Freescale Microcontroller Delivers More for Less; 8-Bit Market Leader Introduces MC908QB8 Microcontroller, Integrating Functionality and Affordability for Cost-Sensitive Applications

AUSTIN, Texas--June 8, 2005--Freescale Semiconductor is expanding its 8-bit portfolio with an addition to its MC68HC08 Q family of cost-effective, full-featured microcontrollers (MCUs). The MC908QB8 is a highly integrated, feature-rich solution at a low-end price point, making it ideal for consumer electronics, industrial control and automotive systems.

The MC908QB8 strengthens Freescale's 8-bit MC68HC08 Q family by offering a high level of on-chip integration that includes greater analog resolution, added serial communications and increased motion control. The combination of these components on a single chip reduces the need for external system components, helping decrease overall system costs.

"The name of the game for designers today is tightly integrated solutions that combine design flexibility with better performance at a low cost," said Mike McCourt, vice president and general manager of Freescale's microcontroller business. "Freescale delivers the targeted products designers need for a wide variety of applications ranging from electric toothbrushes to industrial motors."

To deliver increased on-chip integration, the MC908QB8 adds increased analog precision with a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Design flexibility is enabled through an enhanced serial communications interface (ESCI) and a serial peripheral interface (SPI). Motion control capability is achieved with the help of four programmable 16-bit timer channels.

The MC908QB8 includes Freescale's embedded flash technology that allows on-the-spot field recalibration and gives designers the ability to differentiate their products based on changes in market demand.

The MC68HC08 Q family of cost-effective, highly integrated 8-bit MCUs targets general purpose applications. All MCUs in the family use the enhanced M68HC08 central processing unit (CPU08) and come in a variety of modules, memory sizes and package types. More than 40 million devices have shipped since the 2002 launch of this 8-bit product family.

MC908QB8 features

Specific features include:

    --  8 KB flash memory

    --  Internal clock oscillator

    --  Up to 13 bi-directional input/output (I/O) lines

    --  10-bit ADC

    --  Multiple 16-pin package options: small outline integrated
        circuit (SOIC), thin small shrink outline package (TSSOP) and
        plastic dual-in-line package (PDIP)

    --  Four programmable 16-bit timer channels

    --  ESCI

    --  SPI

Speeding system development

To help customers speed and simplify development, Freescale offers a complimentary Special Edition of its CodeWarrior(TM) development studio optimized for MC908QB8 technology. The studio is included with the MC908QB8 evaluation board and is also available for download at no charge. CodeWarrior Special Edition provides everything required to edit, compile and debug applications up to 16K in size. It also includes Processor Expert(TM) technology that expedites processor bring-up by automatically creating initialization code.

Price and availability

The MC908QB8 is available now in production quantities. Suggested resale price per unit in 10,000-piece quantities is $1.48 (USD). For more information about these products and services and support available, visit http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/68HC908QB8.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US). www.freescale.com

Freescale Technology Forum

Learn more about this inaugural forum, June 20-23, Orlando, Fla., featuring visionary keynote speeches, in-depth technical presentations and technology demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software and tools providers. Attendees can explore the MC908QB8 at pedestal number 533 in the forum's technology lab. www.freescale.com/ftf

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Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. The HCS08 products incorporate SuperFlash(R) technology licensed from SST. (C) Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2005.