Microchip Technology AT88RF04C-MY1G

Overview

AT88RF04C-MY1G from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a contactless 13.56 MHz RF EEPROM memory IC compliant with ISO/IEC 14443-2 and -3 Type B standards, featuring 4 kbit user memory across four 128-byte zones, integrated 82 pF tuning capacitor, and 64-bit mutual authentication under ELVA license - deployed in secure access cards and RFID-enabled ID tokens.

For engineers reviewing the AT88RF04C-MY1G datasheet, AT88RF04C-MY1G pinout, AT88RF04C-MY1G application, or AT88RF04C-MY1G equivalent, key selection considerations include ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type B anticollision support, zone-level access control via four key sets and four 24-bit password groups, self-timed write endurance of 100,000 cycles, and −40°C to +85°C industrial temperature operation.

Technical Context

The AT88RF04C-MY1G implements a half-duplex RF interface operating at 106 kbit/s with 2-byte CRC_B error detection, powered entirely by the reader's 13.56 MHz field - no battery required. Its RF front-end includes rectifier, regulator, clock extraction, and modulator circuits, with AC1/AC2 terminals connecting directly to an external coil antenna.

Security architecture comprises three layered communication modes: Standard (clear data), Authentication (password-protected access), and Encryption (64-bit stream encryption). Each of the four user zones supports independent access rights, anti-tearing recovery, and dedicated password/key sets - all enforced by on-chip password verification, authentication logic, and encrypted checksum validation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT88RF04C-MY1G is supplied in the MY1 wafer-level package - a bare die format intended for embedding into custom antenna substrates or laminated smart cards. It features two RF terminals (AC1 and AC2) with no conventional power or ground pins; energy and data are coupled wirelessly via magnetic induction.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar contactless secure memory applications.

Compared with NXP MIFARE DESFire EV3 and Infineon SLE78CLX2000P, the AT88RF04C-MY1G delivers optimal cost-performance balance for dedicated secure memory tasks - offering hardware-enforced zone access, proven 64-bit authentication, and industrial temperature resilience without unnecessary processing overhead or certification complexity.

Availability

AT88RF04C-MY1G is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for physical access control systems, government ID programs, and transportation ticketing infrastructure requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant wafer-level packaging.

Supply support for AT88RF04C-MY1G 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

Microchip Technology acquired Atmel in 2016 and maintains the CryptoRF product line as part of its secure identification portfolio - delivering trusted silicon for contactless authentication and credentialing.

The AT88RF04C-MY1G belongs to the CryptoRF family, engineered specifically for ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type B contactless smart cards and RFID tags where hardware-level cryptographic security, zone-based access control, and industrial-grade reliability are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the AT88RF04C-MY1G?

The AT88RF04C-MY1G is a contactless RF EEPROM memory IC designed for secure credential storage in ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type B environments. It provides 4 kbit of user memory segmented into four independently secured zones, each configurable with unique passwords and crypto keys. Its core function is to serve as a tamper-resistant, wirelessly powered memory element in smart cards and RFID tags - enabling authentication, encrypted data exchange, and anti-tearing write protection without onboard power.

Does the AT88RF04C-MY1G require an external tuning capacitor?

No, the AT88RF04C-MY1G integrates an 82 pF ±10 pF tuning capacitor between AC1 and AC2 terminals. This eliminates the need for external capacitors in antenna matching networks, reducing bill-of-materials cost and simplifying PCB or substrate layout for smart card and tag manufacturers. Only a single external coil antenna is required for full RF operation.

What security protocols does the AT88RF04C-MY1G support?

The AT88RF04C-MY1G supports ISO/IEC 14443-2 and -3 Type B compliance, 64-bit mutual authentication (under ELVA license), stream encryption using 64-bit keys, encrypted checksum (MAC), and anti-tearing write recovery. It implements three communication security modes - Standard, Authentication, and Encryption - each activated via discrete command sequences. Password attempts counters and tamper sensors further harden against brute-force and physical attacks.

How is memory organized in the AT88RF04C-MY1G?

The AT88RF04C-MY1G organizes memory into four 128-byte user zones (totaling 4 kbit) and a 2 kbit configuration zone. Each user zone supports independent access rights, passwords, and keys. The configuration zone stores four 64-bit crypto keys, four 24-bit passwords, Application Family Identifier (AFI), and security fuses. Memory pages are 16 bytes, and write operations support byte, page, and partial-page modes - all with self-timed execution.

What is the transport password for configuring the AT88RF04C-MY1G?

The transport password for accessing the configuration memory of the AT88RF04C-MY1G is $30 1D D2 (hexadecimal). This secure code must be presented using the Check Password command before writing to protected registers such as AFI, keys, or password fields. Once security fuses are blown during personalization, access to certain configuration areas becomes permanently locked - enforcing one-time programmability for critical secrets.