MCF51QE96CLK - 32-bit ColdFire V1 MCU, 96KB Flash, 50MHz | NXP
MPN: MCF51QE96CLK ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.58 | $9.58 |
| 10 | $8.62 | $86.20 |
| 100 | $7.18 | $718.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.36 | $5,360.00 |
MCF51QE96CLK Overview
Key features include 96KB program Flash, up to 8KB RAM, a 24-channel 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple serial interfaces including SCI, SPI, and I2C, plus a hardware cryptographic acceleration unit (CAU) on select QE derivatives. The ColdFire V1 core delivers 0.94 Dhrystone MIPS per MHz, giving roughly 47 MIPS at peak clock. The 80-LQFP package supports up to 69 general-purpose I/O pins and offers a -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade.
What is a ColdFire V1 microcontroller? The ColdFire V1 is a 32-bit RISC processor architecture developed by Freescale (now NXP) as a low-power, low-cost derivative of the original ColdFire 68k family. It preserves binary compatibility with 68k while simplifying the pipeline and instruction set, making it ideal for cost-sensitive embedded control. Within NXP's controller continuum, the QE family is the Flexis pin-compatible 8-bit/32-bit crossover point: the S08QE devices share the same peripheral set and pinout, allowing designers to start with an 8-bit core and migrate upward without board rework.
The MCF51QE96CLK architecture integrates a memory-mapped Flash controller with security and encryption support, a multi-channel clock generation module with FLL, and a 5-channel flexible timer/PWM unit. The on-chip voltage regulator enables single-supply 2.5V or 3.3V operation while powering the core logic from an internal 1.8V rail, simplifying power-tree design.
Typical applications include industrial control, point-of-sale terminals, security and access panels, HVAC fan controllers, low-end graphical user-interface boards, and home appliance control where the pin-compatibility with the 8-bit S08QE family provides a future-proof upgrade path.
When designing with the MCF51QE96CLK, note that the 80-LQFP requires careful thermal management only at high ambient temperatures - typical MCU power dissipation remains below 200 mW. The FlexMemory region (96KB total) is split between EEPROM-emulation Flash and program Flash; allocate FlexMemory in the linker script to support both block-level EEPROM emulation and program storage. The QSPI/SPI peripheral can boot the device from an external Flash for field-upgradeable firmware scenarios.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, Flexis-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MCF51QE96CLK — 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 MCF51QE96CLK (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Flash Memory, Maximum CPU Frequency, Performance, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCF51QE128CLK
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MCF51QE64CLH
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF51QU128VLHR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCF51QE32CLH
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF51QE96CLK Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 50.33 MHz (above 2.4V), 40 MHz (above 2.1V), 20 MHz (above 1.8V) |
| Program Flash | 96 KB |
| FlexMemory / EEPROM Emulation | 96 KB (shared Flash region) |
| RAM | 8 KB |
| Data Bus Width | 32 bit |
| ADC | 24-channel, 12-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5V / 3.3V (single supply) |
| GPIO Pins | 69 (max) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Performance | 0.94 Dhrystone MIPS/MHz (~47 MIPS at 50 MHz) |
