MC9S08QG8CDTE - 8KB Flash 20MHz HCS08 8-bit MCU | NXP
MPN: MC9S08QG8CDTE ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.36 | $336.00 |
| 500 | $2.99 | $1,495.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.65 | $2,650.00 |
MC9S08QG8CDTE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and a configurable set of peripherals into a single chip aimed at cost-sensitive embedded designs. Within the broader taxonomy, the MC9S08QG8 belongs to the HCS08 family of 8-bit microcontrollers, itself a derivative of the long-running HC08 instruction set augmented with the BGND instruction and background debug mode. The S08QG sub-family is the low-cost, low-pin-count tier that retains the HCS08 core while trimming package count and analog feature set, making it an entry-point device for battery-powered and consumer products.
Key features include 8KB of on-chip Flash for code storage, 512 bytes of RAM for working variables, a frequency-locked-loop (FLL) internal clock source with 0.2% trimming resolution and 2% deviation over temperature and voltage, an integrated 8-channel 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for sensor interfaces, and a background debug system (BDS) for non-intrusive in-circuit programming and breakpoints. The HCS08 core delivers up to 20MHz operation, sufficient interrupt latency for digital control loops, and code-density advantages over legacy HC08 designs.
Compared with newer ARM Cortex-M0+ devices, the HCS08 core trades raw throughput for smaller code footprint, lower active current, and a familiar HC08-compatible tool chain. The IC also integrates an internal voltage regulator, a watchdog timer with a dedicated internal oscillator, and up to 12 general-purpose I/O pins with programmable pull-ups, edge-triggered interrupts, and output current drive capability, all of which are exposed on the 16-pin TSSOP pinout.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, remote-control transmitters, battery-powered sensors, LED lighting controllers, and small appliances with a UART or I2C interface to a host controller. Industrial use cases include simple sensor front-ends, panel meters, and small motor-control auxiliary logic that does not require a 32-bit core. The wide 1.8V to 3.6V operating range suits single-cell Li-ion or two-AA battery chemistries in portable designs.
When designing with the MC9S08QG8CDTE, ensure that the supply rail stays within 1.8V to 3.6V during brown-out transients. Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the pin, and configure the FLL reference carefully to balance jitter against current consumption.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, drop-in same-package and cross-brand substitutes, and PCB-level design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select and source this part with confidence.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9S08QG8CDTE — 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 MC9S08QG8CDTE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory Size, RoHS Status, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC9S08QG8CDTER
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08QG44CDTE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC908QC16MDRE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.53 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08QG8CDTE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) |
| Product Family | S08QG (HCS08 low-cost family) |
| Core Architecture | HCS08 (CISC, 8-bit) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (8K x 8) |
| RAM | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Bus Frequency Range | 1 MHz to 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| General-Purpose I/O | 12 GPIOs |
| Package | 16-pin TSSOP (DTE) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Internal Clock Source | FLL-controlled, 0.2% trim resolution, 2% deviation over temp/voltage |
| Debug Interface | Background Debug System (BDS), single breakpoint |
| Instruction Set | HC08 with added BGND instruction |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MC9S08QG8CDTE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | BKGD/MS — Background Debug Mode / Mode Select input |
| Pin 2 | PTA5/TCLK2/IRQ — GPIO PTA5, Timer channel, external interrupt |
| Pin 3 | PTA4/ACMPO — GPIO PTA4, analog comparator output |
| Pin 4 | PTA3/SDA — GPIO PTA3, I2C SDA (alt function) |
| Pin 5 | PTA2/SCL — GPIO PTA2, I2C SCL (alt function) |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | PTA1/ADC1 — GPIO PTA1, ADC analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 9 | PTA0/ADC0 — GPIO PTA0, ADC analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 10 | PTB3/ADC7 — GPIO PTB3, ADC analog input channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | PTB2/ADC6 — GPIO PTB2, ADC analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 12 | PTB1/ADC5 — GPIO PTB1, ADC analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 13 | PTB0/ADC4 — GPIO PTB0, ADC analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 14 | PTA6/ADC3 — GPIO PTA6, ADC analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 15 | PTA7/ADC2 — GPIO PTA7, ADC analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 16 | RESET — External reset input (active low) |
Typical Applications
MC9S08QG8CDTE is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Remote Control, Small Appliance Control Board, LED Lighting Controller, Industrial Sensor Front-End, Consumer White-Goods Display HMI, IoT Sensor Node (Wired, Low-Rate).
