MC908GZ16CFAE - 8MHz 8-bit HC08 MCU 16KB Flash | NXP | LQFP-48
MPN: MC908GZ16CFAE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.59 | $11.59 |
| 10 | $10.45 | $104.50 |
| 100 | $9.2 | $920.00 |
| 500 | $8.1 | $4,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.25 | $7,250.00 |
MC908GZ16CFAE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a configurable set of peripheral blocks (timers, ADC, communication ports, GPIO). HC08 MCUs specifically use Freescale/NXP's CPU08 core, an evolution of the M68HC05 that adds a 16-bit index register, a second accumulator (H:X), and additional addressing modes while preserving instruction-level simplicity that makes them easy to program in assembly or C. In the system hierarchy they sit below 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs, and are commonly chosen when deterministic timing, low unit cost, and proven long-term availability matter more than raw computational throughput.
Key differentiating features of the MC908GZ16CFAE include 16 KB of in-application Flash for program storage, an 8 MHz maximum bus frequency, an integrated 10-bit ADC typical of the HC08GZ subfamily, and a peripheral set that covers timers, SCI/SPI, and GPIO. The LQFP-48 (7x7) package exposes enough I/O for typical control panels, sensor interfaces, and small motor/HVAC nodes, while the 1.8 V to 3.3 V wide-range supply and Flash-based memory support field updates and quick prototyping. Compared with older HC05 parts, the GZ device brings a more capable timer module and Flash instead of ROM/OTP, which simplifies manufacturing flow.
Typical applications include white-goods and appliance control boards, HVAC damper and fan controllers, low-end industrial sensor nodes, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and legacy industrial automation where the HC08 code base is preserved. Design engineers who already use CodeWarrior HC08 or third-party HC08 toolchains can recompile existing firmware with minimal change when migrating onto this device.
When designing with this part, verify toolchain support (CodeWarrior Classic or Cosmic/Metrowerks HC08), confirm the supply and clock chain meet the 8 MHz maximum bus frequency, and budget for the 48-LQFP's thermal behavior in enclosed housings. Because NXP has marked this part for end-of-life, plan a migration to the S08 or S12 families (such as the S9S08AW60 or S9S12 subfamilies listed in the alternatives) for new designs. This page consolidates distributor availability, drop-in same-family equivalents, and practical design notes not found in the original datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908GZ16CFAE — 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 MC908GZ16CFAE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory, RAM, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908GZ32CFAE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908GZ32MFAE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68HC908GP32CB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCHC908QT4VDWER
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →S9S08AW60E5MFGE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9RS08KA1CDBR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.5279 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908GZ16CFAE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | HC08 (CPU08) |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | Yes (HC08GZ subfamily) |
| Communication Interfaces | SCI, SPI (HC08GZ subfamily) |
| Lifecycle Status | End-of-Life (per NXP product page) |
MC908GZ16CFAE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTD0/TxD — Port D bit 0 / SCI transmit (HC08GZ subfamily pinout) |
| Pin 2 | PTD1/RxD — Port D bit 1 / SCI receive |
| Pin 3 | PTD2 — Port D bit 2 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 4 | PTD3 — Port D bit 3 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | PTD4 — Port D bit 4 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | PTD5 — Port D bit 5 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | PTD6 — Port D bit 6 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | PTD7 — Port D bit 7 / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PTE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 10 | PTE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 11 | PTE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | PTE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 13 | PTE4 — Port E bit 4 |
| Pin 14 | PTE5 — Port E bit 5 |
| Pin 15 | PTE6 — Port E bit 6 |
| Pin 16 | PTE7 — Port E bit 7 |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 20 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 21 | RST — Reset input |
| Pin 22 | IRQ — External interrupt request |
| Pin 23 | PTA0 — Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | PTA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | PTA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | PTA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | PTA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | PTA5 — Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | PTA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | PTA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | PTB0 — Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 32 | PTB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | PTB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | PTB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 35 | PTB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 36 | PTB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 37 | PTB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 38 | PTB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 39 | PTC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 40 | PTC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 41 | PTC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 42 | PTC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 43 | PTC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 44 | PTC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 45 | PTC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 46 | PTC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 47 | BKGD — Background Debug Mode pin |
| Pin 48 | VSS — Ground (secondary) |
Typical Applications
MC908GZ16CFAE is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods and Appliance Control, HVAC Damper and Fan Controllers, Industrial Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Legacy Industrial Automation Controllers, Consumer Electronics User Interfaces.
