NXP Semiconductors M68LC302CAF16VCT

Overview

M68LC302CAF16VCT from Freescale is a low-cost integrated multiprotocol processor featuring a static 68000 core, dual serial communication controllers (SCCs), three timers including watchdog and periodic interrupt timer (PIT), 1152-byte on-chip dual-port RAM, and 4 programmable chip-select lines. It operates at 16.67 MHz, supports 3.3 V supply, and targets space- and power-constrained embedded systems such as PCMCIA cards and portable industrial controllers.

For engineers reviewing the M68LC302CAF16VCT datasheet, M68LC302CAF16VCT pinout, M68LC302CAF16VCT application, or M68LC302CAF16VCT equivalent, key selection considerations include its 100-pin TQFP package, absence of SCC3, glueless memory interface via WEH/WEL/OE, PLL support for 32 kHz or 4 MHz crystals, and dual wake-up pin capability in low-power standby mode.

Technical Context

The M68LC302CAF16VCT implements a static 68000 CPU core with full 16-bit/8-bit system bus compatibility and supports boot in 8-bit mode followed by runtime switch to 16-bit mode. Its System Integration Block (SIB) integrates interrupt controller (two operation modes), parallel I/O ports with interrupt capability, and four SDMA channels - distinct from the single general-purpose DMA channel in the MC68302.

It features an on-chip PLL enabling clock generation from either 32 kHz or 4 MHz crystal inputs, with dedicated XFC, VCCSYN, and GNDSYN pins. The device retains CPU disable (slave) mode but removes external bus arbitration signals (BG/BGACK/BR), limiting external bus mastership except in slave mode where those pins are remapped.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 100-pin TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Pack), 14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, lead-free and RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar integrated multiprotocol processor applications.

Compared with MC68302RC20 and MC68EC000FN16, the M68LC302CAF16VCT delivers optimal balance of serial protocol support, low-power operation, and compact footprint - ideal for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications that require exactly two SCCs and no external bus mastering.

Availability

M68LC302CAF16VCT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial telemetry gateways, PCMCIA modem cards, and portable data terminals requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for M68LC302CAF16VCT includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) was a leading designer of embedded processors, analog, and mixed-signal ICs for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The MC68LC302 product line was developed as a cost-optimized, low-power evolution of the MC68302 IMP family - targeting portable, space-constrained, and battery-operated embedded systems requiring dual serial protocol engines and deterministic timing.

FAQ

What is the core architecture and operating voltage of the M68LC302CAF16VCT?

The M68LC302CAF16VCT features a static 68000 CPU core operating at 16.67 MHz with a nominal 3.3 V supply (±0.3 V). This static design enables zero-wait-state execution and supports low-power standby modes - a key distinction from the dynamic-core MC68302. The 3.3 V requirement simplifies power delivery and reduces thermal load compared to 5 V variants.

Does the M68LC302CAF16VCT support all three serial communication controllers like the MC68302?

No, the M68LC302CAF16VCT omits SCC3 and its associated baud rate generator (BRG3), retaining only SCC1 and SCC2. This reduction enabled the pin count decrease from 132 (MC68302) to 100 and contributed to the lower cost and smaller TQFP package. Applications requiring three independent serial channels must use the MC68302 or alternative solutions.

How does the M68LC302CAF16VCT achieve low-power operation?

The M68LC302CAF16VCT achieves low-power operation through multiple mechanisms: a static 68000 core eliminating dynamic power, dedicated low-power (standby) modes activated via DISCPU, wake-up capability from two GPIO pins or the periodic interrupt timer (PIT), and an on-chip PLL that accepts low-frequency 32 kHz crystals - significantly reducing system-level power consumption.

What memory resources are integrated on the M68LC302CAF16VCT?

The M68LC302CAF16VCT integrates 1152 bytes of on-chip dual-port RAM, accessible simultaneously by the CPU and peripherals without contention. It does not include ROM or Flash; external memory is connected via four programmable chip-select lines (CS0–CS3) and glueless WEH/WEL/OE controls - supporting EPROM, SRAM, Flash EPROM, and EEPROM without additional logic.

Is the M68LC302CAF16VCT pin-compatible with any other Freescale processors?

No, the M68LC302CAF16VCT is not pin-compatible with the MC68302 due to its 100-pin TQFP package versus the MC68302's 132-pin PGA or QFP. Pin assignments differ significantly - for example, WEH/WEL/OE replace UDS/LDS/RW, and XFC/VCCSYN/GNDSYN are new PLL-support pins. Migration requires PCB redesign and firmware adaptation.