MC9S08PA8VGT - 8-bit 20MHz 8KB Flash MCU | NXP TSSOP-16
MPN: MC9S08PA8VGT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
MC9S08PA8VGT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a compact processor that integrates a CPU, memory, timers, communication peripherals, and analog functions onto a single silicon die. In the broader embedded taxonomy, 8-bit MCUs sit below 16-bit and 32-bit devices but above discrete logic in capability, making them well suited for real-time control where cost and power are dominant constraints and raw compute throughput is secondary.
Key features of the MC9S08PA8VGT include 8KB of Flash program memory, 128 bytes of EEPROM, and up to 256 bytes of RAM. The device integrates a 12-channel 10-bit ADC, two analog comparators, three timers, and a multi-purpose PWM module. Low-power Run, Wait, and Stop modes with rapid wake-up time allow the MCU to support battery-friendly sensor interfaces and standby-friendly industrial node designs.
Architecturally, the HCS08L core is a low-power variant of the Freescale/NXP HCS08 family, supporting the S08 instruction set with BDM (Background Debug Mode) and on-chip in-circuit programming for field updates. An integrated 1kHz low-frequency oscillator plus the option of an external crystal provide flexibility for low-power or precision timing designs.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, sensor signal conditioning modules, appliance control panels, remote keyless entry transmitters, and industrial low-power nodes. The wide operating voltage range and AEC-Q100-style qualification path make the MC9S08PA8VGT particularly attractive in automotive subsystems and ruggedized industrial sensors.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the supply decoupling uses a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of each VDD pin, and that unused ADC inputs are tied to a defined voltage to prevent shoot-through. For low-noise analog sampling, configure the ADC clock below 4MHz to maintain data-sheet-grade linearity.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not consolidated in the original NXP datasheet - a practical reference for engineers evaluating or second-sourcing the MC9S08PA8VGT.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9S08PA8VGT — 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 MC9S08PA8VGT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, EEPROM, Core, Core Processor.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC9S08PA8AVTG
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08PA8VTG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08PA4VGT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08PA16VTG
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08PA8VLC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08PA8VGT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | S08 (HCS08L) |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Multiple (MTIM, RTI, FTM) |
| PWM Channels | Up to 6 (via FTM) |
| Communication Peripherals | SCI (UART), SPI, I2C |
| GPIO | Up to 14 (package dependent) |
| Package | TSSOP-16 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C |
| Low-Power Modes | Run, Wait, Stop with rapid wake-up |
| Background Debug Mode (BDM) | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MC9S08PA8VGT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTA0/ADP0 — GPIO PTA0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | PTA1/ADP1 — GPIO PTA1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | PTA2/ADP2 — GPIO PTA2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | PTA3/ADP3 — GPIO PTA3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | PTA4/ADP4 — GPIO PTA4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | PTA5/ADP5 — GPIO PTA5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.7V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | PTB0/TCLK — GPIO PTB0 / Timer clock input |
| Pin 10 | PTB1 — GPIO PTB1 |
| Pin 11 | PTB2 — GPIO PTB2 |
| Pin 12 | PTB3 — GPIO PTB3 |
| Pin 13 | PTB4 — GPIO PTB4 |
| Pin 14 | PTB5/RESET — GPIO PTB5 / Reset input (bidirectional) |
| Pin 15 | PTC0/BKGD — GPIO PTC0 / Background Debug Mode pin |
| Pin 16 | PTC1 — GPIO PTC1 |
Typical Applications
MC9S08PA8VGT is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Appliance Control Panels, Remote Keyless Entry Transmitters, Industrial Low-Power Nodes, Automotive Lighting Modules.
Automotive Body Controllers
The MC9S08PA8VGT's 8-bit HCS08L core and 8KB Flash make it well-suited for automotive body controllers managing simple discrete I/O tasks. Its 2.7V to 5.5V supply tolerance covers 12V automotive rails after pre-regulation. The MCU's 12-channel 10-bit ADC handles multiple analog sensor inputs (temperature, humidity, voltage), while SCI/SPI/I2C peripherals link to body control modules. AEC-Q100-grade reliability path and -40C to +105C operating range ensure stable performance under hood or cabin thermal stress. The 20MHz CPU clock is sufficient for relay control, LED driver sequencing, and LIN slave stacks. For these reasons, the MC9S08PA8VGT is widely deployed in interior lighting modules and seat controllers.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Industrial sensor signal conditioning requires modest CPU throughput, reliable analog front-end, and low-power standby - exactly the MC9S08PA8VGT envelope. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC and two analog comparators support bridge-style sensor signal chains (load cells, pressure transducers, magnetic position). With 20MHz HCS08L core, filter and linearization algorithms run in real-time. The TSSOP-16 footprint fits compact industrial node PCBs, and the SPI peripheral exposes data to upstream PLCs. Low-power Stop mode with rapid wake-up enables multi-year battery deployments. The MCU's wide 2.7-5.5V supply range tolerates unregulated 24V industrial rails after LDO pre-regulation, making it valuable in field-installed sensor nodes.
Recommended
Appliance Control Panels
The MC9S08PA8VGT powers appliance control panels driving LED/LCD user interfaces and discrete actuators. Its 8-bit HCS08L core at 20MHz drives key-scan algorithms, PWM backlight dimming, and buzzer feedback with negligible latency. Six PWM channels from the FTM module control motor direction and dimming simultaneously. SCI/SPI/I2C peripherals expose status to higher-tier main controllers. The TSSOP-16 footprint fits behind a control panel keypad, while the 8KB Flash supports multi-language UI templates. Stop mode with quick wake-up saves standby power when the user is idle, an essential feature for ENERGY STAR-rated appliances in volume production.
