MC908GR8CPE - 8-Bit HC08 MCU, 7.5KB Flash, 28-PDIP | NXP
MPN: MC908GR8CPE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.19 | $6.19 |
| 10 | $5.62 | $56.20 |
| 100 | $4.95 | $495.00 |
| 500 | $4.3 | $2,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.85 | $3,850.00 |
MC908GR8CPE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, volatile RAM, non-volatile program memory, and assorted peripherals (timers, ADC, serial ports, GPIO) in one package. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy it belongs to the microcontroller sub-family of microcontrollers and microprocessors, which themselves sit inside the Integrated Circuits > Microcontrollers category. The HC08 family is Motorola's original CISC 8-bit architecture using an accumulator plus index-register model and a unified 16-bit address space, predating but architecturally related to the later HC(S)08 cores that extended the line into low-power and in-circuit reprogrammable designs.
Key features of the MC908GR8CPE include its 7.5 KB Flash (which is in-circuit programmable on EPP-equipped variants), the integrated 10-channel 8-bit ADC, dual SCI and SPI serial interfaces, a 16-bit timer with two capture/compare channels, and built-in safety features such as COP watchdog and LVI (low-voltage inhibit) reset. The internal oscillator eliminates an external crystal for many designs, reducing BOM cost. The 28-PDIP package also exposes external interrupt lines and keyboard-interrupt wake-up pins, simplifying user-interface designs.
Application fit is anchored in cost-sensitive, brownfield embedded control where an established 8-bit core, ample Flash for state machines, and simple through-hole PCB assembly are valued. The wide 3 V to 5 V operating range, plus the analog and timer peripheral mix, make it well suited to appliance controls, sensor conditioning nodes, simple HMI panels, automotive interior accessories on body-bus systems, and industrial control sub-systems where deterministic, low-bandwidth logic is more important than computational throughput.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908GR8CPE — 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:
MC908GR4CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GR16CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GR8MDWE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GR8CPE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | HC08 (CISC, 8-bit) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7.5 KB (7.5K x 8) |
| RAM | 384 bytes (384 x 8) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz (internal bus) |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc) | 3 V to 5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 17 |
| Package / Case | 28-DIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) PDIP |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| Oscillator Type | Internal |
| ADC | 8-bit, multi-channel (per family datasheet) |
| Serial Interfaces | SCI, SPI (per family datasheet) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial; per spec) |
| Peripherals | Timers, COP watchdog, LVI reset |
| Packaging | Tube |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per NXP product page) |
MC908GR8CPE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IRQ — External interrupt request (with KBI wake-up) |
| Pin 2 | TCLK — Timer clock input |
| Pin 3 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 / timer channel |
| Pin 4 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 5 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 6 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3 V to 5 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 10 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 11 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 12 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 13 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 14 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 15 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 16 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 (ADC channel) |
| Pin 17 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RST — Reset input (active low, with LVI) |
| Pin 25 | TxD — SCI transmit |
| Pin 26 | RxD — SCI receive |
| Pin 27 | MOSI — SPI master out / slave in (EPP) |
| Pin 28 | MISO — SPI master in / slave out (EPP) |
Typical Applications
MC908GR8CPE is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Automotive Body Electronics, Industrial Sensor Interface Nodes, Human-Machine Interface Panels, Power Supply Auxiliary Controllers, Educational and Hobby Platforms.
Appliance Control Boards
The MC908GR8CPE's 7.5 KB Flash, 384 B RAM, and 17 GPIO let it run main-loop state machines for washers, dryers, microwaves, and HVAC controls. The internal oscillator removes the external crystal for cost-sensitive white goods; 8 MHz HC08 throughput is sufficient for keypad scanning, LED multiplexing, and basic PID loops around a triac-driven heater. Compared with HCS08 successors the GR8 keeps the established C toolchain so legacy appliance firmware ports cleanly. The 28-PDIP footprint simplifies through-hole manufacturing lines still common in appliances.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Within non-safety body domains (interior lighting, seat controllers, mirror modules, accessory multiplexers) the MC908GR8CPE fits as an 8-bit controller where AEC-Q100 qualification is not strictly required. It powers PWM-driven LED arrays, key-off load management, and LIN-like sub-network nodes; the on-chip 8-bit ADC reads switch and sensor analog signals. The 3-5 V wide supply tolerance rides vehicle cranking transients when paired with an upstream regulator. Designers targeting newer vehicles should move to the MC9S08 family for active lifecycle and CAN/LIN peripherals.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Nodes
Field-mounted industrial sensors (pressure, level, proximity, simple flow meters) frequently use an 8-bit MCU for analog front-end conditioning plus 4-20 mA or relay output. The MC908GR8CPE's on-chip 8-bit ADC, internal oscillator, and 17 GPIO implement the complete signal chain without external components. Wide 3 V to 5 V operation tolerates industrial 24 V busses when powered through a small switching pre-regulator. The HC08 watchdog and LVI reset harden long-life installations against brown-out lockups.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface Panels
Simple HMI panels (keypads, 7-segment or character-LCD displays) need an MCU that scans keys, drives displays, and talks to a host over UART/SPI. The MC908GR8CPE's GPIO count covers a 4x4 matrix keypad plus LCD bias control, while the SCI/SPI ports connect to the host controller. Existing HC08 firmware examples in the Freescale/NXP application library shorten time-to-market. Field upgrades via EPP Flash programming shorten service calls without removing the panel.
