Datasheet
MC68HC908GZ60 • MC68HC908GZ48 • MC68HC908GZ32 Data Sheet, Rev. 6
Freescale Semiconductor 111
Chapter 8 
External Interrupt (IRQ)
8.1 Introduction
The IRQ (external interrupt) module provides a maskable interrupt input.
8.2 Features 
Features of the IRQ module include:
• A dedicated external interrupt pin (IRQ
)
• IRQ interrupt control bits
• Hysteresis buffer
• Programmable edge-only or edge and level interrupt sensitivity
• Automatic interrupt acknowledge
• Internal pullup resistor
8.3 Functional Description
A low applied to the external interrupt pin can latch a central processor unit (CPU) interrupt request. 
Figure 8-1 shows the structure of the IRQ module.
Interrupt signals on the IRQ
 pin are latched into the IRQ latch. An interrupt latch remains set until one of 
the following actions occurs:
• Vector fetch — A vector fetch automatically generates an interrupt acknowledge signal that clears 
the latch that caused the vector fetch.
• Software clear — Software can clear an interrupt latch by writing to the appropriate acknowledge 
bit in the interrupt status and control register (INTSCR). Writing a 1 to the ACK bit clears the IRQ 
latch. 
• Reset — A reset automatically clears the interrupt latch.
The external interrupt pin is falling-edge triggered out of reset and is software-configurable to be either 
falling-edge or falling-edge and low-level triggered. The MODE bit in the INTSCR controls the triggering 
sensitivity of the IRQ
 pin.
When an interrupt pin is edge-triggered only (MODE = 0), the interrupt remains set until a vector fetch, 
software clear, or reset occurs.