| Series | Flexis MCF51QE |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MCF51QE96CLK Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Primary supply voltage (2.5V/3.3V) |
| Pin 2 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 3 | PTA0/TCLK0 — GPIO A0 / Timer input |
| Pin 4 | PTA1/TCLK1 — GPIO A1 / Timer input |
| Pin 5 | PTA2 — GPIO A2 |
| Pin 6 | PTA3 — GPIO A3 |
| Pin 7 | PTA4 — GPIO A4 |
| Pin 8 | PTA5 — GPIO A5 |
| Pin 9 | PTA6 — GPIO A6 |
| Pin 10 | PTA7 — GPIO A7 |
| Pin 11 | PTB0/AD0 — GPIO B0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 12 | PTB1/AD1 — GPIO B1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 13 | PTB2/AD2 — GPIO B2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 14 | PTB3/AD3 — GPIO B3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 15 | PTB4/AD4 — GPIO B4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 16 | PTB5/AD5 — GPIO B5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 17 | PTB6/AD6 — GPIO B6 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 18 | PTB7/AD7 — GPIO B7 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 19 | PTC0/AD8 — GPIO C0 / ADC channel 8 |
| Pin 20 | PTC1/AD9 — GPIO C1 / ADC channel 9 |
| Pin 21 | PTC2/AD10 — GPIO C2 / ADC channel 10 |
| Pin 22 | PTC3/AD11 — GPIO C3 / ADC channel 11 |
| Pin 23 | PTC4/AD12 — GPIO C4 / ADC channel 12 |
| Pin 24 | PTC5/AD13 — GPIO C5 / ADC channel 13 |
| Pin 25 | PTC6/AD14 — GPIO C6 / ADC channel 14 |
| Pin 26 | PTC7/AD15 — GPIO C7 / ADC channel 15 |
| Pin 27 | PTD0/AD16/SDA — GPIO D0 / ADC / I2C SDA |
| Pin 28 | PTD1/AD17/SCL — GPIO D1 / ADC / I2C SCL |
| Pin 29 | PTD2/AD18 — GPIO D2 / ADC channel 18 |
| Pin 30 | PTD3/AD19 — GPIO D3 / ADC channel 19 |
| Pin 31 | PTD4/AD20 — GPIO D4 / ADC channel 20 |
| Pin 32 | PTD5/AD21 — GPIO D5 / ADC channel 21 |
| Pin 33 | PTD6/AD22 — GPIO D6 / ADC channel 22 |
| Pin 34 | PTD7/AD23 — GPIO D7 / ADC channel 23 |
| Pin 35 | PTE0/TXD1 — GPIO E0 / SCI1 TX |
| Pin 36 | PTE1/RXD1 — GPIO E1 / SCI1 RX |
| Pin 37 | PTE2 — GPIO E2 |
| Pin 38 | PTE3 — GPIO E3 |
| Pin 39 | PTE4 — GPIO E4 |
| Pin 40 | PTE5 — GPIO E5 |
| Pin 41 | PTE6 — GPIO E6 |
| Pin 42 | PTE7 — GPIO E7 |
| Pin 43 | PTF0/SS — GPIO F0 / SPI SS |
| Pin 44 | PTF1/MISO — GPIO F1 / SPI MISO |
| Pin 45 | PTF2/MOSI — GPIO F2 / SPI MOSI |
| Pin 46 | PTF3/SPSCK — GPIO F3 / SPI clock |
| Pin 47 | PTF4 — GPIO F4 |
| Pin 48 | PTF5 — GPIO F5 |
| Pin 49 | PTF6 — GPIO F6 |
| Pin 50 | PTF7 — GPIO F7 |
| Pin 51 | PTG0 — GPIO G0 |
| Pin 52 | PTG1 — GPIO G1 |
| Pin 53 | PTG2 — GPIO G2 |
| Pin 54 | PTG3 — GPIO G3 |
| Pin 55 | PTG4 — GPIO G4 |
| Pin 56 | PTG5 — GPIO G5 |
| Pin 57 | PTG6 — GPIO G6 |
| Pin 58 | PTG7 — GPIO G7 |
| Pin 59 | PTH0 — GPIO H0 |
| Pin 60 | PTH1 — GPIO H1 |
| Pin 61 | PTH2 — GPIO H2 |
| Pin 62 | PTH3 — GPIO H3 |
| Pin 63 | PTH4 — GPIO H4 |
| Pin 64 | PTH5 — GPIO H5 |
| Pin 65 | PTH6 — GPIO H6 |
| Pin 66 | PTH7 — GPIO H7 |
| Pin 67 | PTI0 — GPIO I0 |
| Pin 68 | PTI1 — GPIO I1 |
| Pin 69 | PTI2 — GPIO I2 |
| Pin 70 | PTI3 — GPIO I3 |
| Pin 71 | PTI4 — GPIO I4 |
| Pin 72 | PTI5 — GPIO I5 |
| Pin 73 | PTI6 — GPIO I6 |
| Pin 74 | RESET — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 75 | IRQ — External interrupt request |
| Pin 76 | MODC — Mode selection |
| Pin 77 | VDDA — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 78 | VSSA — Analog ground |
| Pin 79 | VREFH — ADC high reference |
| Pin 80 | VREFL — ADC low reference |
Typical Applications
MCF51QE96CLK is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control PLC, HVAC Fan and Pump Controller, Point-of-Sale Terminal, Home Appliance Control Board, Security and Access Control Panel, Low-End Graphical User Interface, Portable Medical Monitor.
