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STMicroelectronics ST25R3912-AQFT
- Part No.:
- ST25R3912-AQFT
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RFID, RF Access, Monitoring ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
ST25R3912-AQFT.pdf
- Description:
- IC RFID READER 13.56MHZ 32QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:4,915
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Product details
Overview
ST25R3912-AQFT from STMicroelectronics is a high-performance HF NFC initiator and ISO 14443A/B/15693/FeliCa™ reader IC with integrated 1 W differential antenna drivers, dual low-impedance (1 Ω) RF outputs, and support for 848 kbit/s high-bit-rate (HBR) communication. It operates across 2.4–5.5 V supply and -40 °C to +125 °C, targeting payment terminals, access control readers, and industrial NFC infrastructure.
For engineers reviewing the ST25R3912-AQFT datasheet, ST25R3912-AQFT pinout, ST25R3912-AQFT application, or ST25R3912-AQFT equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual-antenna drive capability, automatic modulation index adjustment, AM/PM (I/Q) demodulation, inductive wake-up sensing, and SPI interface with 96-byte FIFO - all critical for robust, low-power, multi-standard NFC system design.
Technical Context
The ST25R3912 integrates a fully programmable analog front end (AFE) with two independent 1 Ω differential antenna drivers enabling simultaneous or redundant antenna operation. Its receiver features parallel AM and PM (I/Q) demodulator channels with automatic selection, supporting ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693, FeliCa™, and NFCIP-1 active/passive modes.
It implements hardware-accelerated framing for ISO 14443 and NFCIP-1 protocols, while Stream and Transparent modes offload custom protocol handling (e.g., MIFARE™ Classic) to an external MCU. The on-chip phase/amplitude detector enables contactless tag presence detection without continuous RF activation, and the RC oscillator + wake-up timer supports ultra-low-power polling cycles.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Output Power | Up to 1 W differential output - enables extended read range and reliable operation in noisy EMI environments. |
| Data Rate Support | HBR up to 848 kbit/s PICC↔PCD - meets EMVCo and PCI requirements for fast card emulation and secure transaction handshaking. |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.4 V to 5.5 V - allows direct integration with 3.3 V or 5 V host systems without level-shifting or LDO overhead. |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C - qualified for industrial and automotive-grade reader deployments including outdoor kiosks and vehicle access systems. |
| SPI Interface | 6 Mbit/s with 96-byte FIFO - reduces MCU interrupt load and enables deterministic real-time response during high-throughput tag interrogation. |
| Antenna Drive Capability | Dual 1 Ω differential outputs - supports redundancy, diversity switching, or single-ended drive of two antennas without external matching networks. |
| Wake-up Sensing | Inductive amplitude/phase detection - detects tag presence at <100 µA quiescent current, enabling battery-powered or energy-harvesting reader designs. |
Pinout & Package
VFQFPN32 package: 5 mm × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, wettable flanks for automated optical inspection (AOI) and improved solder joint reliability.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Main power supply input | Accepts 2.4–5.5 V; powers analog and digital blocks with internal regulators decoupled via external 100 nF capacitors. |
| ANT1P / ANT1N | Differential antenna output 1 | 1 Ω low-impedance driver pair; supports up to 1 W output into 50 Ω balanced load or single-ended via balun. |
| ANT2P / ANT2N | Differential antenna output 2 | Independent 1 Ω driver; enables antenna diversity, failover, or dual-zone coverage without external switches. |
| SCLK / MOSI / MISO / NSS | 4-wire SPI interface | 6 Mbit/s clock/data lines with hardware CS; supports daisy-chaining and interrupt-driven polling via IRQ pin. |
| IRQ | Interrupt request output | Open-drain, active-low signal indicating FIFO status, timer expiry, or tag detection - reduces MCU polling overhead. |
| XTAL_IN / XTAL_OUT | Crystal oscillator interface | Supports 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz crystals with fast start-up (<100 µs), eliminating need for external clock source. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Dual 1 Ω differential antenna drivers | Enables true hardware redundancy or spatial diversity without external power amplifiers or RF switches. |
| Automatic modulation index adjustment | Maintains optimal signal integrity across varying antenna Q-factor, temperature, and coupling conditions - no manual calibration required. |
| AM and PM (I/Q) demodulator channels | Hardware-selectable path ensures reliable decoding of both ASK (ISO 14443) and PSK (FeliCa™/NFCIP-1) signals in same session. |
| Inductive wake-up sensing | Performs sub-100 µA amplitude/phase measurement on antenna tank to detect tag presence - eliminates always-on RF power draw. |
| Stream and Transparent modes | Offloads ISO 14443/NFC framing to external MCU while retaining full AFE control - enables MIFARE™ Classic and proprietary protocol implementation. |
Applications
| Payment Terminal Reader | Access Control Panel |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Embedded in countertop or portable POS terminals requiring EMVCo Level 1 certification and fast card polling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Acts as primary NFC initiator with hardware-accelerated ISO 14443A/B and NFCIP-1 framing; manages field activation timing, collision resolution, and HBR handshake. Use Value: 1 W output ensures >10 cm read range on thick wallets or metal-embedded cards; dual antennas improve first-read success rate in misaligned use cases. | Use Scenario: Installed in wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted door controllers for employee badge authentication. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Serves as low-power, always-on initiator using inductive wake-up to detect proximity badges; triggers full RF activation only upon tag detection. Use Value: Sub-100 µA wake-up current extends battery life to >5 years in backup-powered systems; wide -40 °C to +125 °C rating ensures outdoor deployment reliability. |
