MC908GR16CFAE - 8-bit HC08 MCU 16KB Flash 48-LQFP | NXP
MPN: MC908GR16CFAE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19.4 | $19.40 |
| 10 | $17.85 | $178.50 |
| 100 | $15.62 | $1,562.00 |
| 500 | $13.4 | $6,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.95 | $11,950.00 |
MC908GR16CFAE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripheral interfaces on one die. Within the MCU taxonomy, the MC908GR16CFAE belongs to the M68HC08 family of microcontrollers, which itself descends from the broader 6800/HC05 lineage of 8-bit CISC processors. The HC08 family was widely adopted for low-cost, high-performance embedded designs and is one tier above 4-bit MCUs but below 16/32-bit architectures such as HCS08, S08, ColdFire, and Kinetis in computational capability.
Key features of the MC908GR16CFAE include 16KB Flash program memory, 1KB on-chip RAM, an internal 8MHz bus, multiple 16-bit timer/PWM channels, a 10-bit ADC, SCI (UART), SPI, and I2C communication interfaces, and 37 GPIO pins. The Flash memory supports in-system programming via a monitor ROM, enabling firmware updates in the field without external programming hardware. The 48-LQFP package provides a generous pin count while remaining easy to assemble on low-cost 2-layer PCBs.
Architecturally, the MC908GR16CFAE uses the CPU08 core, which is fully upward object-code compatible with the earlier M68HC05 family, allowing legacy HC05 firmware to be recompiled and migrated. The CPU08 enhancements include a 16-bit index register, 8-bit page registers for extended addressing, and additional addressing modes. The integrated voltage regulator supports both 5V and 3.3V supply operation, simplifying power design in mixed-voltage systems.
Typical applications for the MC908GR16CFAE include consumer appliances, small home appliances, white goods motor control, simple human-machine interface (HMI) controllers, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and industrial sensor signal conditioning. The wide operating voltage range and robust peripheral set also suit battery chargers, low-end power tools, and remote-control units.
When designing with this part, note that 48-LQFP requires a minimum of 4-layer PCB construction for production volumes; for prototypes and low-volume runs, 2-layer boards are feasible but signal integrity margins shrink. Always consult the NXP datasheet reference manual for the exact peripheral pin mapping because the GR16 sub-family differs from other HC08 variants in timer channel assignments.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908GR16CFAE — 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 MC908GR16CFAE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature Range, Program Memory Size, Package, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908GZ60CFUE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908GZ60MFUE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908AP16CFAE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MC68HC908LJ12CFB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ST72F345C4T6
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GR16CFAE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | CPU08 (M68HC08 family) |
| Bus Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash |
| RAM | 1 KB |
| I/O Pins | 37 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | [DOC: ADC resolution and channel count] |
| Timers | [DOC: timer module count and channels] |
| Communication | SCI (UART), SPI, I2C |
| ROM Type | Flash (in-system programmable) |
MC908GR16CFAE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTD0/TCLK1 — Port D bit 0 / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 2 | PTD1/TCLK2 — Port D bit 1 / Timer 2 clock input |
| Pin 3 | PTD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | PTD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Supply voltage (4.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 8 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 9 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 10 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 11 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 12 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 13 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 14 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 15 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 19 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 20 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 21 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 22 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 23 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | PTC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | PTD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | PTD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 33 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | PTE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 36 | PTE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 37 | PTE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 38 | PTE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 39 | PTE4 — Port E bit 4 |
| Pin 40 | PTE5 — Port E bit 5 |
| Pin 41 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 42 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 43 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 44 | IRQ — External interrupt request |
| Pin 45 | VDD — Supply voltage (4.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 46 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 47 | PTE6 — Port E bit 6 |
| Pin 48 | PTE7 — Port E bit 7 |
Typical Applications
MC908GR16CFAE is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Small Home Appliance HMI Controllers, Battery Charger Control, Remote Control and RF Peripheral Boards.
