MCZ33290EF - ISO K Line Serial Link Interface IC | NXP
MPN: MCZ33290EF ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.4 | $3.40 |
| 10 | $2.92 | $29.20 |
| 100 | $2.34 | $234.00 |
| 500 | $1.95 | $975.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
MCZ33290EF Overview
An ISO K Line Serial Link Interface is a single-wire, half-duplex physical-layer transceiver that conforms to ISO 9141 and ISO 14230 (Keyword Protocol 2000). It sits between the ECU's UART-style logic and the vehicle's diagnostic bus, providing the dominant-bit arbitration, over-temperature protection, and bus-fault tolerance that raw CMOS logic cannot deliver on the harsh 12 V automotive bus. The MCZ33290EF implements the bus-side driver plus the receive path with internal slew-rate shaping, allowing baud-rate operation compatible with K Line and L Line diagnostic protocols that are mandatory on many European-market vehicles built before the universal adoption of CAN-based OBD-II.
Key features include compliance with the ISO 9141 diagnostic standard, integrated over-temperature protection, an internal voltage regulator for the ECU-side interface, and ESD protection on the bus pin suitable for the automotive 12 V power-line environment. The quiescent current is held low enough that battery-drain during key-off diagnostics is minimized. The 8-SOIC footprint is a mainstream surface-mount package that simplifies layout for ECU modules with existing K Line mezzanine sites.
Architecturally, the MCZ33290EF combines a K Line physical-layer transmitter, a receive comparator, internal logic-level translation, and thermal shutdown in a single die. The device operates as a bus master or bus slave, with internal loop-back and fault flags that simplify ECU software development for OBD-II service routines. Compared with discrete implementations built from a LIN transceiver and external protection, the MCZ33290EF consolidates the function into a single qualified block that has been deployed in volume automotive production.
Typical applications include ISO 9141 K Line transceivers for on-board diagnostics (OBD-II), ECU service-mode diagnostic links, vehicle-immobilizer and body-control communication, and aftermarket diagnostic-tool interfaces. Within an ECU module, the part sits on the boundary between the 5 V microcontroller domain and the 12 V vehicle battery bus, providing both drive capability and bus-side protection.
When designing with this part, verify that the ECU microcontroller UART baud rate and timing match the K Line specification for the target market (10417 bps for ISO 9141-2 and ISO 14230-4). Add a series resistor and reverse-polarity protection on the bus pin to meet service-bay short-circuit requirements, and confirm adequate decoupling on VCC to suppress load-dump transients.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MCZ33290EF — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCZ33290EFR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC33660
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCZ33290EG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCZ33290EFR2G
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCZ33990EFR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCZ33290EF Specifications
| Function | ISO K Line Serial Link Interface |
| Interface Protocol | ISO 9141 K Line |
| Communication Mode | Bi-directional half-duplex |
| Supply Voltage | 8 V to 18 V |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Automotive |
| Package | 8-SOIC (0.154 inch, 3.90 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Pins | 8 |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| ESD Protection | Bus pin ESD protection (automotive grade) |
| Over-temperature Protection | Integrated thermal shutdown |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Lead Free Status | Lead Free |
| RoHS Status | RoHS compliant |
| Primary Application Domain | Automotive on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) |
MCZ33290EF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TXD — Transmit data input from microcontroller UART (logic-level) |
| Pin 2 | VCC — Supply voltage (8 V to 18 V) |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 4 | RXD — Receive data output to microcontroller UART (logic-level) |
| Pin 5 | [DATA_NEEDED: pin 5 function] — Per datasheet pinout map; verify against MC33290 datasheet PDF |
| Pin 6 | K Line Bus — Bus-side K Line single-wire I/O; ISO 9141 bus pin |
| Pin 7 | [DATA_NEEDED: pin 7 function] — Per datasheet pinout map; verify against MC33290 datasheet PDF |
| Pin 8 | [DATA_NEEDED: pin 8 function] — Per datasheet pinout map; verify against MC33290 datasheet PDF |
Typical Applications
MCZ33290EF is suitable for 6 applications: OBD-II K Line Diagnostic Interface, ECU Service-Mode Diagnostic Link, Vehicle Immobilizer / Body Control Communication, Aftermarket Diagnostic Tool Interface, Industrial Serial Single-Wire Links, Automotive Fleet Telematics Gateways.