Recommended
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitters
The MC9S08PA8VGT's ultra-low-power Stop mode with rapid wake-up suits remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitters that spend most of their life in deep sleep. The 8KB Flash accommodates rolling-code encoder algorithms for both Fixed Code and Keeloq-class security schemes. The 20MHz HCS08L core executes the encryption fast enough that the active window stays below battery drain budgets. The 2.7-5.5V supply range covers CR2032 coin-cell and 12V automotive battery transients. Its TSSOP-16 footprint fits two-layer remote PCBs alongside RF transmitters. For higher-density designs the S08PA16 variant or PIC12-class alternatives are sometimes considered.
Recommended
Industrial Low-Power Nodes
Industrial low-power nodes - remote data loggers, wireless sensor transmitters, smart meters - benefit from the MC9S08PA8VGT's hibernation-friendly Stop mode and BDM-friendly Flash architecture. The 8KB Flash stores up to several hours of buffered telemetry, and the 128-byte EEPROM retains calibration tables across power cycles. The HCS08L core at 20MHz handles Modbus RTU framing and sensor linearization without missing sub-millisecond RTOS deadlines. The 10-bit ADC is sufficient for general-purpose process signal acquisition, while SCI/SPI link to ISM-band transceivers like the NXP MC1490R2 or third-party wireless modules. Combined with the 16-pin TSSOP footprint, the MCU is a common choice in IP65 industrial node designs.
Recommended
Automotive Lighting Modules
The MC9S08PA8VGT is well-suited to interior automotive lighting modules, where it drives RGB LED strings, single-color LED bars, and discrete lamp relays. The 6-channel FTM PWM module provides smooth color mixing and dimming without additional driver ICs. The 10-bit ADC monitors LED string current via shunt resistors, enabling open-circuit and short-circuit detection per FMVSS 108. The -40C to +105C temperature grade handles headliner and door-mounted modules. SCI/SPI interfaces link the module to body control units for ambient lighting commands. The MC9S08PA8VGT's TSSOP-16 footprint fits tight-bezel and trim-mounted PCB geometries. For more demanding LED matrix designs, the S08PA16 doubles Flash and RAM headroom.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9S08PA8VGT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9S08PA8AVTG | MC9S08PA8VTG | MC9S08PA4VGT | MC9S08PA16VTG | MC9S08PA8VLC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-16 | TSSOP-16 - same | TSSOP-16 - same | TSSOP-16 - same | TSSOP-16 - same | TSSOP-16 - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Core | HCS08L (8-bit) | HCS08L (8-bit) | HCS08L (8-bit) | HCS08L (8-bit) | HCS08L (8-bit) | HCS08L (8-bit) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C | -40C to +125C (automotive) | -40C to +105C | -40C to +105C | -40C to +105C | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| ADC Channels | 12 channels / 10-bit | 12 channels / 10-bit | 12 channels / 10-bit | 12 channels / 10-bit | 12 channels / 10-bit | 12 channels / 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to 16KB Flash (vs MC9S08PA16VTG)
- AEC-Q100 qualified twin part available (vs MC9S08PA8AVTG)
- EEPROM retention and Freescale S08 family heritage (vs MC9S08PA8VLC)
- 8KB Flash + 128-byte EEPROM combination (vs MC9S08PA4VGT)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 10uF capacitor within 30mm. The MC9S08PA8VGT internal regulators require low-impedance supply at all load transients, especially during stop-to-run transitions that activate the internal bandgap. Poor decoupling can cause spurious BDM entry or watchdog resets under high PWM load.
Use the Background Debug Mode (BKGD) pin with a 4.7k pull-up to VDD and series resistance as recommended in the NXP reference manual to avoid debugger glitches during in-circuit programming. The BKDG pin is bidirectional and weak internal pull-ups mean external pull-up is required for reliable programming across temperature extremes.
Estimated: at 20MHz core, 5V supply, and 100% GPIO toggle load, the MC9S08PA8VGT TSSOP-16 package (theta_JA approximately 140 C/W on a 2-layer 1sq.in. PCB) dissipates a worst-case ~50mW and rises 7C above ambient. Practical designs rarely approach this worst case because most pins are idle at any given moment, but component spacing of 2mm above adjacent tall caps is recommended for thermal margin.
Do not leave unused ADC inputs floating - tie them to either VDD or VSS through 10k resistors. Floating ADC inputs draw shoot-through current and degrade conversion accuracy on adjacent channels. Also, do not exceed the maximum ADC clock of 4MHz per the datasheet; higher clocks reduce linearity below 10 ENOB.
Keep the crystal/oscillator traces short and routed over a continuous ground plane to minimize EMI. If using the internal 1kHz low-frequency oscillator for Stop wake-up, ensure RTI timing is verified across temperature because the LP oscillator drifts up to +/- 5% over the -40C to +105C range.
Compliance Information
RoHS and Pb-free (lead-free) compliant per NXP product page environmental data; the VGT variant is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose MC9S08PA8AVTG for in-vehicle automotive. Source: NXP product page indexed 2026-10-20.