Recommended
Power Supply Auxiliary Controllers
Auxiliary control loops in AC-DC or DC-DC power supplies (fan control, housekeeping rails, fault logging) benefit from the MC908GR8CPE's ADC for voltage/current monitoring and its PWM-capable timers. The wide 3-5 V operating range lets the device run from the housekeeping rail, while the 28-PDIP package eases hand-rework on industrial PSUs. Designers pair it with a dedicated primary-side controller IC to keep isolation paths clean.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Platforms
HC08 training kits and breadboard-friendly 8-bit teaching tools still rely on the MC908GR8CPE as a hands-on platform because of its 28-PDIP form factor and classic CISC register model. The internal oscillator lets students prototype code on a breadboard with no external clock hardware. Legacy IDE support (CodeWarrior HC08) provides a stable teaching environment, and abundant textbook / university lab examples keep the platform relevant for embedded-systems courses.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908GR8CPE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908GR4CPE | MC908GR16CPE | MC908GR8MDWE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-DIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) PDIP | 28-DIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) PDIP | 28-DIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) PDIP | 28-SOIC (surface mount) |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | HC08 (CISC, 8-bit) | HC08 (CISC, 8-bit) | HC08 (CISC, 8-bit) | HC08 (CISC, 8-bit) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7.5 KB | 3.5 KB (-53%) | ~15 KB (~2x) | 7.5 KB (same die) |
| RAM | 384 B | 256 B (-33%) | 512 B (+33%) | 384 B (same die) |
| Maximum Clock | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz (same die) |
| Supply Voltage | 3 V to 5 V | 3 V to 5 V | 3 V to 5 V | 3 V to 5 V |
| GPIO Count | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Lifecycle | NRND / Last Time Buy (as of 2026-10-18) | NRND / Last Time Buy | NRND / Last Time Buy | NRND / Last Time Buy |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-density Flash in the legacy 28-PDIP slot (vs MC908GR4CPE)
- Still produces at authorized stockists despite NRND status (vs MC908GR16CPE)
- Through-hole footprint preserved (vs MC908GR8MDWE)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 7) and VSS (pin 8) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package pins, plus a bulk 1-10 uF electrolytic or tantalum on the supply rail. The HC08's internal LVI issues a clean reset when the supply dips below threshold, but a slow supply ramp may still cause spurious POR behavior - add an RC delay or supervisor if the upstream regulator has soft start. Estimated: VDD supply current is dominated by clock and peripheral activity; the 100 nF cap must handle the high-frequency content of the 8 MHz internal oscillator.
For 28-PDIP designs follow standard through-hole PCB layout: 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) row pitch, 0.6 inch (15.24 mm) row span, pad diameter around 1.5-1.7 mm with annular ring of at least 0.3 mm. Place the IC socket or pin-1 indicator clearly visible; pin 1 of the HC08 28-PDIP is on the left of the notch (component side). Keep ADC traces short and away from the internal oscillator node to avoid mixing digital noise into analog readings. For 28-SOIC surface-mount variants, the GR8MDWE pinout is identical but the SMD footprint differs - verify the land pattern before reusing a PCB.
Do not apply external clock on a pin configured as GPIO without correctly configuring the oscillator option at reset - the HC08 defaults to internal oscillator. When migrating from MC908GR4 (3.5 KB) to MC908GR8 (7.5 KB) verify the linker script matches the new memory map, since the unused region is placed between the lower fixed addresses and the relocated vectors. The EPP programming pins (MOSI/MISO) share GPIO functions; secure them against accidental drive conflicts during Flash programming. Estimated: code-image shrinkage is typically <5% across GR4/GR8/GR16 because all share the same HC08 core and peripheral register map.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page and authorized distributor listings. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive safety or chassis applications use S08 MC9S09-family parts that meet AEC-Q100.
