MC908QY8CDTE - 8-bit HC08 MCU, 8KB Flash, 16-TSSOP | NXP
MPN: MC908QY8CDTE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.5 | $6.50 |
| 10 | $5.85 | $58.50 |
| 100 | $5.2 | $520.00 |
| 500 | $4.65 | $2,325.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.1 | $4,100.00 |
MC908QY8CDTE Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), working memory (RAM), and programmable I/O peripherals. The 8-bit HC08 family is a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture widely used in cost-sensitive, deterministic embedded designs such as appliance controls, sensor interfaces, and battery-powered edge nodes. Within the broader taxonomy, the HC08 belongs to the microcontroller hierarchy, which itself falls under microcontrollers and processors, embedded controllers, and ultimately semiconductors.
Key features of the MC908QY8CDTE include 8KB of embedded Flash for firmware storage, 256 bytes of SRAM for stack and data, an 8MHz internal bus with external oscillator option, 13 general-purpose I/O lines, brown-out reset, low-voltage detection, and an on-chip in-circuit debug (ICD) interface for non-intrusive programming. The wide 3.3V/5V supply range simplifies integration with both 3.3V and 5V peripherals, eliminating the need for external level shifters in mixed-voltage designs.
The HC08 core executes the CISC instruction set with a typical 1-cycle instruction throughput, providing predictable timing for interrupt-driven and time-critical loops. The integrated Flash supports in-application reprogramming, allowing field firmware updates through the SCI or IIC peripherals without removing the IC. The on-chip debug module enables breakpoints, single-stepping, and register inspection via a single-wire background debug interface.
Typical applications include white goods (washing machines, microwave ovens), industrial sensors, motor control for small BLDC drivers, remote controls, security keypads, and low-end automotive body modules. The 13 I/O pins and small TSSOP-16 footprint fit designs where board area is at a premium and the application does not require large memory or advanced peripherals.
When designing with this part, allocate adequate decoupling (100 nF + 10 uF bulk) near the VDD pin, and keep the oscillator traces short and guarded by a ground ring. Designers should also budget for the mandatory external reset circuit and ESD protection on user-accessible I/O pins, as the HC08 has limited built-in ESD cells compared with newer MCUs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Engineers comparing this part with PIC16F and ATtiny equivalents will find the HC08's CISC efficiency and 5V tolerance valuable in legacy system designs.
Drop-in alternatives for MC908QY8CDTE — 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 MC908QY8CDTE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Packaging, Core, Maximum Clock Frequency, Number of I/O, Operating Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC908QC8CDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908QY8CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QY8VDTE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC908QC16MDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908QY8CDTE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | HC08 CISC 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 8 KB (8K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes (256 x 8) |
| Number of I/O | 13 |
| Bus Speed | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Package / Case | 16-TSSOP (0.173, 4.40 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, inferred from part suffix) |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Process Technology | CMOS HC08 |
MC908QY8CDTE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IRQ — External interrupt request input |
| Pin 2 | OSC1 — Oscillator input or external clock |
| Pin 3 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V/5V) |
| Pin 6 | PTA0 — General-purpose I/O / timer channel |
| Pin 7 | PTA1 — General-purpose I/O / timer channel |
| Pin 8 | PTA2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PTA3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 10 | PTA4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 11 | PTB0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 12 | PTB1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 13 | PTB2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | PTB3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 15 | PTB4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | RST — Reset input (active low) |
Typical Applications
MC908QY8CDTE is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Remote Control and Keypad Entry, Small BLDC Motor Control Boards, Security Keypads and Access Panels, Automotive Body Control Modules.
White Goods Appliance Control
The MC908QY8CDTE suits washing machine, microwave oven, and dishwasher control boards where 13 I/O lines are sufficient for keypad, LED, and relay multiplexing. The 8KB Flash capacity fits state-machine firmware for wash cycles, sensor debouncing, and PID temperature loops, while 256 bytes of RAM covers runtime variables and short ring buffers for serial diagnostics. Operating from 3.3V to 5V, the device interfaces directly with legacy 5V triac drive optocouplers without additional level translation, simplifying the BOM and PCB. The TSSOP-16 footprint keeps the controller footprint under 25 mm squared, valuable inside sealed appliance enclosures where space is constrained. The HC08 CISC architecture delivers deterministic interrupt latency required for triac zero-crossing control and motor soft-start routines.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
The MC908QY8CDTE acts as a front-end controller for 4-20 mA loop-powered or 0-10 V sensor transmitters, where its 8MHz bus executes averaging and linearisation routines in real time. The 13 I/O lines accommodate SPI or SCI links to upstream PLCs alongside local status LEDs and calibration inputs. Wide 3.3V to 5V supply tolerance simplifies integration with industrial 24V-rail-derived supplies when paired with a simple linear regulator (such as a NCP1117 or LP2985). The HC08 CISC EEPROM-emulation routines in Flash support field calibration log retention, while the on-chip debug interface shortens firmware iteration cycles during sensor characterisation.
