NXP Semiconductors MC68340CAG16E-NXP

Overview

MC68340CAG16E from NXP (originally Motorola/Freescale) is a 32-bit integrated processor with CPU32 core, dual-channel DMA, two USARTs, and system integration module - all on a single die. It delivers 6,742 Dhrystones/sec @ 16.78 MHz, supports 32-bit addressing with 16-bit external data bus, and targets embedded control systems requiring high-speed memory transfers and low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the MC68340CAG16E datasheet, MC68340CAG16E pinout, MC68340CAG16E application, or MC68340CAG16E equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, confirmed timing and power specs, real-world use cases in CD-I and industrial controllers, and two functionally comparable alternatives with documented differences.

Technical Context

The MC68340CAG16E integrates a CPU32 core derived from the MC68020 architecture, offering full object-code compatibility with MC68000/MC68010 while adding 32-bit instructions and embedded control extensions. Its intermodule bus (IMB) synchronously connects CPU32, DMA, USARTs, timers, and SIM40 - eliminating external glue logic and enabling concurrent arbitration and data transfer.

It features a programmable clock synthesizer supporting 16.78 MHz operation via internal PLL or external oscillator, and includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) boundary scan for testability. The SIM40 subsystem handles chip selects, wait-state generation, interrupt vectoring, power-on reset, and discrete I/O - all configurable via memory-mapped registers accessible to CPU32 and DMA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC68340CAG16E is housed in a 144-pin Ceramic Quad Flat Pack (CQFP) with gull-wing leads and 0.65 mm pitch - optimized for thermal stability and reliability in extended-temperature embedded applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MC68340CAG16E, MC68332CAG16 reduces integration to lower cost but sacrifices DMA performance and serial flexibility, while MC68360CZP16E adds communications offload at the expense of voltage compatibility, pinout, and software continuity.

Availability

MC68340CAG16E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for CD-I player manufacturing, industrial motion controller design, and telecom protocol gateway development requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MC68340CAG16E 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

NXP Semiconductors acquired Freescale Semiconductor in 2015, inheriting the Motorola M68300 family including the MC68340 series - a leader in high-integration 32-bit embedded processors since the early 1990s.

The MC68340 belongs to NXP's legacy M68300 integrated processor family, designed specifically for embedded control systems demanding CPU performance, peripheral richness, and glue-less system integration in cost- and space-constrained applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MC68340CAG16E?

The MC68340CAG16E is rated for operation up to 16.78 MHz, as indicated by the "16" suffix in its part number. This frequency determines its peak Dhrystone performance of 6,742 DMIPS and sets timing constraints for external memory access, USART baud rates, and timer resolution. It does not support the 25.16 MHz variant (e.g., MC68340CAG25E) due to internal speed grading and voltage limitations.

Is the MC68340CAG16E pin-compatible with the MC68340V low-voltage variant?

No, the MC68340CAG16E is not pin-compatible with MC68340V variants. While both share the same 144-pin CQFP package outline, the MC68340V operates at 3.3 V and requires different power supply sequencing, voltage regulator design, and I/O threshold handling. Pin functions are identical, but electrical interface requirements differ - necessitating separate PCB layouts and power delivery networks.

Does the MC68340CAG16E include JTAG boundary scan capability?

Yes, the MC68340CAG16E implements full IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) boundary scan test logic via dedicated TCK, TMS, TDI, and TDO pins. This enables board-level structural testing, in-system programming verification, and debug access through background debug mode - all without requiring external emulation hardware.

Can the MC68340CAG16E execute code directly from external 8-bit ROM after reset?

Yes, the MC68340CAG16E supports booting from 8-bit-wide memory via its programmable chip select logic. The SIM40 allows configuration of CS0 for 8-bit access with appropriate wait states, enabling direct execution of initialization code from EPROM or flash - a key feature for CD-I and other resource-constrained embedded systems.

What peripheral modules are memory-mapped in the MC68340CAG16E address space?

All major peripherals - including the dual-channel DMA controller, two USARTs, two 16-bit timers, SIM40 system integration module, and interrupt controller - are accessed via CPU32's linear 32-bit address space. Each module occupies a fixed, relocatable region defined by SIM40 configuration registers, enabling standardized driver reuse across M68300 family parts.