NXP Semiconductors MF3MOD8101DA4/05,1

Overview

MF3MOD8101DA4/05 from NXP Semiconductors is a contactless multi-application smart card IC based on the MIFARE DESFire EV1 platform, featuring 8 kB EEPROM, ISO/IEC 14443A compliance, hardware AES-128 and 3DES cryptographic engines, and deterministic anti-collision for public transport ticketing systems.

For engineers reviewing the MF3MOD8101DA4/05 datasheet, MF3MOD8101DA4/05 pinout, MF3MOD8101DA4/05 application, or MF3MOD8101DA4/05 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 8 kB non-volatile memory capacity, 17 pF input capacitance, SOT500-2 plastic leadless module carrier package, Common Criteria EAL4+ certification, and support for up to 28 applications with transaction-oriented anti-tear integrity.

Technical Context

The MF3MOD8101DA4/05 implements a dedicated contactless RF interface compliant with ISO/IEC 14443-3 and -4, operating at 13.56 MHz with data rates up to 848 kbit/s. Its architecture integrates a crypto co-processor supporting AES-128 and 3DES with 8-byte CMAC authentication, true random number generation, and hardware exception sensors for tamper resistance.

Memory organization uses a flexible file system enabling up to 28 applications per device, each supporting up to 32 files-including standard, backup, value, linear record, and cyclic record types-with file size defined at creation time and automatic rollback on structural commands to preserve integrity.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT500-2 plastic leadless module carrier (PLLMC) package - 35 mm wide tape format, designed for automated embedding into contactless smart cards or modules. No discrete pins; RF coupling achieved via integrated coil connection pads.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar contactless multi-application IC applications.

Compared with MF3MOD4101DA4/05, the MF3MOD8101DA4/05 provides double memory capacity for expanded application hosting, while MF3MODH8101DA4/05 trades RF matching flexibility for physical size reduction-neither is pin-compatible due to differing internal RF interface tuning, but all share identical command set and security architecture.

Availability

MF3MOD8101DA4/05 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for public transport ticketing, secure access management, and closed-loop e-payment systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and CC EAL4+ certified silicon.

Supply support for MF3MOD8101DA4/05 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 company specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and identification markets, with leadership in contactless IC design since the introduction of MIFARE technology.

The MF3MOD8101DA4/05 belongs to the MIFARE DESFire EV1 product line, engineered specifically for high-assurance, multi-application contactless smart cards deployed in mission-critical infrastructure such as transit fare collection and government-issued credentials.

FAQ

What is the memory configuration of MF3MOD8101DA4/05?

The MF3MOD8101DA4/05 contains 8 kB of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) with guaranteed 10-year data retention and typical endurance of 500,000 write cycles. This memory is organized into a flexible file system supporting up to 28 applications, each with up to 32 files-including standard, backup, value, linear record, and cyclic record types-enabling complex multi-service credential deployment in a single MF3MOD8101DA4/05 device.

Does MF3MOD8101DA4/05 support ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands?

Yes, MF3MOD8101DA4/05 fully supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) commands including SELECT FILE (INS A4), READ BINARY (INS B0), UPDATE BINARY (INS D6), READ RECORDS (INS B2), APPEND RECORD (INS E2), GET CHALLENGE (INS 84), INTERNAL AUTHENTICATE (INS 88), and EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATE (INS 82). These commands operate within the ISO/IEC 14443-4 protocol layer and enable standardized card personalization and application management workflows compatible with existing smart card infrastructure.

What security certifications apply to MF3MOD8101DA4/05?

MF3MOD8101DA4/05 is certified under Common Criteria EAL4+ for both hardware and software components, validating its resistance to side-channel attacks, fault injection, and logical exploitation. It implements mutual three-pass authentication using hardware-accelerated AES-128 or 3DES with 8-byte CMAC, true random number generation, hardware exception sensors, and a self-securing file system-all confirmed in the official NXP certification report referenced in the MF3ICDX21_41_81_SDS document.

How does the anti-tear mechanism work in MF3MOD8101DA4/05?

The MF3MOD8101DA4/05 implements a transaction-oriented automatic anti-tear mechanism that guarantees atomicity for all file operations-including value updates, record writes, and backup file commits. When power loss or RF field interruption occurs mid-transaction, the IC rolls back incomplete changes using on-chip backup structures, ensuring no partial or inconsistent state persists. This behavior is hardware-enforced and applies uniformly across standard, backup, value, linear, and cyclic record file types in every application hosted on the MF3MOD8101DA4/05.

Is MF3MOD8101DA4/05 compatible with existing MIFARE reader hardware?

Yes, MF3MOD8101DA4/05 maintains full backward compatibility with the established MIFARE reader hardware platform, including legacy PCDs supporting ISO/IEC 14443A. It operates natively at 13.56 MHz and supports all mandatory and optional commands defined for MIFARE DESFire EV1, while also offering a dedicated backward-compatibility mode to MF3ICD40 with 4-byte MAC and CRC-16 for seamless integration into installed base systems without firmware upgrades.