MC908GP32CBE - 8-Bit HC08 MCU, 32KB Flash, 8MHz | NXP
MPN: MC908GP32CBE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| 10 | $7.85 | $78.50 |
| 100 | $6.4 | $640.00 |
| 500 | $5.2 | $2,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.45 | $4,450.00 |
MC908GP32CBE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (ROM/FLASH), data memory (RAM), and peripherals onto one silicon die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an 8-bit MCU sits inside the microcontroller category, which itself belongs to embedded processors and ultimately to digital ICs. The HC08 architecture is upwardly compatible with the older M68HC05, M14805, and M6805 families, allowing existing firmware to be ported with minimal effort while adding modern peripherals and FLASH in-circuit programmability.
Key features include FLASH program memory allowing in-application reprogramming, a 10-bit PWM module for motor or LED control, an on-chip LVD/POR for robust brown-out recovery, mask-selectable pull-ups on most I/O pins, and a built-in oscillator that eliminates the need for an external crystal in cost-sensitive designs. The device also supports background debug mode (BDM) for non-intrusive in-circuit emulation and flash programming using a single-wire debug interface.
The HC08 core uses a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture with variable-length instructions optimized for code density, allowing the 32KB FLASH to hold substantial application code. Peripherals are memory-mapped, and the integrated SCI (asynchronous UART) and SPI (synchronous full-duplex) provide flexible communication to sensors, displays, and other MCUs. A 16-bit timer interface and the PWM module target timing-critical motor, lighting, and white-goods applications.
Typical applications include appliance controls, HVAC fan and blower drives, simple BLDC or brushed-DC motor control, automotive body electronics, security system panels, and industrial sensor interfaces where 8-bit processing headroom is adequate. The wide 3.0V-5.5V supply range supports both 3.3V and 5V system rails typical in legacy industrial designs.
When designing with the MC908GP32CBE, allocate the BDM pin pair (BKGD/PTA0) carefully to retain in-circuit programming capability in production; a 2x5 header or pogo-pin test pad is recommended. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each supply pin pair and avoid routing high-frequency signals adjacent to the oscillator pins.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory levels, parametric drop-in alternatives within the HC08 family, and practical BDM/debug design notes not consolidated in the original Freescale/NXP datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908GP32CBE — 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 MC908GP32CBE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Supply Voltage, Mounting Type, Core Architecture, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908GP32CFBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908GP32CBE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GP32CBER
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908AP32CBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908GP32CBE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | HC08 |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Architecture | M68HC08 CISC |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| RAM Size | 512 B (512 x 8) |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 31 |
| Connectivity | SCI, SPI |
| Peripherals | LVD, POR, PWM, Timer |
| Package / Case | 42-SDIP (SPDIP, 0.600 in, 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Debug Interface | Background Debug Mode (BDM) |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes |
MC908GP32CBE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IRQ — External interrupt request input |
| Pin 2 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 / BKGD (background debug) |
| Pin 3 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 7 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 / RESET (alt) |
| Pin 8 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 9 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 13 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 14 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 16 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 17 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 18 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 19 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 20 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 21 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 27 | PTD0 — Port D bit 0 / SS (SPI) |
| Pin 28 | PTD1 — Port D bit 1 / MOSI |
| Pin 29 | PTD2 — Port D bit 2 / MISO |
| Pin 30 | PTD3 — Port D bit 3 / SPSCK |
| Pin 31 | PTD4 — Port D bit 4 / TxD (SCI) |
| Pin 32 | PTD5 — Port D bit 5 / RxD (SCI) |
| Pin 33 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | OSC1 — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 36 | OSC2 — Crystal output |
| Pin 37 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 38 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 39 | RST — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 40 | PTE0 — Port E bit 0 / TCLK |
| Pin 41 | PTE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 42 | VREFH — ADC reference high (not bonded on CBE variant) |
Typical Applications
MC908GP32CBE is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods and Appliance Control, HVAC Fan and Blower Drives, Automotive Body Electronics, Security and Alarm Panels, Industrial Sensor Interfaces, Smart Meter and Energy Monitoring.
