MC9S08QG44CDTE - 8-bit S08QG MCU, 4KB Flash, 20MHz | NXP | 16-TSSOP
MPN: MC9S08QG44CDTE ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.36 | $336.00 |
| 500 | $2.94 | $1,470.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
MC9S08QG44CDTE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer optimized for control-oriented tasks in embedded systems where deterministic behavior, low power consumption, and minimal external component count are more important than raw computational throughput. Within the broader product taxonomy, an 8-bit MCU belongs to the microcontroller category, which sits under microcontrollers and processor ICs in the Integrated Circuits family. The S08 core used in MC9S08QG44CDTE is a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture with a Harvard memory layout, designed by NXP (formerly Freescale) for ultra-low-power and small-footprint applications. Compared with 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 MCUs, an 8-bit S08 part consumes substantially less active current per MHz and has a smaller code footprint for equivalent control functions.
Key features of the MC9S08QG44CDTE include on-chip in-circuit programmable Flash with security lock, an internal clock generator with optional external crystal support, hardware Low-Voltage Detect (LVD), and a robust set of timers. The integrated 10-bit ADC simplifies analog sensor interfacing without external converters. With 12 GPIO arranged across the 16-TSSOP pinout, designers can implement applications such as user-interface nodes, sensor readers, and small motor controllers.
Typical applications for this part include small home appliances, sensor interface modules, LED lighting controllers, remote control units, battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, and consumer electronics sub-systems. The combination of low power, integrated peripherals, and a tiny 16-TSSOP package makes MC9S08QG44CDTE suitable where board real estate, BOM cost, and energy budget are tightly constrained.
When designing with this device, ensure the supply rail is decoupled with a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor close to VDD and VSS, and configure unused pins as outputs to minimize quiescent current. Compared with ARM Cortex-M0+ equivalents, the S08QG platform offers a smaller instruction set, simpler peripheral programming model, and lower per-unit cost in high volume.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes (supply decoupling, ADC input filtering, low-power configuration) beyond what the manufacturer datasheet PDF alone provides, enabling faster sourcing and design decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9S08QG44CDTE — 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 MC9S08QG44CDTE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, Instruction Set, ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC9S08QG4CDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.7576 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08QG8CDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08QG4CDNE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →S9S08SG4E0CTJ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F15324T-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08QG44CDTE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | S08 (8-bit CISC, Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 4 KB (4K x 8) |
| RAM Size | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.3 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x I2C, 1x SCI (UART), 1x SPI |
| Package | 16-TSSOP (0.173 in / 4.40 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Low-Voltage Detect (LVD) | Yes |
| In-Circuit Programming | Yes (Flash, security lock supported) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per NXP product page) |
MC9S08QG44CDTE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTA0/KBI0/ADC0 — GPIO/Touch input/ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | PTA1/KBI1/ADC1 — GPIO/Touch input/ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | PTA2/KBI2/ADC2 — GPIO/Touch input/ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | PTA3/KBI3/ADC3 — GPIO/Touch input/ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 3.3 V) |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 7 | PTA4/TCLK — GPIO/Timer clock input |
| Pin 8 | PTA5/RESET — GPIO or reset input (shared pin) |
| Pin 9 | PTB0/SDA — I2C SDA or GPIO |
| Pin 10 | PTB1/SCL — I2C SCL or GPIO |
| Pin 11 | PTB2/MISO — SPI MISO or GPIO |
| Pin 12 | PTB3/MOSI — SPI MOSI or GPIO |
| Pin 13 | PTB4/SPSCK — SPI clock or GPIO |
| Pin 14 | PTB5/TXD — SCI/UART TXD |
| Pin 15 | PTB6/RXD — SCI/UART RXD |
| Pin 16 | PTB7/EXTAL — GPIO or external crystal input |
Typical Applications
MC9S08QG44CDTE is suitable for 7 applications: Small Home Appliance Control, IoT Sensor Interface Node, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control / Handheld UI, Consumer Toy and Hobby Electronics, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module, Automotive Interior Sub-System (Non-Safety).
Small Home Appliance Control
The MC9S08QG44CDTE fits small home appliance controllers because its 4KB Flash and 20 MHz S08 core deliver sufficient headroom for state machines driving relays, triacs, and PWM-controlled BLDC motors, while the 16-TSSOP package fits behind crowded user-interface boards. The integrated 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads temperature sensors (NTC), humidity sensors, and current-sensing shunts without external converters, slashing BOM cost. The 2.5-3.3 V supply range matches direct battery or AC-DC derived rails common in appliances, and the SCI (UART) port supports debug logging or wireless-module attachment. Designers report typical wall-clock execution of <2 ms per ADC scan cycle in this part, well within mains-frequency zero-cross timing budgets.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Interface Node
Battery-powered IoT sensor nodes benefit from MC9S08QG44CDTE's low active power per MHz and its 16-TSSOP footprint that suits coin-cell enclosures. The 4KB Flash holds a minimal 6LoWPAN/Thread-style stack fragment or a BLE-modem command interface, while the 256B RAM holds <50 sensor samples and a tiny ring buffer. The 10-bit ADC samples analog sensors (LDR, NTC, gas) with 0.4% per-LSB resolution, adequate for environmental telemetry. With unused pins tied to outputs to limit quiescent, this MCU typically draws sub-1 mA active and tens of uA in stop mode, ideal for multi-year battery life.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
MC9S08QG44CDTE drives low-to-mid-power LED luminaires where its PWM-able GPIO and small package fit the form factor. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads ambient-light photodiodes and thermistors for closed-loop brightness and thermal foldback, while the 256B RAM stores fade tables and current dim levels. Compared with higher-end 32-bit MCUs, this part cuts unit cost while keeping CC/CV control loops within the 20 MHz instruction budget. The SCI port allows simple UART-based configuration from a wired commissioning tool or wireless BLE bridge.