OBD-II K Line Diagnostic Interface
The MCZ33290EF is purpose-built for ISO 9141 K Line diagnostic links between the ECU and external scan tools used in OBD-II service. Its 8 V to 18 V supply matches the 12 V automotive battery envelope and its bi-directional half-duplex drive supports the 10417 bps baud rate required by ISO 14230-4 (KWP2000). Placed between the 5 V microcontroller UART and the bus pin, the part provides slew-rate-controlled bus drive, bus-fault tolerance, and internal thermal shutdown. Compared with discrete implementations built from a CAN or LIN transceiver plus TVS diodes, the MCZ33290EF consolidates all ISO 9141 physical-layer functions into a single qualified 8-SOIC block.
Recommended
ECU Service-Mode Diagnostic Link
Inside the ECU module, the MCZ33290EF provides the service-mode diagnostic port for factory end-of-line test and dealer-level service routines. The device converts 5 V CMOS UART levels from the microcontroller into the bus-side 12 V K Line drive waveform specified by ISO 9141-2, with internal pull-up and slew-rate shaping on the bus pin. Engineers pair this part with a microcontroller running ISO 14230-4 firmware to implement KWP2000 service-mode access. The 8-SOIC footprint slots into existing ECU mezzanine sites that were designed for the part during its original automotive qualification, avoiding PCB rework.
Recommended
Vehicle Immobilizer / Body Control Communication
Beyond OBD-II, the MCZ33290EF is also deployed in body-control modules and immobilizer systems that use the K Line for transponder-key authentication and module-to-module diagnostics. The half-duplex single-wire protocol with dominant-bit arbitration fits the legacy European immobilizer stacks that pre-date CAN widespread adoption. The automotive temperature grade and integrated thermal shutdown allow the part to sit inside the cabin or under-dash module without additional cooling. Compared with LIN transceivers, K Line offers comparable wiring simplicity but with different arbitration semantics - the MCZ33290EF is the appropriate transceiver where the host firmware is written for ISO 9141 framing rather than LIN.
Recommended
Aftermarket Diagnostic Tool Interface
Aftermarket OBD-II scan tools, code readers, and dealer-level diagnostic testers use the MCZ33290EF (or its drop-in replacement MC33660) as the host-side K Line transceiver that talks back to the vehicle's ECU. The wide 8 V to 18 V supply range allows the tool to power the interface from the vehicle's diagnostic-link connector (DLC) without additional regulation, and the automotive-grade ESD robustness on the bus pin survives repeated plug-and-unplug events in service bays. The 8-SOIC surface-mount package enables compact handheld tool form factors. Engineers should pair the part with a series resistor and reverse-polarity TVS on the bus pin per the typical application circuit in the NXP datasheet.
Recommended
Industrial Serial Single-Wire Links
Outside of automotive, the MCZ33290EF's single-wire half-duplex interface can be reused for industrial sensor networks and embedded diagnostic links where CAN or RS-485 are overkill but a robust single-wire bus with arbitration is needed. The 8 V to 18 V supply tolerates long cable drops and noisy factory environments, while the integrated thermal shutdown protects against short-circuit faults in field wiring. Compared with a discrete UART transceiver plus external protection, the MCZ33290EF delivers automotive-grade robustness in a single 8-SOIC package, suitable for industrial PLC diagnostic ports and embedded service interfaces in harsh environments.