Battery-Powered Remote Control
The MC9S08QG8CDTE is well suited to handheld infrared or sub-GHz remote controls because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply directly accepts two-AA or single-cell Li-ion battery chemistries without a boost regulator. The integrated FLL-controlled internal clock source trims to within 2% deviation across -40 C to +85 C, eliminating the external crystal cost on cost-sensitive consumer SKUs. With 8 KB of Flash and 512 bytes of RAM, the HCS08 core comfortably hosts a typical IR RC-5/RC-6 or proprietary protocol stack alongside button-debounce and low-battery detection firmware. The background debug system allows in-the-box firmware updates during manufacturing without exposing debug pins on the production case. Sleep current in the deep-stop mode drops well below typical key-press leakage, supporting multi-year shelf life on alkaline cells.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
In a countertop small appliance such as a kettle, blender, or toaster, the MC9S08QG8CDTE provides the user-interface logic, the timing controls, and the triac/relay drive signals in a single 16-pin TSSOP. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC monitors temperature, water level, or potentiometer inputs for closed-loop control, while the HCS08 timers produce PWM channels for heating elements and motor speed. The wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply tolerates rectified 5 V rails with simple LDO regulation, simplifying BOM cost on appliances that do not need heavy EMC filtering. The Flash memory holds both the application code and factory calibration tables, with the background debug system enabling end-of-line programming and board-level testing. Industrial temperature grade makes the part robust against the elevated ambient found behind appliance enclosures.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The MC9S08QG8CDTE drives constant-current LED drivers and DMX-style dimming protocols in commercial and architectural lighting fixtures. Its 20 MHz HCS08 core and 12 GPIO pins are sufficient to handle PWM dimming, color-mixing logic, and a UART or I2C control link to a master controller. The integrated 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors and thermistor inputs for closed-loop brightness and thermal-foldback control, while the wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply interface accepts a wide variety of driver-side rails. The Flash footprint holds lookup tables for gamma correction and color-temperature compensation, commonly required in tunable-white fixtures. The TSSOP-16 footprint integrates cleanly into the dense PCBs found in driver-on-board LED modules.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-End
The MC9S08QG8CDTE serves as the digital front-end for low-cost industrial sensor modules (temperature, pressure, flow) where the MCU digitizes, linearizes, and transmits sensor data over UART, I2C, or SPI to a host PLC or gateway. The integrated 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples multiple sensor elements with adequate resolution for sub-1% measurements; the HCS08 core executes calibration and linearization in firmware without burdening the host. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply enables direct operation from 24 V loops when paired with a small buck regulator, while the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature rating covers most field enclosures. The background debug mode simplifies field firmware updates through the same connector used for power.
