STMicroelectronics ANT7-M24LR-A

Overview

ANT7-M24LR-A from STMicroelectronics is a ready-to-use 15 mm × 15 mm double-layer reference board featuring the M24LR64-R Dual Interface EEPROM IC, integrated with a 13.56 MHz inductive antenna on one side and an I²C connector (SDA/SCL/VCC/GND) on the other. It enables RF and contact-based memory evaluation for NFC/RFID-enabled embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the ANT7-M24LR-A datasheet, ANT7-M24LR-A pinout, ANT7-M24LR-A application, or ANT7-M24LR-A equivalent, this board supports rapid prototyping of dual-interface EEPROM integration, antenna matching validation, I²C interface timing verification, and ISO 15693-compliant RF coupling assessment in compact wearable and IoT tag designs.

Technical Context

The board implements a planar 13.56 MHz inductive antenna tuned to match the M24LR64-R's RF input impedance, enabling bidirectional communication via ISO/IEC 15693. The IC operates in dual mode: contactless (RF) at 13.56 MHz and contact (I²C) at up to 400 kHz.

Gerber files are publicly available for layout reuse and antenna optimization. The PCB provides direct access to all four I²C pins (SDA, SCL, VCC, GND), with no onboard voltage regulation or level-shifting circuitry - requiring external host control and power management.

Key Specifications

Availability

ANT7-M24LR-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for NFC tag development, RFID-enabled sensor node prototyping, and dual-interface memory integration requiring stable component supply and legacy design continuity.

Supply support for ANT7-M24LR-A 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, sensors, and analog/mixed-signal ICs for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The ANT7-M24LR-A belongs to ST's RFID & NFC reference design portfolio, created to accelerate evaluation and adoption of dual-interface EEPROMs in space-constrained, battery-free, or hybrid-powered identification and data logging systems.

FAQ

Is ANT7-M24LR-A still in active production?

No. STMicroelectronics marked ANT7-M24LR-A as obsolete in May 2011 (Doc ID 018781 Rev 1). It is no longer manufactured, but Aetrix Electronics maintains limited legacy stock and supports design continuity through traceable sourcing and documentation access.

Can the antenna be modified or retuned for different frequencies?

Yes - Gerber files are publicly available from ST's website, allowing modification of antenna geometry, trace width, and layer stack-up. Retuning requires impedance measurement and matching network adjustment to maintain optimal coupling at 13.56 MHz per ISO 15693.

What I²C voltage levels does the board support?

The board has no level-shifting circuitry and directly exposes the M24LR64-R's I²C pins. The IC supports 1.8 V to 5.5 V VCC, so I²C logic levels must match the host system's VCC - typically 3.3 V or 5 V - with appropriate external pull-up resistors.

Does the board include firmware or software drivers?

No. ANT7-M24LR-A is a hardware-only reference board. ST provides standalone application notes (e.g., AN4174) and example code for M24LR64-R initialization, RF command handling, and I²C register access - but no preloaded firmware or driver binaries are included on the board.