NXP Semiconductors MC908QY4CDWER

Overview

MC908QY4CDWER from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is an 8-bit HCS08-core microcontroller with 4 KB on-chip FLASH, 192 B RAM, 10-bit ADC, and integrated Auto Wakeup Module. It operates at up to 8 MHz bus frequency, supports internal RC oscillator trimming, and features monitor-mode security via eight user-programmable security bytes at $FFF6–$FFFD. It targets low-power industrial control and sensor interface applications.

For engineers reviewing the MC908QY4CDWER datasheet, MC908QY4CDWER pinout, MC908QY4CDWER application, or MC908QY4CDWER equivalent, this page provides verified functional specifications, package mapping to SOIC-20, confirmed security byte behavior, and validated alternatives for legacy HCS08-based designs requiring long-term supply continuity and flash-based firmware protection.

Technical Context

The MC908QY4CDWER implements the HCS08 CPU core with a 16-bit address bus, supporting direct-page addressing and indexed addressing modes. Its memory map includes 4 KB of SuperFlash® FLASH (with mass/sector erase and block protection), 192 B of static RAM, and 256 B of register space.

It integrates peripheral modules including a 10-bit ADC with 8 input channels, Auto Wakeup Module (AWU) with programmable timeout, Computer Operating Properly (COP) watchdog, Low-Voltage Inhibit (LVI), and Keyboard Interrupt (KBI). Clock sources include internal RC oscillator (±2% accuracy after trimming), external crystal, or ceramic resonator.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC908QY4CDWER is housed in a 20-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package with 0.300-inch body width and standard 1.27 mm pitch. Pin functions are defined per MC68HC908QY4A Rev. 3 datasheet Section 1.4 (Pin Assignments) and Section 1.5 (Pin Functions).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-bit microcontroller applications.

Compared with MC908QY4CDWER, MC908QY4CDWE offers identical functionality in tape-and-reel format for automated assembly, while S9KEAZ128AMLH provides architectural modernization at the cost of full hardware and software requalification.

Availability

MC908QY4CDWER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, appliance control panels, legacy motor drive interfaces, and smart power outlet controllers requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for MC908QY4CDWER 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 is a global semiconductor company formed from the spin-off of Philips' semiconductor division, now specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The MC908QY4CDWER belongs to the legacy HCS08 microcontroller family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded control applications where flash programmability, integrated peripherals, and long-term supply stability are prioritized over raw performance.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MC908QY4CDWER?

The MC908QY4CDWER supports a maximum bus clock frequency of 8 MHz, derived from its internal RC oscillator (calibrated), external crystal, or ceramic resonator. This frequency defines instruction execution speed and peripheral timing - for example, the ADC conversion time scales linearly with bus clock division settings. The actual achievable frequency depends on supply voltage and temperature, with full 8 MHz guaranteed from 4.5 V to 5.5 V at 25°C per MC68HC908QY4A Rev. 3 Electrical Specifications.

How does the security feature work in monitor mode for the MC908QY4CDWER?

The MC908QY4CDWER implements a monitor-mode security feature that requires eight user-defined bytes programmed into FLASH addresses $FFF6–$FFFD. During monitor entry, the host must transmit these exact bytes; if five or more are $00, monitor mode is denied. This prevents unauthorized firmware extraction. The MC908QY4CDWER datasheet explicitly states this behavior in Addendum 5/2012, Section 15.3.2, and mandates programming these locations even if unused for vectors.

Which package type is used for the MC908QY4CDWER?

The MC908QY4CDWER is packaged in a 20-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) with 0.300-inch body width and 1.27 mm lead pitch. This is confirmed in MC68HC908QY4A Rev. 3, Chapter 17 "Ordering Information and Mechanical Specifications", where the suffix 'DW' denotes SOIC-20. The 'ER' suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging, distinguishing it from tube-packaged variants like MC908QY4CDWE.

Does the MC908QY4CDWER include an analog-to-digital converter, and what are its key capabilities?

Yes, the MC908QY4CDWER integrates a 10-bit successive-approximation ADC with eight selectable analog input channels (AD0–AD7), programmable sample time, and configurable clock division. It supports both polled and interrupt-driven conversions, and its voltage reference can be internally derived or externally supplied. These capabilities are documented in Chapter 3 of the MC68HC908QY4A Rev. 3 datasheet, enabling precise sensor signal acquisition in resource-constrained designs.

What development tools are compatible with the MC908QY4CDWER?

The MC908QY4CDWER is supported by legacy Freescale tools including the DEMO908QY4 demonstration board, P&E Micro's USB-ML-HCS08 debugger, and CodeWarrior Development Studio for HCS08 v6.x. These tools enable flash programming, real-time debugging, and monitor-mode access - provided the eight security bytes at $FFF6–$FFFD are correctly programmed. Compatibility is confirmed in Chapter 15 "Development Support" of the MC68HC908QY4A Rev. 3 datasheet.