NXP Semiconductors MCHC908MR8CFAE

Overview

MCHC908MR8CFAE from Freescale Semiconductor is an 8-bit HCS08-core microcontroller with 8 KB on-chip FLASH, 512 B RAM, integrated 10-bit ADC (8 channels), dual 16-bit timer modules (TIMA/TIMB), SCI serial interface, and a dedicated 6-channel PWM motor control module (PWMMC) supporting complementary outputs with dead-time insertion and fault protection. It operates at up to 8 MHz bus frequency and targets embedded motor control in industrial actuators and small appliance drives.

For engineers reviewing the MCHC908MR8CFAE datasheet, MCHC908MR8CFAE pinout, MCHC908MR8CFAE application, or MCHC908MR8CFAE equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, validated pin functions, real-world motor-control use cases, and two confirmed alternative parts with documented functional and packaging differences for design-in evaluation.

Technical Context

The MCHC908MR8CFAE integrates a HCS08 CPU core with a System Integration Module (SIM) managing clock generation, reset, interrupts, and low-power modes (Wait/Stop). Its Clock Generator Module (CGM) supports crystal oscillator input and PLL-based frequency multiplication to achieve stable 8 MHz bus speed from lower-frequency crystals.

Motor control is implemented via the Pulse-Width Modulator for Motor Control (PWMMC), which provides six independent PWM outputs or three complementary pairs with programmable dead time, automatic fault shutdown using PTC0/PTC1 fault pins, and synchronized initialization with TIMA/TIMB timers - enabling precise three-phase inverter gate drive in BLDC applications.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 48-pin QFP (Quad Flat Package), 0.5 mm pitch, body size 7.0 × 7.0 mm - suitable for compact motor driver PCBs with thermal pad grounding.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar motor-control microcontroller applications.

Compared with MC9RS08KA8CFD, MCHC908MR8CFAE delivers hardware-enforced motor safety via dedicated PWMMC fault inputs and complementary PWM; versus S9KEAZ128AMLH, it offers proven HCS08 ecosystem compatibility and lower BOM cost for volume-constrained industrial motor drives.

Availability

MCHC908MR8CFAE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, appliance control systems, and power tool electronics requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for MCHC908MR8CFAE 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) is a global leader in embedded processing, automotive MCUs, and industrial microcontrollers, with decades of expertise in real-time control silicon.

The MCHC908MR8CFAE belongs to the HC08 family - designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-reliability motor control applications where integrated PWM, ADC, and fault handling reduce system complexity and bill-of-materials cost.

FAQ

What is the maximum bus frequency supported by the MCHC908MR8CFAE?

The MCHC908MR8CFAE supports a maximum bus frequency of 8 MHz, achieved via its integrated Clock Generator Module (CGM) with PLL circuitry. This frequency is sustained across the full operating voltage range (2.7–5.5 V) and ambient temperature (–40°C to +85°C), enabling deterministic real-time motor control loop execution with sub-125 ns instruction cycle time.

Does the MCHC908MR8CFAE include hardware debug support?

The MCHC908MR8CFAE does not integrate on-chip debug modules like BDM or SWD. Debugging relies on the Monitor ROM (MON) bootloader accessed via SCI, allowing flash programming and limited run-control through serial commands. For full ICE-style debugging, external BDM interfaces compatible with HC08 architecture are required - a design trade-off to minimize die size and cost for high-volume motor control applications.

How many ADC channels does the MCHC908MR8CFAE support, and what is their resolution?

The MCHC908MR8CFAE integrates a 10-bit successive-approximation ADC with 8 configurable input channels (ATD0–ATD7), mapped to Port A pins PTA0–PTA6 and one dedicated pin. Conversion time is 16 bus cycles (2 µs at 8 MHz bus speed), and the module supports both single-ended and differential input modes - sufficient for simultaneous sampling of motor phase currents and DC bus voltage in three-phase inverter systems.

Can the MCHC908MR8CFAE generate complementary PWM signals with programmable dead time?

Yes, the MCHC908MR8CFAE's Pulse-Width Modulator for Motor Control (PWMMC) supports complementary PWM pair generation (e.g., PWM1/PWM2 as high/low) with hardware-inserted dead time ranging from 1 to 127 bus cycles (125 ns to 15.9 µs at 8 MHz). Dead-time value is loaded once at initialization into a write-once register, ensuring glitch-free gate drive critical for preventing shoot-through in IGBT/MOSFET half-bridges.

What packaging option is used for the MCHC908MR8CFAE?

The MCHC908MR8CFAE is supplied in a 48-pin Quad Flat Package (QFP) with 0.5 mm lead pitch and 7.0 × 7.0 mm body size (JEDEC MS-026). The package includes an exposed thermal pad on the underside, recommended for soldering to a PCB copper pour to enhance thermal dissipation during sustained PWM operation - critical for maintaining junction temperature below 125°C in enclosed motor driver enclosures.