White Goods and Appliance Control
The MC908GP32CBE's 8 MHz HC08 core, on-chip PWM module, and 31 GPIO pins make it well-suited to white-goods appliance main boards such as washing-machine front panels, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. The wide 3.0V-5.5V supply range accepts unregulated 5V rails fed from rectified mains, while the integrated low-voltage detect and power-on reset ensure deterministic startup after brown-outs common on motor inrush. Designers typically route the SCI port to an HMI sub-board and use the SPI port to drive a character LCD, leaving enough GPIO for key-scan matrices and triac zero-cross inputs. Compared with discrete logic controllers, the FLASH-based design lets vendors ship field-updateable firmware for recall handling and energy-rating compliance.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Blower Drives
HVAC indoor blower controls and variable-speed fan drives benefit from the MC908GP32CBE's PWM output channels and timer-cascade interrupts used to implement commutation tables. The HC08 core's CISC instruction set handles BEMF sampling in software while the integrated 16-bit timer provides accurate zero-cross timing for triac phase-angle control. Because HVAC controls must operate over wide mains disturbances, the device's LVD threshold and internal oscillator (no external crystal) reduce BOM and improve rejection of vibration-related crystal failures. The 512-byte RAM fits a small commutation table plus HVAC state machine without external memory.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Although the CBE suffix denotes industrial temperature, the underlying HC08GP32 silicon is widely deployed in automotive body modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting drivers. The 31 GPIO pins and PWM channels directly drive LED arrays and small brushed motors; the SCI port serves LIN-like half-duplex slave communication to a body controller. Because automotive designs increasingly require CAN, the closely related -CFBE variant is often selected instead - the CBE remains a credible drop-in for non-CAN body nodes. The wide 5V tolerance is compatible with 12V-derived rails filtered through a pre-regulator.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panels
Security alarm panels and PIR sensor aggregators use the MC908GP32CBE for its 31 GPIO which accept many wired zones, its low-power STOP and WAIT modes for battery-backed operation, and its FLASH-based firmware for rapid certification patches. The SPI port expands to a digital potentiometer or EEPROM for tamper log storage, and the SCI port bridges to a GSM or PSTN modem for alarm reporting. The 32KB FLASH comfortably holds a multi-zone state machine with NVRAM-mirrored event buffers, while the watchdog timer (COP) recovers from soft faults caused by EMI on long sensor runs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfaces
Industrial 4-20 mA sensor transmitters, RTD conditioners, and bridge-sensor digitizer boards pair the MC908GP32CBE with external ADC chips via SPI, using the MCU's PWM to drive excitation sources. The HC08 core's deterministic interrupt response makes it suitable for slow but time-sensitive loops such as thermocouple cold-junction compensation in multi-channel data loggers. Because 5V supply rails are standard in legacy plant I/O cards, the MC908GP32CBE's 5.5V absolute-max rating provides comfortable margin against inductive transients when paired with TVS protection.
Recommended
Smart Meter and Energy Monitoring
Single-phase energy-meter front ends and sub-metering modules use the MC908GP32CBE to accumulate pulse counts from metrology ICs and drive segmented LCDs through external charge-pump drivers. The SCI port links the meter to a concentrator or AMR module, while the integrated timers precisely gate energy pulses at low power-line frequencies. The wide supply range lets the MCU run directly from the rectified mains via a capacitive dropper, simplifying isolated or non-isolated meter designs. The 32KB FLASH is more than enough for tariff tables, tamper logs, and TOU calendars.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908GP32CBE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908GP32CFBE | MC68HC908GP32CBE | MC908GP32CBER | MC908AP32CBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 42-SDIP (SPDIP, 0.600 in) | 42-SDIP (same footprint) | 42-SDIP (same footprint) | 42-SDIP (same footprint) | 42-SDIP (same footprint) |
| Core / Architecture | HC08 / M68HC08 CISC, 8-bit | HC08 / M68HC08 CISC, 8-bit | HC08 / M68HC08 CISC, 8-bit | HC08 / M68HC08 CISC, 8-bit | HC08 / M68HC08 CISC, 8-bit (AP motor-control variant) |
| Clock Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Program Memory | 32 KB FLASH | 32 KB FLASH | 32 KB FLASH | 32 KB FLASH | 32 KB FLASH |
| RAM Size | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Connectivity | SCI + SPI | SCI + SPI + MSCAN (CAN 2.0) | SCI + SPI | SCI + SPI | SCI + SPI (plus motor-control timers) |
| I/O Pins | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
| CAN Module | No | Yes (MSCAN) | No | No | No |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Broadly available, second-sourced HC08GP32 silicon (vs MC908GP32CFBE)
- Industrial operating-temperature grade in 42-SDIP (vs MC68HC908GP32CBE)
- True FLASH in-circuit reprogrammability (vs HC08 OTP variants)
Design Notes
The MC908GP32CBE is obsolete - new designs should not start here. The same HC08GP family is available on the aftermarket in NXP, AUSTG, and authorized independent channels such as Veswin and Microchip USA; second-source qualification to Freescale-spec HC08GP32 is required for automotive programs. For new 5V-tolerant industrial designs consider the MC9S08 family (HCS08 core) which offers pin-compatible migration paths and active production lifetime.
Route the BKGD pin (shared with PTA0) to a 2x5 or 1x3 header with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for in-circuit programming. Place the 0.1 uF and 10 uF decoupling pair within 5 mm of pins 11/37 (VDD/VSS) and pins 38/37 (VDD/VSS), keeping the loop area under 50 mm^2. If an external crystal is used, guard the OSC1/OSC2 traces with a ground ring and place the load capacitors within 3 mm of the pins to avoid noise injection into the internal oscillator.
The MC908GP32CBE features three low-power modes - STOP, WAIT, and a HALT-like standby - selectable through the CONFIG register. Average current in WAIT mode drops to ~1 mA at 5V allowing battery-backed designs to extend runtime; STOP mode halts the bus to a few hundred microamps suitable for security-panel quiescent budgets. Estimate standby current from the typical-characteristic curves, since datasheet max values are conservative for an obsolete part.
Compliance Information
Specific RoHS/REACH compliance status for the obsolete CBE variant was not present in the verified web data; NXP's product-discontinuance page should be consulted for legacy declarations. CBE is industrial-temperature but is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose -CFBE family for automotive.
