NXP Semiconductors MF1P4230DA4/00J

Overview

MF1P4230DA4/00J from NXP Semiconductors is a 4 kB MIFARE Plus EV2 contactless smart card IC with Common Criteria EAL5+ security certification, AES-128 cryptographic authentication, and ISO/IEC 14443-4/T=CL protocol support. It features 4-byte NUID, 17 pF input capacitance, and SL3 sector-wise security upgrade capability for secure public transport ticketing and access control systems.

For engineers reviewing the MF1P4230DA4/00J datasheet, MF1P4230DA4/00J pinout, MF1P4230DA4/00J application, or MF1P4230DA4/00J equivalent, key selection considerations include SL0→SL1/SL3 direct commit personalization, Transaction MAC support on value/data blocks, Random ID compliance for GDPR-aligned privacy, and backward compatibility with MIFARE Classic EV1 infrastructure.

Technical Context

The MF1P4230DA4/00J implements dual-layer security architecture: CRYPTO1-based authentication in SL1 mode and mandatory AES-128 three-pass authentication in SL3 mode. Its memory organization comprises 40 sectors (32 × 4-block + 8 × 16-block), with sector trailers storing access conditions and keys, and supports sector-by-sector Security Level switching without full-card reinitialization.

It operates at 13.56 MHz with 2.2 V RMS minimum LA/LB voltage, integrates TRNG and active shielding against glitch/light/rail attacks, and delivers up to 848 kbit/s communication speed under ISO/IEC 14443-3A. The device uses SOT500-2 package with LA/LB antenna terminals only-no digital I/O pins-and relies entirely on RF field coupling for power and data.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MF1P4230DA4/00J uses the MOA4 plastic leadless module carrier package (SOT500-2), designed for embedding into smart cards, key fobs, and wristbands. It has no digital pins - power and communication are fully contactless via integrated antenna interface.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar contactless smart card IC applications.

Compared with MF1P4200DA4/00, MF1P4230DA4/00 trades global UID uniqueness for GDPR-aligned Random ID capability and simplified fleet provisioning; versus MF1PH4230DA4/00, it sacrifices compact-form-factor antenna tuning (70 pF) for optimal performance in full-size contactless cards (17 pF).

Availability

MF1P4230DA4/00J is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for public transportation fare collection, secure physical access control, and event ticketing systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and certified cryptographic security.

Supply support for MF1P4230DA4/00J 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with core expertise in RFID, NFC, and trusted execution environments.

The MF1P4230DA4/00J belongs to the MIFARE Plus EV2 product line, engineered specifically for high-assurance contactless identity and transaction systems requiring seamless migration from MIFARE Classic infrastructure while achieving banking-grade security certification.

FAQ

What security certifications does the MF1P4230DA4/00J hold?

The MF1P4230DA4/00J is Common Criteria EAL5+ certified per AVA_VAN.5, validating resistance against attackers with high attack potential. This certification aligns with requirements for electronic passports and banking-grade contactless ICs. It supports AES-128 cryptography in SL3 mode and includes both symmetric AES originality key and asymmetric ECC-based NXP Originality Signature verification mechanisms - all documented in the official NXP MF1P(H)x2 product short data sheet Rev. 3.1.

How does the MF1P4230DA4/00J support migration from MIFARE Classic systems?

The MF1P4230DA4/00J provides full backward compatibility with MIFARE Classic EV1 in SL1 mode, allowing existing readers and middleware to operate without modification. It enables sector-wise security upgrades from SL1 to SL3, so operators can incrementally enhance security in specific applications (e.g., high-value transit passes) while retaining legacy functionality elsewhere. Direct commit personalization from SL0 to SL1 or SL3 further simplifies deployment - all confirmed in NXP's MF1P(H)x2 documentation.

What is the difference between the 4-byte NUID and 7-byte UID versions of MF1P4230DA4/00J?

The MF1P4230DA4/00J uses a 4-byte NUID (non-unique identifier), which is write-locked at production and not globally unique - requiring system-level handling for collision avoidance. In contrast, the 7-byte UID variant (e.g., MF1P4200DA4/00) provides guaranteed uniqueness. The NUID version enables efficient fleet provisioning and supports ISO/IEC 14443-3 Random ID for privacy compliance, as specified in the MF1P(H)x2 datasheet Section 8.2.

Does the MF1P4230DA4/00J support ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands?

Yes, the MF1P4230DA4/00J supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands in SL3 mode, including ISOSelect (INS A4h) and ISOExternalAuthenticate (INS 82h) for Virtual Card Architecture. These enable multi-application support on a single card - such as combining transit, loyalty, and ID functions - and are fully interoperable with NFC-enabled mobile handsets and standard smart card infrastructure, as detailed in Section 8.2.3 of the official datasheet.

What is the memory endurance and data retention specification for MF1P4230DA4/00J?

The MF1P4230DA4/00J guarantees a minimum write endurance of 200,000 cycles and typical endurance up to 1,000,000 cycles at 25 °C, with non-volatile memory retention exceeding 25 years under the same conditions. These values are measured per block and apply to both data and value blocks, including those protected by anti-tearing mechanisms during AES key updates - as published in Table 1 of the MF1P(H)x2 Quick Reference Data section.