MC9S08QG8CPBE - 8KB Flash 8-bit HCS08 MCU | NXP | DIP-16
MPN: MC9S08QG8CPBE ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.46 | $34.60 |
| 100 | $3.07 | $307.00 |
| 500 | $2.77 | $1,385.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.46 | $2,460.00 |
MC9S08QG8CPBE Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip processor that integrates CPU, Flash program memory, RAM, and peripherals. The HCS08 core used in the MC9S08QG8 is the enhanced successor to the legacy HC08 core; it adds the BGND instruction and a more efficient instruction pipeline while keeping object-code compatibility. Within the broader taxonomy, the HCS08 sits below the HCS12/ColdFire 16-bit and ARM Cortex-M 32-bit families, and above simple 4-bit controllers. The S08QG sub-family is positioned by NXP as a low-power, small-package line for battery-powered products.
Key features of the MC9S08QG8CPBE include single-wire background debug, low-voltage detect (LVD), 20 MHz internal bus from a trimmed internal clock reference, and a low-power STOP/ WAIT mode set. According to the manufacturer datasheet, the device supports in-circuit programming and a single hardware breakpoint for real-time debug, allowing engineers to step through code without removing the part from the board. The 8 KB Flash is divided into an 8 KB main block, suitable for small protocol stacks or sensor-fusion firmware.
Typical applications for the MC9S08QG8CPBE include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-cost remote controls, white-goods user-interface boards, and simple motor-control signal conditioning. The wide operating voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) makes it a natural fit for 2xAA / 1xCR2032 cell topologies, while the small 16-pin PDIP footprint supports hand-soldered prototypes and breadboard-based development. Designers should consider the device when total BOM cost and quiescent current dominate the decision more than raw CPU throughput.
When laying out a board for this MCU, place the 0.1 uF VDD decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the supply pin and keep the RESET pull-up trace short. Avoid routing high-current switching signals adjacent to the ADC input pins to prevent crosstalk; use the dedicated AVSS / AVDD pair if analog accuracy is required. For firmware development, CodeWarrior IDE and the PE micro / P&E Multilink debugger are the canonical tool chain.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9S08QG8CPBE — 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 MC9S08QG8CPBE (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, ADC, Instruction Set, Lifecycle Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC9S08QG8MPBE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9S08QG8CFFE
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MC9S08SH8CPJ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08AW60CPBE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08GT60CPBE
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9S08QG8CPBE Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | HCS08 (8-bit) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Flash | 8 KB (8K x 8) |
| RAM | 512 B |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12-channel |
| Timers | 2 (TPM1, TPM2) |
| Serial Interfaces | SCI (UART), IIC (I2C) |
| Package | 16-pin PDIP (PBE), 7.62 mm row spacing |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Debug Interface | Background Debug (single-wire) + single hardware breakpoint |
| Low-Voltage Detect | Yes (LVD with reset) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life, not moisture sensitive) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MC9S08QG8CPBE Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Power supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | PTA5/IRQ/TCLK — General I/O / external interrupt / timer clock |
| Pin 3 | PTA4/RESET — General I/O / active-low reset (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | PTA3/ADC3 — General I/O / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | PTA2/ADC2 — General I/O / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 6 | PTA1/ADC1 — General I/O / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 7 | PTA0/ADC0 — General I/O / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | PTB7/SCL — General I/O / IIC clock |
| Pin 10 | PTB6/SDA — General I/O / IIC data |
| Pin 11 | PTB5/TxD — General I/O / SCI transmit |
| Pin 12 | PTB4/RxD — General I/O / SCI receive |
| Pin 13 | PTB3/ADP3 — General I/O / ADC channel 11 |
| Pin 14 | PTB2/ADP2 — General I/O / ADC channel 10 |
| Pin 15 | PTB1/ADP1 — General I/O / ADC channel 9 |
| Pin 16 | BKGD — Background debug / mode entry |
Typical Applications
MC9S08QG8CPBE is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, White-Goods User Interface, Low-Cost Remote Control, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Educational / Hobby Electronics, Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-Q1).
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The MC9S08QG8CPBE fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply matches two-cell alkaline or a single Li-primary cell directly. With 8 KB Flash and 512 B RAM, the MCU can host a small sensor-fusion routine and a low-power RF driver; the HCS08 core at 20 MHz executes typical 10-200 Hz sensor sampling loops comfortably. Designers should place the part in STOP mode between samples - quiescent current drops to single-digit microamps - and use the on-chip 10-bit ADC for battery monitoring. Compared with 32-bit Cortex-M alternatives, the QG8CPBE cuts BOM cost while still supporting standard IIC/SCI peripherals.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interface
For washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave oven control panels, the MC9S08QG8CPBE provides enough GPIO for 7-segment LED drives, key-scan matrices, and rotary encoders. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC handles analog front-panel inputs such as humidity sensors or potentiometer references, and the SCI/IIC peripherals interface to the main appliance controller board. The 16-pin PDIP through-hole package is friendly to wave-soldered white-goods production lines. Designers should budget one timer for the buzzer PWM and a second for the LED multiplexing duty cycle, keeping the firmware architecture simple.