Industrial Control PLC
The MCF51QE96CLK fits small-form-factor industrial PLCs and remote I/O modules because its 24-channel 12-bit ADC samples multiple analog sensors simultaneously at up to 1 MSPS aggregate, and the ColdFire V1 core at 50.33 MHz executes ladder-logic and PID control loops with deterministic timing. The 96KB Flash stores ladder programs plus boot firmware, while the 96KB FlexMemory emulates EEPROM for non-volatile setpoint retention through power cycles. Operating temperature of -40C to +85C meets industrial cabinet requirements without derating.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Pump Controller
Variable-speed HVAC fan and pump controllers benefit from the MCF51QE96CLK's five flexible timer/PWM channels, which drive three-phase IGBT bridges directly via optocouplers, and the 24-channel ADC that monitors motor current, supply voltage, and NTC temperature sensors. The Flexis QE family operates on a single 3.3V supply, simplifying the analog front-end and reducing BOM cost versus dual-supply MCUs. Designers can prototype with the 8-bit S08QE on the same PCB and migrate to the 32-bit ColdFire for advanced sensorless control algorithms.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
Compact point-of-sale (POS) terminals and payment dongles leverage the MCF51QE96CLK's hardware cryptographic acceleration, SPI/SCI/I2C interfaces for magstripe and NFC readers, and 96KB Flash for transaction protocols (EMV, ISO 7816). The on-chip voltage regulator eliminates the need for an external 1.8V LDO, reducing board area, while the ColdFire V1 core processes encrypted packets in real time without offloading to a secure element. Industrial temperature grade ensures reliable operation in kiosk enclosures.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
Washing machines, dishwashers, and induction cooktops integrate the MCF51QE96CLK as the main control MCU because its 24-channel ADC reads multiple temperature and current sensors simultaneously, while the five PWM timers drive motor inverters and heating elements. The 80-LQFP package offers 69 GPIO for segmented LCDs, button matrices, and relay drivers, eliminating the need for I/O expanders. Pin compatibility with the 8-bit S08QE lets low-cost models use the S08QE while premium models use the ColdFire V1 on the same PCB artwork.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panel
Alarm keypads, RFID access readers, and intrusion-detection panels rely on the MCF51QE96CLK's low power consumption, hardware AES support in selected derivatives, and SCI/SPI interfaces for GSM/GPRS modems. The 96KB Flash stores event logs and zone descriptors in non-volatile memory, while the 8KB RAM supports real-time keypad scanning and tamper-switch monitoring. The -40C to +85C range suits outdoor cabinets and unheated vestibules.
