic displays. The 16 KB Flash accommodates multi-language UI tables, while the 10-bit ADC reads potentiometer inputs smoothly. Compared with more capable Cortex parts, the HC08AP is preferred when the HMI is the entire product - cost-sensitive control panels where minimal BOM and proven interrupt handling dominate design priorities.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy Subsystems)
In older automotive body controllers - window lift modules, seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and basic climate controls - the MC908AP16ACBE variant provides AEC-Q100-style qualification with the same HC08 architecture as MC908AP16CBE. The 8 MHz bus, 10-bit ADC for current sensing, and SCI for LIN-bus bridges support standard automotive body networks. Compared with newer S32K or Kinetis EA parts, the HC08AP is favored for low-cost, non-safety-critical subsystems where decades of proven firmware libraries and 5 V tolerance for legacy drivers reduce migration risk.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908AP16CBE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908AP32CBE | MC908AP64CBE | MC908AP16ACBE | MC908AP8CBE | MC908AP8ACBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) - same | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) - same | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) - same | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) - same | 42-PDIP (SPDIP) - same |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| Bus Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Core | HC08 CISC 8-bit | HC08 CISC 8-bit | HC08 CISC 8-bit | HC08 CISC 8-bit | HC08 CISC 8-bit | HC08 CISC 8-bit |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V |
| Automotive Grade | No (standard) | No (standard) | No (standard) | Yes (automotive) | No (standard) | Yes (automotive) |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc) | USD 7.50 | USD 8.20 | USD 9.50 | USD 8.10 | USD 6.40 | USD 6.95 |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-density Flash position in the HC08AP family (vs MC908AP8CBE)
- Industrial-standard variant (non-automotive) (vs MC908AP16ACBE)
- Pin-compatible across the entire HC08AP family (vs MC908AP64CBE)
Design Notes
Estimated: At 5 V VDD, 8 MHz clock, and active peripheral set, the HC08AP core draws approximately 15-20 mA. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair on the 42-pin SPDIP, plus a bulk 10 uF electrolytic at the supply entry point. Use a reset supervisor IC or RC network on the RST pin (pin 42) to guarantee clean power-on reset - the HC08 internal POR is not always sufficient for noisy industrial supplies. Estimated current figure based on Freescale/NXP typical HC08AP active-mode values.
Route the external crystal traces symmetrically and as short as possible, with a grounded guard ring to minimize EMI coupling into the ADC. Place the ADC reference decoupling (100 nF + 1 uF ceramic) directly at the VREFH and VREFL pins (40 and 41). Keep analog input traces away from SCI/SPI switching lines to avoid ADC noise injection. The 42-pin PDIP through-hole layout is forgiving for hand-soldered prototypes but ensure adequate annular ring and pad spacing for industrial assembly lines.
Do not assume any HC08AP variant (AP8/AP16/AP32/AP64) is interchangeable without verifying the Flash size in the linker memory map - firmware built for 16 KB will silently overwrite on an 8 KB part, and a 64 KB binary will fail to fit on smaller Flash. Always lock the IRQ pin (pin 1) to a defined state with a pull-up resistor if unused; a floating IRQ can cause spurious vector fetches. Monitor mode (background debug) requires the IRQ pin to be driven low at reset - check the datasheet's debug section before laying out the programming header.
Compliance Information
Lifecycle NRND per NXP roadmap. Standard variant is not automotive qualified - choose MC908AP16ACBE for automotive. Compliance flags were not present in the verified web data and are marked unknown rather than guessed.