Recommended
Automotive Fleet Telematics Gateways
Fleet telematics gateways and insurance dongles that connect to the vehicle's diagnostic link connector must bridge ISO 9141 K Line vehicles and CAN-only fleet backhauls. The MCZ33290EF provides the K Line physical layer in such gateways, allowing legacy European-market vehicles to feed diagnostic and emissions data into a telematics unit that exposes CAN, Bluetooth, or LTE connectivity upstream. The 8-SOIC footprint simplifies multi-protocol gateway designs that combine K Line, CAN, and LIN transceivers on a single PCB. Compared with the NXP TJA1051 CAN transceiver used for the same gateway's CAN side, the MCZ33290EF satisfies the ISO 9141 portion of the multi-standard OBD-II service contract.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCZ33290EF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCZ33290EFR2 | MC33660 | MCZ33290EG | MCZ33990EFR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 8-SOIC (3.90 mm width) | 8-SOIC (3.90 mm width) - same | SOIC-8 / SMARTMOS-8 - same footprint | 8-SOIC (3.90 mm width) - same | 8-SOIC N (T/R) - same |
| Function | ISO K Line Serial Link Interface | ISO K Line Serial Link Interface | ISO K Line Serial Link Interface (SMARTMOS-8) | ISO K Line Serial Link Interface | ISO Serial Link Interface (different protocol) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 8 V to 18 V | 8 V to 18 V | 8 V to 18 V | 8 V to 18 V | 9 V to 16 V |
| Communication Mode | Half-duplex, bi-directional | Half-duplex, bi-directional | Half-duplex, bi-directional | Half-duplex, bi-directional | Half-duplex, bi-directional |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive | Automotive | Automotive | Automotive | Automotive |
| Packaging | Tube | Tape and Reel (TR) | Tube and T/R variants | Bulk/RoHS variant | Tape and Reel (TR) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (NXP cross-reference replacement) | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| RoHS / Lead-Free | RoHS compliant / Lead Free | RoHS compliant / Lead Free | RoHS compliant / Lead Free | RoHS compliant / Lead Free | RoHS compliant / Lead Free |
Key Differentiators
- Documented pin-compatible successor available (vs MC33660)
- Wide 8 V to 18 V supply range (vs MCZ33990EFR2)
- ISO 9141 K Line dedicated function (vs TJA1042 CAN transceiver)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VCC=12 V and a typical K Line bus load, the MCZ33290EF draws a few mA of quiescent current. Add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor close to the VCC pin plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the vehicle-side supply rail to suppress load-dump transients. For an automotive 12 V bus, follow the NXP datasheet's typical application circuit which places a series resistor (typically 510 ohm) and a TVS diode (e.g., 18 V SMBJ) between the bus pin and the K Line connector to survive load-dump and reverse-battery events.
Place the VCC decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of pin 2, keep the GND return path short, and route the K Line bus trace as a 50 ohm controlled-impedance single-ended microstrip where possible. The 8-SOIC package has a thermal pad under the part that should be soldered to an exposed copper pour on the PCB to improve thermal dissipation during sustained bus short-circuit events. Isolate the bus-side trace from the digital TXD/RXD lines on adjacent layers with a ground plane to prevent switching noise from coupling into the receive path.
Do not assume the MCZ33290EF can replace a CAN or LIN transceiver - it is ISO 9141 K Line only and will not decode CAN frames. Verify the host microcontroller UART baud rate matches the K Line specification (typically 10417 bps for ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4); mismatched timing will fail the ISO five-baud initialization handshake. Do not omit the external series resistor on the bus pin, as direct bus-pin shorts to battery or ground will exceed the part's thermal shutdown threshold repeatedly and degrade the die over time. Finally, do not parallel MCZ33290EF and MC33660 on the same bus during multi-vendor fleet qualification - choose one source for the entire build to avoid ISO layer compatibility questions.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant and lead-free per DigiKey/Mouser parametric data; the part is automotive-grade but AEC-Q100 specific qualification status is not separately published in distributor data, so aec_q100 is set to not_applicable pending datasheet verification. Manufacturers note this part is now obsolete with NXP recommending the MC33660 cross-reference.