Recommended
Consumer White-Goods Display HMI
In washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, the MC9S08QG8CDTE handles button scanning, 7-segment or LED-matrix display multiplexing, and buzzer/relay drive signals. Its 12 GPIOs are mapped directly to a key matrix plus 4-7 digit 7-segment displays using time-multiplexed outputs, eliminating the need for an external display driver on entry-level SKUs. The 10-bit ADC reads the rotary encoder (potentiometer) for program selection, while the timers produce chime tones without an external oscillator. Flash and RAM are sufficient for menu state machines plus fault-history logging. The TSSOP-16 package keeps the MCU footprint small enough to fit under the display PCB bezel.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Node (Wired, Low-Rate)
The MC9S08QG8CDTE fits wired IoT endpoints such as Modbus-RTU temperature transmitters, BACnet wall sensors, and building-automation keypads that require modest compute, low cost, and industrial reliability. With 8 KB of Flash it can host a Modbus/BACnet stack plus application logic; the integrated ADC handles thermistor, humidity, or CO2-sensor analog front-ends; and the HCS08 UARTs and I2C interface connect to isolation transceivers. The wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply runs from 24 V loops via a small buck regulator. Low active current and a low-power stop mode extend battery life on wireless-attached variants, while the HCS08 background debug system streamlines fleet provisioning.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9S08QG8CDTE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9S08QG8CDTER | MC9S08QG44CDTE | MC9S08QG8CFFE | MC9S08QG84CFFE | MC908QC16MDRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 16-TSSOP (DTE) | 16-TSSOP (DTE) - same | 16-TSSOP (DTE) - same | 16-QFN (FFE) - differs | 16-QFN (FFE) - differs | 16-TSSOP - same package family |
| Core | HCS08 (8-bit CISC) | HCS08 (8-bit CISC) | HCS08 (8-bit CISC) | HCS08 (8-bit CISC) | HCS08 (8-bit CISC) | HC08 (8-bit CISC, older) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB (-50%) | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B (-50%) | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B (-50%) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (wider, not lower) |
| ADC | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- HCS08 core with BGND instruction for compact code footprint vs legacy HC08 (vs MC908QC16MDRE)
- Wider GPIO count and pin count at TSSOP-16 than competing SOP-8 HC08 devices (vs MC9S08QD4CSC)
- Lower minimum supply (1.8 V) compared with older 3 V HC08 MCUs (vs MC908QC16MDRE)
Design Notes
Estimated (input: typical battery impedance and average IC current of ~5 mA active): place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of pin 6 (VDD) and pin 7 (VSS). Add a bulk 1 uF to 4.7 uF ceramic or tantalum if the supply source impedance is above 1 ohm, which is common with long battery leads or lightly regulated 24 V loops. The internal voltage regulator is sensitive to VDD ramp slope - keep the rise time slower than 1 ms to avoid spurious resets during power-up sequencing.
The 16-pin TSSOP (DTE) pad layout requires thermal relief spokes on all TSSOP thermal pads even though pin 7 alone is the primary VSS tie. Route the BKGD/MS line (pin 1) as short and straight as possible, with no stubs and a series resistor near the MCU if the trace exceeds 50 mm. Avoid routing analog ADC traces (PTA0/1, PTB0-3, PTA6/7) parallel to high-speed digital signals; if unavoidable, insert a ground guard trace to minimize crosstalk into the 10-bit ADC result.
Do not exceed VDD of 3.6 V - the absolute maximum rating is 4.0 V but reliability degrades rapidly above 3.6 V. Do not skip configuring the FLL reference and trim registers in firmware - leaving them at defaults causes the bus frequency to drift more than 2% over temperature. Avoid driving PTA7 or PTA6 (which also serve as the ADC reference pins) with high-impedance digital sources; if they must be used as GPIO, disable the ADC reference to prevent substrate noise coupling into ADC measurements.
Estimated (input: 3.3 V supply, 20 MHz CPU, ~7 mA active current): power dissipation in active mode is approximately 23 mW, and in stop mode it falls below 1 uA. The 16-TSSOP package has a thermal resistance (theta JA) of approximately 130 C/W on a standard 2-layer JEDEC test board, so a 23 mW load causes only a 3 C junction rise - well within the -40 C to +85 C industrial rating. No external heatsink or thermal copper pour is required.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed by NXP product page and DigiKey listing. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this part targets consumer and industrial markets. NXP has issued an End-of-Life / Discontinuance notice covering this MPN; last-time-buy orders must be placed before the stated discontinuance date.