| Industrial Asset Tag Reader | Public Transit Fare Validator |
Use Scenario: Integrated into handheld maintenance scanners reading NFC tags on machinery, valves, or pipelines in factory or oilfield environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Functions as ruggedized HF reader supporting ISO 15693 (long-range) and FeliCa™ (fast transit) protocols; handles metallic interference via adaptive gain control. Use Value: Wide supply range (2.4–5.5 V) accommodates legacy 3.3 V or 5 V battery packs; VFQFPN32 wettable flanks ensure IPC Class 3 solder joint integrity under thermal cycling. | Use Scenario: Mounted inside bus/train fare gates processing contactless smartcards and mobile wallets at high throughput. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Operates as high-speed initiator supporting 848 kbit/s HBR for rapid MIFARE DESFire EV3 or FeliCa™ transactions during peak boarding. Use Value: 6 Mbit/s SPI with 96-byte FIFO minimizes MCU latency between tag discovery and response generation - critical for sub-300 ms transaction SLA compliance. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NFC initiator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PN5180A/V1 | Single 50 Ω antenna driver; max 0.5 W output; no dual-antenna support; lacks inductive wake-up sensing. | Better suited for cost-sensitive, single-zone consumer devices (e.g., smart home hubs) rather than industrial or payment infrastructure. | Select when budget constraints outweigh need for redundancy, extended range, or ultra-low-power wake-up. |
| RC663 | Legacy 3.3 V-only supply; no HBR >424 kbit/s; requires external crystal buffer; no integrated phase detector for wake-up. | Designed for legacy ISO 14443-only readers; not certified for EMVCo or FeliCa™ high-speed modes. | Choose only for brownfield upgrades where existing firmware and layout cannot accommodate newer architecture. |
Compared with PN5180A/V1 and RC663, ST25R3912-AQFT uniquely delivers dual 1 W antenna drivers, hardware-based inductive wake-up, and native 848 kbit/s HBR - making it the only solution qualified for next-generation payment terminals, transit validators, and industrial asset trackers demanding reliability, range, and low-power autonomy.
Availability
ST25R3912-AQFT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for payment terminals, access control systems, and industrial asset tracking requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and automotive-grade temperature resilience.
Supply support for ST25R3912-AQFT 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 industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The ST25 family targets secure, high-performance NFC and RFID system design, with ST25R3912 specifically engineered for infrastructure-grade HF readers demanding maximum RF flexibility, multi-standard interoperability, and ultra-low-power operation.
FAQ
What antenna topologies does ST25R3912-AQFT support?
ST25R3912-AQFT supports differential (balanced) antenna connections directly to ANT1P/ANT1N and ANT2P/ANT2N, single-ended drive via external baluns, and two-antenna configurations using internal switch matrix control. It also enables single-ended drive of two separate antennas without external switches by configuring one output in differential mode and the other in single-ended mode using register settings.
Does ST25R3912-AQFT require external components for crystal startup?
No - the ST25R3912-AQFT integrates a fast-start crystal oscillator capable of operating with standard 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystals without external loading capacitors or buffer circuits. Startup time is guaranteed under 100 µs, enabling rapid field activation for low-latency applications like transit fare validation.
How does the inductive wake-up feature reduce system power consumption?
The inductive wake-up uses the integrated phase/amplitude detector to measure antenna tank resonance shift caused by nearby tags, drawing only ~80 µA during sensing. This allows the host MCU to remain in deep sleep until a tag is detected, reducing average current in battery-powered readers from ~10 mA to <100 µA - extending operational life by 10× or more.
Can ST25R3912-AQFT implement MIFARE Classic without external framing logic?
No - MIFARE Classic requires custom cryptographic framing and anti-collision sequences not handled in hardware. ST25R3912-AQFT provides Stream and Transparent modes to pass raw AFE data to an external MCU, which must implement the full MIFARE Classic protocol stack. The IC handles all physical layer tasks: modulation, demodulation, timing, and error correction.
ST25R3912-AQFT Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- ST25R
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- RFID Reader
- Frequency:
- 13.56MHz
- Standards:
- FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC
- Interface:
- SPI
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.4V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-QFN (5x5)
ST25R3912-AQFT FAQ
1.How can I place an order for ST25R3912-AQFT through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ST25R3912-AQFT on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for ST25R3912-AQFT reliable?
The price and inventory of ST25R3912-AQFT are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ST25R3912-AQFT is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for ST25R3912-AQFT?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ST25R3912-AQFT transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for ST25R3912-AQFT?
ST25R3912-AQFT orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your ST25R3912-AQFT order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for ST25R3912-AQFT?
For technical support, including ST25R3912-AQFT datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ST25R3912-AQFT requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that ST25R3912-AQFT is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All ST25R3912-AQFT products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that ST25R3912-AQFT meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of ST25R3912-AQFT?
All ST25R3912-AQFT units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ST25R3912-AQFT, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The ST25R3912-AQFT part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for ST25R3912-AQFT:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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