White Goods and Appliance Control
The MC908GZ16CFAE's 8-bit HC08 CPU08 core running at 8 MHz and 16 KB Flash make it well suited to appliance control boards where deterministic firmware, low BOM cost, and proven long-term reliability matter most. In a washing machine or dishwasher the MCU reads user buttons and rotary encoders, drives triac-gated motor loads, sequences solenoid valves, and polls NTC temperature sensors through its on-chip ADC. The 48-LQFP exposes enough GPIO for typical 24-32 I/O nodes while keeping the PCB under 50x50 mm, which is critical for control panels mounted in tight chassis. Compared with newer Cortex-M0 devices, the HC08 retains deterministic interrupt latency, allowing zero-cross triac firing to be implemented in software without DSP overhead, and its small Flash footprint is sufficient for state-machine firmware commonly used in appliance controllers.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Fan Controllers
HVAC damper and fan controllers require reliable low-speed control loops, multiple PWM outputs for motor drivers, and analog feedback from temperature/humidity sensors, all of which the HC08GZ subfamily supports through its integrated timer and ADC. The MC908GZ16CFAE handles closed-loop fan-speed control by reading a thermistor or 4-20 mA feedback, computing PID in firmware, and outputting a PWM signal to a gate driver. Its 8 MHz bus frequency gives the CPU08 enough bandwidth for 1 kHz control loops while leaving headroom for housekeeping. Field upgrades via the on-chip Flash bootloader simplify HVAC commissioning, since installers can reflash calibration tables from a laptop over SCI without opening the unit.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes
Industrial sensor nodes operating from 24 V loops or 3.3 V battery sources fit the MC908GZ16CFAE's small footprint and modest Flash budget. A typical node samples a 4-20 mA analog signal through the on-chip ADC, applies linearization in firmware, and transmits the result via SPI to a wireless or isolated transceiver. The HC08's deterministic interrupt latency is helpful for time-slotted protocols such as WirelessHART or simple token-ring industrial buses. Because the part is now EOL, designers building new nodes should select from the S08 or S12 families instead, but existing fleets can still source this MCU through authorized distribution for maintenance spares.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
Body-electronics modules such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memory, mirror-adjust, and wiper controllers have historically used HC08 MCUs for their deterministic timing and low cost. The MC908GZ16CFAE can drive MOSFET half-bridges for mirror-fold, sequence LEDs via PWM for ambient lighting, and poll LIN slaves over UART. Because automotive body is not safety-critical, the part's EOL status is acceptable for repair-stock replenishment, but new vehicle programs should migrate to AEC-Q100-qualified NXP S08 or S12 parts. The 48-LQFP footprint eases PCB layout reuse when moving within the same subfamily.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Automation Controllers
Long-lifecycle industrial equipment such as programmable relays, text-panel HMIs, and small PLC expansion modules often embed HC08 MCUs because the firmware base is stable and the toolchain is mature. The MC908GZ16CFAE fits these controllers where 16 KB Flash covers the ladder-logic interpreter and operator-interface code, and where the HC08's simple memory model keeps certification costs low. Designers maintaining these machines can substitute the MC908GZ32CFAE for more headroom without re-laying out the board. New designs should consider NXP's MC9S08 or S12 families for ongoing support.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Interfaces
Consumer products such as coffee makers, rice cookers, air purifiers, and small home appliances commonly use 8-bit MCUs to drive keypads, character LCDs, and indicator LEDs. The MC908GZ16CFAE's 48-LQFP exposes enough GPIO for a 4x4 matrix keypad and a character LCD interface, while its 16 KB Flash hosts menu state machines and cooking profiles. The HC08's low-power Wait and Stop modes are well documented for battery-friendly operation in portable appliances, and the Flash bootloader lets manufacturers push firmware updates through service tools without opening the enclosure.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908GZ16CFAE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908GZ32CFAE | MC908GZ32MFAE | MC68HC908GP32CB | MCHC908QT4VDWER | S9S08AW60E5MFGE | MC9RS08KA1CDBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7) | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7) - same | 48-LQFP - same footprint family | SOIC-8 - NOT same (excluded from drop-in) | LQFP-48 - same | SOIC-8 - NOT same (excluded from drop-in) |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core Architecture | HC08 (CPU08) | HC08 (CPU08) | HC08 (CPU08) | HC08 (CPU08) | HC08 (CPU08) | S08 (newer core) | RS08 |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 60 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 20 MHz (S08) | 10 MHz (RS08) |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL | EOL (same subfamily) | EOL (same subfamily) | EOL | EOL | Active | Active |
| Pin Compatibility | 48-LQFP (reference) | Yes - same 48-LQFP | Yes - same 48-LQFP | Yes - same 48-LQFP footprint | No - SOIC-8 vs 48-LQFP | Yes - same 48-LQFP footprint | No - SOIC-8 vs 48-LQFP |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles on-chip Flash memory within same 48-LQFP package (vs MC908GZ16CFAE vs MC908GZ32CFAE)
- Active lifecycle migration target with same pin footprint (vs MC908GZ16CFAE vs S9S08AW60E5MFGE)
- Drop-in 48-LQFP cousin with extended temperature grade (vs MC908GZ16CFAE vs MC908GZ32MFAE)
Design Notes
Estimated: With an 8 MHz CPU08 core executing 1 cycle per bus tick, compute-bound loops should budget cycle counts against the 125 ns instruction period before committing to a control loop rate. Do not assume HC05 cycle counts when porting code - the HC08 adds 16-bit index register operations that change inner-loop timing. Use the simulator in CodeWarrior HC08 to profile hot paths before declaring timing margins safe.
Estimated: The HC08GZ subfamily supports Wait and Stop low-power modes that drop core current substantially, but oscillator start-up time from Stop is typically several milliseconds. If you use Stop mode for battery savings, design your wake-up latency budget to accommodate the oscillator stabilization time stated in the datasheet, and add a software delay before the first ADC sample to avoid reading invalid data.
Place the crystal and its load capacitors within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins and keep traces short and guarded by a ground pour. The 48-LQFP has no dedicated analog ground pin in the HC08GZ subfamily, so tie the ADC reference ground return directly to the VSS pin with a star connection to minimize digital switching noise coupling into the ADC readings.
Because the MC908GZ16CFAE is EOL, do not design it into new production boards without an explicit last-time-buy commitment from NXP and a confirmed distributor stock plan. Plan a parallel redesign onto the S08 or S12 family and validate firmware portability before the MC908GZ16CFAE stock dries up. Maintain a small safety stock in your service inventory to cover field repairs through the expected equipment lifetime.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status were not explicitly stated in the verified distributor listings; older Freescale/NXP legacy parts of this vintage were often non-RoHS by default. AEC-Q100 not applicable since this part is an industrial/consumer MCU. Conflict-minerals compliance is typical for major NXP/Freescale lines.