STMicroelectronics CR95HF-VMD5T

Overview

CR95HF-VMD5T from STMicroelectronics is a 13.56 MHz multi-protocol contactless transceiver IC supporting ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC Forum Types 1–4), and MIFARE Classic-compatible operation in Reader/Writer mode. It integrates a dedicated frame controller, highly integrated analog front end (AFE), SPI and UART host interfaces, and up to 528-byte FIFO buffer - deployed in secure access terminals, NFC-enabled point-of-sale systems, and industrial asset tagging.

For engineers reviewing the CR95HF-VMD5T datasheet, CR95HF-VMD5T pinout, CR95HF-VMD5T application, or CR95HF-VMD5T equivalent, key selection criteria include RF protocol coverage breadth, low-power Tag Detection mode, dual serial interface flexibility (SPI/UART), and verified interoperability with NFC Forum and ISO-compliant tags across proximity and vicinity ranges.

Technical Context

The CR95HF-VMD5T implements a fully integrated 13.56 MHz air interface with configurable modulation index and receiver gain registers for fine-tuned RF performance across ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, ISO/IEC 15693, and ISO/IEC 18092 protocols. Its internal frame controller handles encoding/decoding, CRC validation, and parity framing - including MIFARE Classic parity compliance when externally supported by secure host authentication logic.

Power management includes four low-consumption WFE states (Power-up, Hibernate, Sleep, Tag Detector), each with distinct wake-up sources (IRQ_IN, SPI_SS, timer, or tag presence). The device supports both crystal-based (27.12 MHz) and internal oscillator timing, with LFO active in all WFE states to maintain detection readiness while minimizing current draw.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

CR95HF-VMD5T uses a 32-pin VFQFPN (Very Thin Fine Pitch Quad Flat No-lead) package measuring 5 × 5 mm with 0.5 mm pitch and an exposed thermal pad requiring connection to GND for optimal thermal performance and noise immunity.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with PN5180 and SLI52, CR95HF-VMD5T delivers broader protocol coverage (including ISO/IEC 15693 and MIFARE Classic parity framing) and superior RF configurability (modulation index, receiver gain), making it optimal for multi-standard industrial and access control readers where host MCU handles protocol logic.

Availability

CR95HF-VMD5T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure access control systems, NFC point-of-sale terminals, and industrial asset tagging requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant manufacturing.

Supply support for CR95HF-VMD5T 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, MEMS, and power management solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

CR95HF-VMD5T belongs to the ST25 NFC/RFID product line, engineered specifically for robust, multi-protocol contactless reader applications demanding interoperability across NFC Forum, ISO, and proprietary tag ecosystems.

FAQ

Does CR95HF-VMD5T support MIFARE Classic authentication natively?

No. While CR95HF-VMD5T implements MIFARE Classic-compatible parity framing and physical-layer signaling, full authentication requires external secure host execution of the MIFARE Classic cryptographic library. The IC provides raw frame exchange capability but does not embed AES or Crypto1 engines.

What is the minimum required crystal specification for CR95HF-VMD5T?

A 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystal with ±20 ppm tolerance, 12 pF load capacitance, and ESR ≤ 40 Ω is recommended. The device also supports internal oscillator operation, though crystal-based timing is required for full RF accuracy and regulatory compliance in production deployments.

Can CR95HF-VMD5T operate in peer-to-peer (P2P) mode as defined by NFC Forum?

Yes. CR95HF-VMD5T supports ISO/IEC 18092 (NFCIP-1) for active and passive P2P communication, enabling implementation of NFC Forum-defined handover protocols (e.g., SNEP, LLCP) when paired with appropriate host firmware handling link management and data exchange.

How is the Tag Detection mode calibrated for reliable operation?

Calibration uses the Idle command with specific parameters (e.g., Timer Window, LFO frequency) and follows a documented procedure in Appendix B of the datasheet: it measures ambient RF noise baseline, adjusts receiver gain dynamically, and establishes threshold values for tag-induced signal deviation - all executed via host-controlled register writes.