NXP Semiconductors MC9S08SE8MRL

Overview

MC9S08SE8MRL from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is an 8-bit HCS08 microcontroller with 8 KB flash, 512 bytes RAM, 10 MHz bus frequency, and integrated peripherals including 10-channel 10-bit ADC, dual TPM timers, SCI with LIN support, RTC, and KBI. It operates across –40°C to 105°C and targets low-power embedded control in automotive body electronics and industrial sensors.

For engineers reviewing the MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet, MC9S08SE8MRL pinout, MC9S08SE8MRL application, or MC9S08SE8MRL equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, package-specific pin mapping, real-world use cases, and validated alternative options - all grounded in Rev. 4 (2015) official documentation and Freescale/NXP product line specifications.

Technical Context

The MC9S08SE8MRL implements the HCS08 CPU core with HC08 instruction set extension (BGND), supporting up to 32 interrupt/reset sources and operating at 20 MHz CPU clock with 10 MHz internal bus frequency. Its ICS module integrates a frequency-locked loop (FLL) with factory-trimmed 39.0625 kHz internal reference, enabling bus frequencies from 1–10 MHz.

System-level features include three power-saving modes (Wait, Stop2, Stop3), COP watchdog with independent 1 kHz clock option, low-voltage detection (LVD) with dual thresholds (2.48 V / 4.0 V), and on-chip debug via single-wire background interface. The ADC supports 2.5 μs conversion, internal bandgap reference (1.20 V), and temperature sensor (1.7 mV/°C), and remains functional in Stop3 mode.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9S08SE8MRL is packaged in 16-pin TSSOP (Case 948F-01), with pin functions mapped per Table 1 of Rev. 4 datasheet. All pins support software-selectable pullups, slew rate, and drive strength. VSSA/VREFL and VDDA/VREFH are double-bonded to VSS and VDD respectively in this package.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with S9S08SG8E2MTJR and MC9S08AC128CFGE, the MC9S08SE8MRL offers optimal balance of cost, power efficiency, and peripheral integration for simple LIN-connected or sensor-fused control tasks - avoiding over-engineering while delivering production-ready reliability in industrial and automotive environments.

Availability

MC9S08SE8MRL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor nodes, appliance motor controllers, and smart lighting interfaces requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturing continuity.

Supply support for MC9S08SE8MRL 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 leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and mobile applications, with deep heritage in microcontroller innovation through its acquisition of Freescale.

The MC9S08SE8MRL belongs to the HCS08 family - designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded control applications where deterministic real-time performance, robust peripheral integration, and qualification across extended temperature ranges are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum bus frequency supported by the MC9S08SE8MRL?

The MC9S08SE8MRL supports a maximum bus frequency of 10 MHz, derived from its HCS08 CPU core running at 20 MHz with a 2:1 divider. This frequency governs peripheral timing, interrupt latency, and ADC sampling rates. Operation above 10 MHz violates electrical specifications and may cause unreliable behavior in TPM, SCI, or ADC modules. The MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet Rev. 4 explicitly confirms this limit under "Features" and "Electrical Characteristics."

Does the MC9S08SE8MRL support LIN communication natively?

Yes, the MC9S08SE8MRL's SCI module includes native LIN 2.x master and slave functionality, with hardware support for extended break generation (master) and detection (slave), as well as wakeup-on-active-edge capability. This eliminates the need for external LIN transceivers in basic implementations and is documented in Section "Peripherals" of the MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet Rev. 4. The MC9S08SE8MRL uses standard UART framing with added LIN-specific timing control registers.

Can the MC9S08SE8MRL operate in ultra-low-power Stop3 mode while using the ADC?

Yes, the MC9S08SE8MRL supports ADC operation in Stop3 mode - a key differentiator for battery-powered applications. The 10-bit ADC remains fully functional with 2.5 μs conversion time, internal bandgap reference, and temperature sensor enabled. Stop3 current is specified at ≤23 μA (–40°C to 85°C, 5 V), and the ADC can trigger wake-up or generate interrupts without exiting Stop3. This capability is confirmed in the "Peripherals" section and Table 8 of the MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet Rev. 4.

What are the valid crystal frequency ranges for the MC9S08SE8MRL's external oscillator?

The MC9S08SE8MRL supports two external crystal/resonator ranges: low range (31.25 kHz to 38.4 kHz) and high range (1 MHz to 16 MHz), selectable via the RANGE bit in the SOPT register. The high-range mode supports both high-gain (HGO = 1) and low-power (HGO = 0) configurations. These ranges are defined in Table 9 ("Oscillator electrical specifications") of the MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet Rev. 4 and validated across –40°C to 125°C ambient.

Is the MC9S08SE8MRL pin-compatible with other devices in the MC9S08SE8 series?

The MC9S08SE8MRL (16-pin TSSOP) shares identical pin functions with other MC9S08SE8 variants in the same package, such as MC9S08SE8CTLH. However, it is not pin-compatible with 28-pin SOIC or PDIP versions due to differing pin counts and assignments - e.g., IRQ, BKGD, and several ADC/timer pins are absent in the 16-pin variant. Pin compatibility is strictly limited to same-package variants, as shown in Table 1 ("Pin Availability by Package Pin-Count") of the MC9S08SE8MRL datasheet Rev. 4.