MC908QC16MDRE - 8-bit HC08 MCU 16KB Flash | NXP
MPN: MC908QC16MDRE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30.66 | $30.66 |
| 10 | $29.13 | $291.30 |
| 100 | $27.59 | $2,759.00 |
| 500 | $26.06 | $13,030.00 |
| 1,000 | $24.53 | $24,530.00 |
MC908QC16MDRE Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals such as timers and I/O ports on one silicon die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, an MCU belongs to the broader classes of embedded processor, integrated circuit, and semiconductor device. The M68HC08 family is a low-cost, high-performance 8-bit family built on a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) architecture with a Von Neumann memory map, where program and data share a single address space.
Key features of the MC908QC16 include 16KB of on-chip FLASH program memory (in-system erasable and programmable), an enhanced M68HC08 central processor unit, and the low-cost positioning of the HC08Q subfamily. The 'M' suffix in the ordering code indicates a Pb-free (lead-free) assembly, confirmed by Mouser's listing as '8BIT MCU 16KFLASH PBFREE'. The 28-TSSOP package provides a compact 4.40 mm body width suitable for dense surface-mount boards.
Technically, the device is part of the HC08Q Family, a member of the M68HC08 Family of 8-bit microcontroller units. The CISC Von Neumann architecture allows efficient code density, and the FLASH memory enables field updates and rapid development iterations compared with one-time-programmable ROM or OTP alternatives of the era.
Typical applications for HC08Q-class MCUs include small appliance control, automotive body electronics subfunctions, low-cost industrial sensing nodes, and consumer product user interfaces where an 8-bit core, modest 16KB code space, and 8 MHz execution are sufficient.
A key design consideration is lifecycle sourcing: this device is a mature Freescale-era part now supported primarily by NXP legacy channels and authorized after-market distributors such as Rochester Electronics, so new designs should verify long-term availability and consider flash-compatible successors early.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing unique value for sourcing and redesign decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908QC16MDRE — 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 MC908QC16MDRE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, RoHS Status, ADC, Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908QC32MDRE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QC24MDRE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QC8MDRE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QC16MDRE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | HC08 (M68HC08 CISC) |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 16KB (16K x 8) |
| Architecture | CISC, Von Neumann |
| Product Family | HC08 HC08Q Family |
| Package | 28-TSSOP (0.173 in, 4.40 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead Free Status | Pb-free (per ordering suffix M) |
MC908QC16MDRE 28-tssop (0.173 in, 4.40 mm width) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC908QC16MDRE (28-tssop (0.173 in, 4.40 mm width) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for MC908QC16MDRE.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC908QC16MDRE is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Panels, Low-Cost Industrial Sensing Nodes, Automotive Body Sub-Functions, Consumer Product User Interfaces, Legacy Product Sustaining and Repair, Embedded Systems Education and Prototyping.
Appliance Control Panels
The MC908QC16MDRE fits appliance control panels where a modest 8 MHz HC08 core and 16KB FLASH cover button scanning, LED or segment display driving, and simple control state machines. The 28-TSSOP package at 4.40 mm body width suits compact two-layer control PCBs, and the FLASH memory supports firmware updates during appliance model revisions without changing the mask ROM. Its Pb-free 'M' assembly meets lead-free manufacturing requirements for consumer appliances. Designers should budget the 16KB code space carefully for feature-rich UI firmware, since the part is fixed at 16K x 8 and offers no expansion - the pin-compatible QC32 variant provides headroom where scope creep is likely.
Recommended
Low-Cost Industrial Sensing Nodes
In industrial sensing nodes, the MC908QC16MDRE handles signal conditioning state machines, threshold detection, and simple serial reporting where an 8-bit 8 MHz core is sufficient and cost dominates. The HC08 CISC core gives good code density for compact firmware, and 16KB FLASH allows algorithm iterations and field updates over the product life. The 28-TSSOP surface-mount package suits dense multi-node boards on DIN-rail carriers. Because the part is end-of-life, industrial buyers should verify current stock via Rochester Electronics or secure last-time-buy quantities, or design the pin-compatible QC24/QC32 footprint with dual-source placement options to mitigate future supply risk.
Recommended
Automotive Body Sub-Functions
HC08Q-class MCUs have historically served automotive body sub-functions such as seat position memory, mirror control, and lighting logic, where the 16KB FLASH and deterministic 8-bit core meet the requirement without software complexity of 32-bit devices. The Pb-free MC908QC16MDRE variant supports lead-free automotive assembly processes, and the small 28-TSSOP footprint enables placement inside actuators and switch packs. For automotive programs still sustaining HC08-based modules, the pin-compatible QC32 provides firmware headroom for added diagnostics. Note that specific automotive qualification grades must be confirmed against the exact ordering code and PPAP documentation - do not assume Q-grade status from the family alone.