Recommended
Remote Control / Handheld UI
Remote control and handheld UI designs use MC9S08QG44CDTE for its tiny footprint, low cost, and integrated ADC for battery-voltage telemetry. The 12 GPIO directly interface matrix keypads or capacitive-touch sense lines, while I2C connects to companion ICs (LED drivers, IR transmitters). With 4KB Flash, designers implement IR/Sub-GHz protocol stacks (RC5, NEC, proprietary) and basic user-feedback routines. The 2.5-3.3 V supply matches direct coin-cell or 2x AA battery rails, and the S08's deterministic interrupt latency ensures sub-millisecond response to user input.
Recommended
Consumer Toy and Hobby Electronics
Hobby-grade quadcopters, RC receivers, and educational STEM kits use MC9S08QG44CDTE where cost dominates over computational headroom. The 20 MHz S08 core runs PID loops at 1 kHz for hobby drone stabilization, with the 10-bit ADC reading 3-axis gyro/accelerometer analog outputs. The I2C and SPI peripherals connect to digital IMUs and radio modules, while UART streams telemetry to a USB bridge. Compared with ARM Cortex-M0+ parts, MC9S08QG44CDTE offers ~40% lower unit cost at qty 1000, fitting strict hobby-market pricing windows.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module
Industrial sensor-conditioning modules accept 4-20 mA or 0-10 V inputs using MC9S08QG44CDTE's 10-bit ADC and serial interfaces to forward processed readings to PLCs or gateways. With 4KB Flash and 256B RAM, the MCU runs digital filtering and linearization routines, returning floating-point-equivalent readings via UART or I2C. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature rating suits factory-floor environments, and the LVD function protects brown-out conditions. For multi-channel conditioning, designers cascade multiple MC9S08QG44CDTE nodes over RS-485 transceivers with the same SCI interface.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Sub-System (Non-Safety)
Non-safety automotive interior sub-systems, such as ambient lighting, cup-holder indicators, and small accessory modules, sometimes use MC9S08QG44CDTE for its compact 16-TSSOP package and acceptable -40 C to +85 C range. Designers use the 10-bit ADC for simple analog inputs (switches, ambient light sensors) and the SCI/I2C interfaces to communicate with cabin-domain controllers. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification is not present on MC9S08QG44CDTE per NXP product documentation; for safety-critical or AEC-Q100-mandated applications, choose an automotive-grade S08 part instead. The part's EMC characteristics suit interior-cabin environments when paired with proper PCB layout.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9S08QG44CDTE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9S08QG4CDTE | MC9S08QG8CDTE | MC9S08QG4CDNE | S9S08SG4E0CTJ | PIC16F15324T-I/JQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-TSSOP | 16-TSSOP (same) | 16-TSSOP (same) | 16-TSSOP (same) | 16-TSSOP (same) | 16-TSSOP (same) |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | S08 (8-bit) | S08 (8-bit) | S08 (8-bit) | S08 (8-bit) | S08 (8-bit) | PIC16 (8-bit) |
| Program Memory | 4 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest unit cost in NXP S08QG 4KB Flash catalog (vs MC9S08QG8CDTE)
- Wider supply-voltage tolerance than 16-TSSOP PIC alternatives (vs PIC16F15324T-I/JQ)
- Industrial-only specifications vs extended-temperature variant (vs MC9S08QG4CDNE)
- S08 instruction-set familiarity vs cross-brand toolchain migration (vs PIC16F15324T-I/JQ)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the MC9S08QG44CDTE VDD pin to suppress switching noise on the internal regulator. For battery-powered designs, source current is typically <1 mA active and sub-50 uA in stop mode with all peripherals disabled, per NXP datasheet guidance. Use the LVD module to generate a brown-out reset when VDD falls below the configured threshold.
Place the 16-TSSOP footprint on a 4.4 mm body-width TSSOP land pattern with 0.65 mm pitch and ~0.4 mm wide pads per JEDEC MO-153 guidelines. Provide a continuous ground plane on layer 2 directly under the MCU and route analog input traces (ADC channels) over this plane, away from digital switching lines. Recommend a 4-layer stack-up (signal / GND / power / signal) for best ADC performance when sampling low-impedance analog sources.
Avoid floating any unused GPIO - configure as outputs driving low (or inputs with internal pull-up enabled) to minimize quiescent current in stop mode. When the ADC is used, ensure acquisition time is configured correctly in the ADCSC2 register; insufficient acquisition time on high-impedance inputs (>= 10 kohm) causes non-linear readings. Note that NXP's S08 core uses a single-wire background debug interface (BDM); plan a 2-pin header for programming access on every prototype board.
For I2C and SPI lines, add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on SDA/SCL even with internal pull-ups enabled, because NXP's weak internal pull-ups are often insufficient for reliable 400 kHz Fast-Mode operation with cables >5 cm. Series-terminate SPI clock with 33 ohm if the SPI bus length exceeds 5 cm or if the bus crosses a connector - this reduces ringing on the SPSCK line. The SCI (UART) lines tolerate slow speeds up to 115200 baud without termination on short PCB traces.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select automotive-grade S08 parts (e.g. S9S08SG4E0MTJ) for in-vehicle safety applications. Lead-free / Halogen-free per JEDEC J-STD-020 MSL classifications.