Recommended
Remote Control and Keypad Entry
The MC908QY8CDTE fits IR remote controls and PIN-entry keypads thanks to its low pin count and HC08 CISC deterministic response. With 8KB Flash, the device can hold IR protocol libraries (RC5, NEC, SIRC) or rolling-code authentication tables for security keypads. The 256-byte RAM supports rolling-code counters and short-lived cryptographic scratch variables without overflow. Brown-out reset and low-voltage detection prevent corrupted code execution when batteries deplete, a critical feature in battery-powered remotes. The TSSOP-16 package lets designers fit the MCU on slim keypad PCBs that slide into wall plates.
Recommended
Small BLDC Motor Control Boards
Where a 1-A three-phase BLDC needs basic six-step commutation on a compact board, the MC908QY8CDTE delivers enough compute for back-EMF sensing and PWM generation while keeping the BOM small. The 13 I/O pins split into three high-side PWM channels, three low-side enables, one tachometer input, and three status LEDs. 8KB Flash fits the commutation lookup tables and ramp-up profiles, while 256-byte RAM covers per-cycle variables. The HC08 core's deterministic interrupt response enables reliable back-EMF zero-cross detection across the 10-30 kHz PWM range.
Recommended
Security Keypads and Access Panels
The MC908QY8CDTE powers PIN-code and RFID-tag-based security keypads where 13 I/O lines scan a 4x4 matrix plus status indicators and a buzzer. 8KB Flash holds rolling-code authentication tables and event logs, while the on-chip debug interface lets installers update firmware in the field. Wide 3.3V to 5V supply tolerance is compatible with both battery-powered wireless keypads and 12V-supplied wired panels once stepped down with a simple regulator. Deterministic HC08 interrupt latency ensures consistent debounce and tamper-detection response.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Modules
Although obsolete for new automotive designs, the MC908QY8CDTE remains in legacy body-control modules such as interior lighting, seat controllers, and mirror adjusters where determinism and 5V tolerance matter. The 8-bit HC08 CISC core provides predictable interrupt response for CAN or LIN bus messages, while 256 bytes RAM handles message buffers and state variables. Designers replacing worn units should plan a forward migration path to a modern S32K or STM8 because long-term NXP/Freescale stock cannot be guaranteed.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC908QY8CDTE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC908QC8CDTE | MC908QY8CPE | MC908QY8VDTE | MC908QC16MDTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-TSSOP | 16-TSSOP - same | 16-TSSOP - same | 16-TSSOP - same | 16-TSSOP - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Program Memory | 8 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Bus Speed | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V |
| Number of I/O | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Core Architecture | HC08 CISC | HC08 CISC | HC08 CISC | HC08 CISC | HC08 CISC |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip single-wire BDM debug interface (vs MC908QC16MDTE)
- 8KB Flash with 256-byte RAM HC08 CISC core (vs MC908QC16MDTE)
- Wide 3.3V to 5V supply tolerance (vs MC908QY8VDTE)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 5) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same node. The HC08 is sensitive to supply droop during Flash programming; insufficient decoupling causes Flash verify failures and unreliable in-application reprogramming. For 5V designs, add a series ferrite bead to suppress noise from upstream switching regulators that share the 5V rail.
Route OSC1 (pin 2) and OSC2 (pin 3) traces as a short, ground-guarded differential pair to limit EMI pickup. Keep digital switching traces (PWM, SCI) at least 3 mm away from the oscillator section to prevent jitter on the system clock. If the design uses an external crystal, place the load capacitors within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 with traces short and symmetric.
Do not exceed 5.5V on VDD or apply reverse polarity, as the HC08 lacks internal reverse-battery protection common in newer MCUs. The RST pin (pin 16) requires an external pull-up and, for noisy environments, a 10 nF capacitor to ground to filter spurious resets. Always confirm Flash erase/write timing against the manufacturer datasheet before reducing watchdog timeouts below the Flash programming window.
Estimated: with 13 I/O lines switching simultaneously, expect ground-bounce transients up to 0.4V on a poorly-decoupled board, which can corrupt ADC readings or trigger false interrupts. Add a ground pour under the MCU body and stitch vias around the TSSOP-16 perimeter every 5 mm to maintain a low-impedance return path for high-di/dt loads.
Compliance Information
MC908QY8CDTE datasheet predates modern RoHS/REACH declarations from NXP/Freescale for legacy parts. Compliance status should be confirmed against the manufacturer datasheet or via distributor compliance letters before shipping to RoHS-restricted markets. Not AEC-Q100 qualified because automotive-grade Q suffix parts (e.g., MC908QY8ACPE) carry the explicit automotive qualification.