Recommended
Consumer Product User Interfaces
Consumer products - coffee makers, fans, chargers, small displays - use HC08Q MCUs for user-interface logic: key debouncing, LED indication, simple PWM, and low-rate serial links. The MC908QC16MDRE's 16KB FLASH supports polished multi-mode UI firmware, and the 8 MHz HC08 core delivers adequate responsiveness for these tasks at 8-bit economics. The Pb-free assembly satisfies consumer-market environmental requirements, and the compact TSSOP-28 fits small housing-constrained PCBs. Since consumer volumes are high and the part is EOL, OEMs should map the pin-compatible QC8/QC24/QC32 family as an in-firmware migration path and qualify footprints that accept multiple flash densities for supply flexibility.
Recommended
Legacy Product Sustaining and Repair
A primary current use of the MC908QC16MDRE is sustaining engineering: replacing failed MCUs in installed-base equipment, servicing spare-parts inventories, and reproducing discontinued modules. Rochester Electronics, the authorized after-market manufacturer, produces the part to original Freescale specifications, giving repair organizations a legitimate sourcing channel confirmed in DigiKey listings. The 16KB FLASH allows reflashing service firmware during board repair. Repair depots should stock QC16 alongside its pin-compatible QC24/QC32 siblings, since footprint equivalence lets a single repair procedure cover multiple board revisions with only a firmware and BOM change.
Recommended
Embedded Systems Education and Prototyping
The HC08 family remains useful for teaching 8-bit embedded fundamentals: the CISC Von Neumann architecture, direct register-level peripheral programming, and in-circuit FLASH reprogramming illustrate concepts without modern abstraction layers. The MC908QC16MDRE's 16KB FLASH supports iterative lab exercises, and inexpensive after-market stock keeps lab kit costs low. Universities and training labs maintaining HC08 course material can use the pin-compatible QC8/QC24/QC32 spread to teach memory-budget trade-offs on identical hardware. New curriculum development should instead target actively-manufactured parts, reserving HC08Q devices for courses with existing courseware and toolchain investment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908QC16MDRE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908QC32MDRE | MC908QC24MDRE | MC908QC8MDRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-TSSOP | 28-TSSOP - same | 28-TSSOP - same | 28-TSSOP - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) |
| FLASH Program Memory | 16KB (16K x 8) | 32KB | 24KB | 8KB |
| Core / Architecture | HC08, 8-bit CISC Von Neumann | HC08, 8-bit CISC Von Neumann | HC08, 8-bit CISC Von Neumann | HC08, 8-bit CISC Von Neumann |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Code Compatibility | HC08 family baseline | Runs QC16 code unchanged (superset) | Runs QC16 code unchanged (superset) | Runs QC16 code only if it fits in 8KB |
| Pb-Free Assembly | Yes (M suffix) | Yes (M suffix) | Yes (M suffix) | Yes (M suffix) |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL - after-market (Rochester) | EOL - after-market (Rochester) | EOL - after-market (Rochester) | EOL - after-market (Rochester) |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-range FLASH density within the pin-compatible HC08Q 28-pin family (vs MC908QC8MDRE)
- Cost-optimized code space for mature designs (vs MC908QC32MDRE)
- Pb-free assembly on a legacy platform (vs MC908QC16CDRE-style leaded variants)
Design Notes
The MC908QC16MDRE is a legacy Freescale part supported through Rochester Electronics after-market channels, not standard NXP production. Never assume first-line distributor stock exists: check the Rochester listing on DigiKey (which shows 'ships today' but from after-market stock) and Octopart's 2-distributor pool before committing to a BOM. For long-lived products, perform a formal last-time-buy analysis - Estimated: even 3-5 years of service inventory is typically safer than relying on fragmented after-market supply for an EOL MCU.
The 28-TSSOP (0.173 in / 4.40 mm width) land pattern is shared across the HC08Q 28-pin family (QC8/QC16/QC24/QC32). Lay out the PCB to accept any flash density in the family so firmware growth or sourcing shifts require only a BOM change, not a respin. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor immediately at the VDD pin and keep the oscillator traces short and guarded. Follow the HC08Q Family datasheet pin connections chapter rather than generic TSSOP-28 footprints, since port multiplexing is family-specific.
Design the supply for the HC08Q family operating range specified in the datasheet electrical characteristics table for this exact ordering code - do not copy voltage limits from other HC08 subfamilies. Add a proper power-on reset: either an external supervisor IC or the datasheet-recommended RC network on the reset pin, because HC08 MCUs can enter indeterminate states during slow-rising supplies. In noisy industrial or automotive environments, add bulk capacitance and reverse-polarity protection upstream of the regulator.
Compliance Information
Pb-free assembly confirmed by Mouser listing ('8BIT MCU 16KFLASH PBFREE') and the 'M' ordering-code suffix. Formal RoHS/REACH certificate status must be requested from NXP or Rochester Electronics for the specific shipment.