Consumer Appliance Control
The MC908GR16CFAE's 8-MHz CPU08 core, 16KB Flash, and 37 GPIO pins make it well suited for consumer appliance controllers such as rice cookers, microwave ovens, washing machine sub-modules, and small kitchen electronics. With 16KB of Flash the part can host multi-state cooking profiles, sensor fusion logic, and UI drivers for LED or simple LCD displays. The 5V operating range aligns directly with mains-rectified rails commonly used in white goods after buck regulation. The HC08 instruction set is compact, so even at 8 MHz the core delivers adequate MIPS for proportional-integral control loops, PWM-driven heating elements, and basic keyboard scanning. Compared with more modern ARM Cortex-M0 alternatives, the MC908GR16CFAE has the advantage of long-life NXP/Freescale toolchain maturity, deterministic interrupt latency, and broad second-source availability through authorized aftermarket distributors even after EOL.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
In industrial sensor interfaces and transducer signal conditioning, the MC908GR16CFAE integrates an on-chip ADC, multiple PWM channels, and serial communication interfaces (SCI/UART, SPI, I2C) that handle analog front-end digitisation, linearisation math, and protocol framing in a single chip. The HC08 core's 8-bit accumulator and 16-bit index register support efficient fixed-point math for calibration curve fitting without a floating-point unit. With 1KB of RAM the part holds intermediate samples and small lookup tables, while 16KB of Flash stores calibration constants and protocol stacks. The 5V supply enables direct interface to legacy 5V industrial sensors and 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters. The wide -40C to +85C operating range suits factory floor enclosures. The 48-LQFP package provides 37 GPIO pins, sufficient for parallel LCD drive, button matrices, and relay outputs in a small-form-factor sensor module.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, seat-position memories, and simple HVAC flap drivers, the MC908GR16CFAE provides adequate computational power and GPIO count in a proven HC08 architecture. The 5V supply rail aligns with traditional 12V-bus-regulated body controller domains. Although this device is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it has historically been used in non-safety body applications; safety-critical systems should use the Q1 suffix variants or modern S32K/ColdFire successors. The 48-LQFP package supports up to 37 GPIO pins, sufficient for multi-channel PWM-driven lighting, brushed DC motor drivers via H-bridge FET control, and LIN-bus interfaces via the SCI peripheral plus a LIN transceiver. Per the NXP datasheet, the operating temperature range of -40C to +85C meets typical cabin environments.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance HMI Controllers
The MC908GR16CFAE is a strong fit for small home appliance human-machine interface (HMI) controllers, including coffee machine UI boards, dishwasher control panels, and robotic vacuum peripheral boards. With 37 GPIO pins, the part directly drives 7-segment displays, LED status bars, and 4x4 keypads without external GPIO expanders. The 16KB Flash holds UI state machines, menu navigation logic, and beep-tone PWM patterns. The integrated timer modules generate PWM for backlight dimming and buzzer tones. The 48-LQFP 7x7 mm footprint keeps the controller board small enough to fit behind a touch-panel overlay. Compared with a discrete logic implementation, the HC08 solution reduces BOM count, simplifies firmware updates via in-system Flash programming, and enables feature differentiation through software rather than hardware revisions.
Recommended
Battery Charger Control
For lead-acid or NiMH battery charger controllers, the MC908GR16CFAE provides the ADC channels needed to sense battery voltage and charge current, plus PWM channels to drive a buck converter or synchronous rectifier FET bridge. The 8-MHz CPU08 core executes CC-CV (constant-current constant-voltage) charge profiles, temperature-compensated voltage setpoints, and charge-termination algorithms. The 16KB Flash stores multi-stage charge profiles for different battery chemistries, while the 1KB RAM holds ADC sample buffers and state variables. The 5V supply allows direct connection to the rectified mains bus after a small LDO. The wide -40C to +85C operating range suits garage and outdoor charger installations. For higher-volume or safety-critical lithium-ion chargers, consider migrating to a modern Kinetis or S08 part with on-chip op-amps and enhanced PWM.
Recommended
Remote Control and RF Peripheral Boards
The MC908GR16CFAE integrates SCI (UART), SPI, and I2C peripherals, which makes it straightforward to host simple RF peripheral boards paired with off-the-shelf sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz transceiver modules such as SPI-controlled radios. The 16KB Flash holds basic RF protocol stacks (e.g., simple proprietary or low-overhead standards), while the 1KB RAM buffers packet payloads. The 5V supply and 37 GPIO pins permit direct drive of LEDs, buttons, and a small buzzer for a remote control handset. The 48-LQFP 7x7 mm package supports compact handheld designs. For higher throughput or modern BLE/Zigbee, migrate to Kinetis KW or S32K sub-families; the MC908GR16CFAE remains a viable MCU for legacy proprietary RF links and industrial remote I/O where long-term NXP supply is guaranteed through authorized aftermarket distributors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908GR16CFAE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908GZ60CFUE | MC908GZ60MFUE | MC908AP16CFAE | MC68HC908LJ12CFB | ST72F345C4T6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | STMicroelectronics |
| Core Architecture | CPU08 (HC08) | CPU08 (HC08) | CPU08 (HC08) | CPU08 (HC08) | CPU08 (HC08) | ST7 (ST CISC) |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 60 KB | 60 KB | 16 KB | 12 KB | 16 KB |
| Bus Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 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 | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash memory in same package for code growth headroom (vs MC908GZ60CFUE)
- More ADC channels for sensor-rich applications (vs MC908GZ60MFUE)
- Modern cross-vendor alternative with active lifecycle (vs ST72F345C4T6)
- USB-capable variant within same HC08 family (vs MC68HC908LJ12CFB)
Design Notes
The MC908GR10/GR16/GR8 series are configured for either 3.3V or 5V operation. Decouple VDD/VSS with at least 100nF X7R ceramic plus VDD 10uF tantalum or polymer bulk tantalum; place both caps within 5 mm of the package. If the design routes analog and digital supply separately, the internal voltage regulator is bypassed and a clean external 5V rail must be supplied.
Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric. Avoid routing noisy digital lines (PWM, SCI TX) under or near the crystal traces. Place the 34-LQFP crystal load capacitors within 3 mm of the OSC pins. For EMI-sensitive designs, surround the oscillator network with a ground guard ring tied to VSS at one point.
When migrating from the GR16 to the GZ60 sub-family, the Flash sector size and security byte location differ. Code compiled for GR16 will not run on GZ60 without recompilation. Also, the MON08 debug interface pin assignments differ slightly between sub-families; verify the MON08 connector pinout before reusing a debug probe. EOL notice means NXP will not accept new fab orders, so confirm long-term supply with authorized aftermarket distributors before committing to a redesign.
Compliance Information
EOL status confirmed on NXP product page. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data - marked unknown. Part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications migrate to AEC-Q100 qualified variants such as MC9S08AW32VFGE or MC9S08DZ60ACLF.