Recommended
Low-End Graphical User Interface
Appliance front panels and small industrial HMIs use the MCF51QE96CLK to drive 320x240 TFT or segment LCD displays via SPI, with the ColdFire V1 core rendering button widgets, menus, and progress bars in real time. The 96KB Flash accommodates LVGL or emWin graphical stacks plus application code, while the 8KB RAM acts as a framebuffer for partial screen updates. Designers can scale UI complexity without changing MCU family.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitor
Portable medical monitoring devices such as pulse oximeters and digital thermometers use the MCF51QE96CLK's low-power ColdFire V1 core, 12-bit ADC for sensor signal conditioning, and 96KB Flash for calibration tables. The 80-LQFP package supports battery-powered operation from a single 3.3V rail with efficient sleep modes, extending runtime. Industrial temperature rating covers refrigerated transport and clinical environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCF51QE96CLK — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCF51QE128CLK | MCF51QE64CLH | MCF51QU128VLHR | MCF51QE32CLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 80-LQFP (14x14) | 80-LQFP (14x14) - same | 80-LQFP (14x14) - same | 80-LQFP - same family | 80-LQFP (14x14) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Program Flash | 96 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 32 KB |
| CPU Core | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) + USB | ColdFire V1 (32-bit) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 50.33 MHz | 50.33 MHz | 50.33 MHz | 50.33 MHz | 50.33 MHz |
| RAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| ADC Channels | 24 channels, 12-bit | 24 channels, 12-bit | 24 channels, 12-bit | 24 channels, 12-bit | 24 channels, 12-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5V / 3.3V | 2.5V / 3.3V | 2.5V / 3.3V | 2.5V / 3.3V | 2.5V / 3.3V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| USB Support | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS) | No |
Key Differentiators
- Flexis pin-compatibility with 8-bit S08QE family (vs MCF51QE128CLK)
- 96 KB FlexMemory for EEPROM emulation (vs MCF51QE64CLH)
- Higher GPIO count in 80-LQFP package (vs MCF51QE32CLH (smaller variants in 64-LQFP))
Design Notes
The MCF51QE96CLK integrates a 1.8V internal voltage regulator powered by a single 2.5V or 3.3V external supply. Place a 4.7uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1) and a 0.1uF ceramic on VDDA (pin 77). The internal regulator cannot drive external loads - do not use it as a 1.8V source for other ICs. Estimated: at 50 MHz with all peripherals active, core current draw is approximately 30 mA, so the regulator dissipates (3.3V-1.8V) x 30mA = 45 mW internally.
Route the analog VREFH and VREFL pins with wide traces and guard rings to minimize ADC noise pickup. Place the 0.1uF VREFH bypass capacitor within 5 mm of the pin. The ADC can resolve 12 bits reliably only if the analog ground VSSA (pin 78) is tied to the main ground plane with a single-point connection near the MCU, not daisy-chained across the PCB. Maintain analog trace impedance below 50 ohm by keeping ground plane intact beneath analog signals.
Do not exceed 3.6V on any VDD/VDDA pin - the absolute maximum is 4.0V with permanent damage above that. The FlexMemory region (96 KB total) must be split between program Flash and EEPROM emulation in the linker script; failing to define the partition leaves undefined startup behavior. The MODC pin (pin 76) must be tied to VSS for normal single-chip mode or to VDD for background-debug-mode entry - leaving it floating causes erratic reset behavior.
The SPI peripheral (PTF0-PTF3) supports up to 25 MHz in master mode with appropriate pull-ups on SS. For SPI slaves longer than 50 mm of trace, add 33 ohm series termination at the MCU end to suppress ringing. The I2C pins (PTD0/PTD1) require external 4.7 kohm pull-ups to VDD - the internal weak pull-ups are insufficient for reliable 400 kHz Fast-Mode operation.
Typical MCU power dissipation is below 200 mW at 50 MHz across the industrial temperature range, so thermal management is not critical for the 80-LQFP package. However, in sealed enclosures with no airflow, the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA approximately 45 C/W for 80-LQFP on a 4-layer JEDEC test board) yields a 9C rise above ambient at 200 mW - well within the 125C junction limit. For extreme-ambient applications above 70C, derate clock frequency or enable peripherals selectively.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose Kinetis E or S32K series for automotive-grade applications. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C.