Recommended
Low-Cost Remote Control
The MC9S08QG8CPBE is well-matched to handheld IR/RF remote controls because its 8 KB Flash can hold a manufacturer-ID plus key-code map, while the 6 GPIO pins drive up to a 3x4 keypad matrix with diodes. The single-wire background debug interface allows production-line firmware updates without removing the MCU, an important cost-saving on field returns. Designers can use one timer for the IR carrier PWM (typically 36-38 kHz) and the SCI peripheral to communicate with the base station. Operating at 3 V from two AA cells, the device runs for years on alkaline chemistry in standby.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The MC9S08QG8CPBE serves 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters and simple industrial sensor-conditioning boards. The wide operating temperature (-40C to +85C) covers most factory environments, and the on-chip 10-bit ADC digitizes thermocouple/bridge outputs after external amplification. The IIC bus communicates with external EEPROM for calibration data, while the SCI connects to a wired HART modem. The HCS08 BGND debug interface supports in-circuit firmware updates during commissioning, reducing field-service cost. Designers should add external ESD protection on the I/O pins exposed to industrial bus connectors.
Recommended
Educational / Hobby Electronics
The MC9S08QG8CPBE in 16-pin PDIP is an excellent teaching MCU because it fits into standard 0.1 inch breadboards and accepts 3.3 V directly from common USB-UART adapters. With 8 KB Flash, students can program meaningful projects - line-following robots, temperature loggers, and simple games - while the on-chip hardware debug supports real-time single-stepping. The low cost per unit makes it viable for classroom kits of dozens of boards. Instructors can use the P&E Multilink or open-source HCS08 gdb front-ends, and migrate students to the active MC9S08SH8 family once supply stabilizes.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-Q1)
Pre-AEC-Q100 automotive subsystems - rear-view mirror controllers, seat-heater modules, and interior lighting - historically use 8-bit MCUs like the MC9S08QG8CPBE for cost reasons. The 16-pin PDIP package supports through-hole assembly on legacy production lines, and the 6 GPIO pins are sufficient for switch inputs and PWM outputs. Note that the standard CPBE part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 requirements, NXP designates specific part numbers in the S08QG family or migrates designers to the S08 automotive-qualified S08SF family.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9S08QG8CPBE — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9S08QG8MPBE | MC9S08QG8CFFE | MC9S08SH8CPJ | MC9S08AW60CPBE | MC9S08GT60CPBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PDIP-16 (PBE) | PDIP-16 (PBE) - same | PDIP-16 (PBE) - same | PDIP-16 (PBE) - same | PDIP-16 (PBE) - same | PDIP-16 (PBE) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz | HCS08 8-bit, 20 MHz |
| Program Flash | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 60 KB | 60 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 2 KB | 4 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 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 +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Through-hole PDIP-16 package for breadboard-friendly prototyping (vs MC9S08QG8CFQE (QFP-16 surface-mount))
- Single-wire background debug with one hardware breakpoint (vs MC9S08SH8CPJ (JTAG-style debug))
- Active-lifecycle successor available in same footprint (vs MC9S08SH8CPJ (active lifecycle))
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin, and add a bulk 1-10 uF electrolytic or tantalum cap on the same rail. The MC9S08QG8CPBE draws single-digit microamps in STOP mode; ensure your LDO has low Iq (< 5 uA) or the part will dominate the standby budget. For battery applications, route the LVD reset to wake the MCU when battery voltage recovers above the threshold.
Keep the 16-pin PDIP footprint on a 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) grid with through-hole pads sized for hand-soldering. Route the RESET pull-up (typically 10 kohm) directly between the RESET pin and VDD; long traces here pick up noise and cause spurious resets. Place a series resistor (typically 10 kohm) on the BKGD line if it leaves the board to prevent ESD damage to the on-chip debug module.
If using the on-chip 10-bit ADC, route analog and digital grounds as separate nets and join them at a single point near the MCU VSS pin. Add a small RC filter (1 kohm + 100 nF) on each ADC input pin to attenuate switching noise from digital I/O. The VREF pin (if used) should be bypassed with 100 nF + 1 uF; voltage reference noise directly couples into ADC accuracy.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 3.6 V - applying 5 V will damage Flash. Always configure the SOPT1 register to disable the COP watchdog in development builds, or your firmware will reset every 32 ms. When migrating firmware from HC08 to HCS08, verify BGND usage; the HCS08 BGND instruction is not present on legacy HC08 silicon and tools will silently fail.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; the standard CPBE part targets consumer/industrial applications. Halogen-free per NXP declaration.
