STMicroelectronics ST25R3913-AQWT
- Part No.:
- ST25R3913-AQWT
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RFID, RF Access, Monitoring ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
ST25R3913-AQWT.pdf
- Description:
- NFC / HF RFID READER IC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,304
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Product details
Overview
ST25R3913-AQWT from STMicroelectronics is a high-performance HF NFC initiator/reader IC supporting ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693, FeliCa™, and ISO 18092 (NFCIP-1) active/passive modes with up to 1 W differential RF output power, 848 kbit/s HBR framing, and integrated dual low-impedance (1 Ω) antenna drivers. It operates across 2.4–5.5 V supply and –40 °C to +125 °C, targeting secure payment terminals and industrial access readers.
For engineers reviewing the ST25R3913-AQWT datasheet, ST25R3913-AQWT pinout, ST25R3913-AQWT application, or ST25R3913-AQWT equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-antenna drive capability, inductive wake-up sensing, automatic modulation index adjustment, AM/PM demodulation with I/Q channels, and 6 Mbit/s SPI interface with 96-byte FIFO - all validated for infrastructure-side NFC systems requiring robust RF performance and low-power tag detection.
Technical Context
The ST25R3913-AQWT integrates a full analog front end (AFE) with two independent 1 Ω differential antenna drivers enabling simultaneous or redundant antenna operation. Its receiver features dual AM and PM (I/Q) demodulator channels with automatic selection, phase/amplitude detection for contactless wake-up, and an A/D converter for analog sensor interfacing.
The device implements ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693, FeliCa™, and NFCIP-1 framing in hardware, while supporting custom protocols (e.g., MIFARE™ Classic) via Transparent and Stream modes. It includes a fast-start 13.56/27.12 MHz crystal oscillator, RC wake-up timer, and programmable gain control across wide supply (2.4–5.5 V) and temperature (–40 °C to +125 °C) ranges.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Output Power | Up to 1 W differential output enables extended read range (>10 cm) with standard 13.56 MHz antennas in payment-grade terminals. |
| Data Rate Support | HBR up to 848 kbit/s PICC↔PCD framing meets EMVCo and NFC Forum requirements for fast transaction handshaking. |
| Operating Voltage | 2.4–5.5 V supply range allows direct integration with 3.3 V or 5 V host microcontrollers without level-shifting. |
| Temperature Range | –40 °C to +125 °C industrial grade ensures reliability in outdoor kiosks, automotive access, and factory-floor readers. |
| SPI Interface | 6 Mbit/s SPI with 96-byte FIFO reduces host CPU overhead and supports real-time frame processing in high-throughput applications. |
| Antenna Drivers | Dual 1 Ω differential drivers support single-ended dual-antenna configuration or redundancy for fail-safe operation. |
| Wake-up Sensing | Inductive amplitude/phase detection enables ultra-low-power tag presence monitoring (<10 µA typical current). |
Pinout & Package
VFQFPN32 package: 5 mm × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, wettable flanks for automated optical inspection (AOI) and reliable solder joint formation.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply input | Primary 2.4–5.5 V analog/digital supply; decoupling required per datasheet layout guidelines. |
| GND | Ground reference | Common analog/digital ground plane connection; critical for RF stability and noise immunity. |
| ANT1P / ANT1N | Differential antenna port 1 | Low-impedance (1 Ω) push-pull outputs for direct connection to balanced 13.56 MHz antenna matching network. |
| ANT2P / ANT2N | Differential antenna port 2 | Independent second 1 Ω driver enables dual-antenna spatial diversity or field shaping in compact enclosures. |
| SCLK / MOSI / MISO / NSS | SPI interface signals | Full-duplex 6 Mbit/s SPI with hardware flow control; supports daisy-chaining in multi-reader systems. |
| IRQ | Interrupt request output | Open-drain signal indicating frame reception, error condition, or wake-up event; configurable polarity and latch behavior. |
| XTAL_IN / XTAL_OUT | Clock oscillator interface | Supports 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystals with fast start-up (<100 µs) for rapid system wake-up. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Dual 1 Ω antenna drivers | Enables true hardware redundancy or spatial diversity without external amplifiers or switching circuitry. |
| AM/PM (I/Q) demodulation | Hardware-selectable channel improves robustness against phase distortion in metallic or noisy environments. |
| Automatic modulation index adjustment | Maintains optimal signal integrity across varying antenna Q-factor and load conditions without firmware intervention. |
| Inductive wake-up sensing | Eliminates continuous RF polling; detects tag presence via LC tank amplitude/phase shift at <10 µA average current. |
| Transparent & Stream modes | Offloads ISO 14443/NFC framing to external MCU while retaining full AFE control for proprietary protocol implementation. |
Applications
| Payment Terminal Reader | Industrial Access Control |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Embedded in countertop or portable POS terminals for contactless card and mobile wallet transactions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Acts as the primary NFC initiator handling ISO 14443A/B and NFCIP-1 active communication with EMVCo-certified timing compliance. Use Value: 1 W RF output ensures >8 cm read range on ISO 14443A cards even with metal housing; dual antenna ports enable field uniformity tuning. | Use Scenario: Integrated into wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted access panels for employee badge authentication in factories or warehouses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Serves as the HF reader subsystem detecting proximity cards (MIFARE DESFire, ISO 15693) in harsh EMI environments. Use Value: –40 °C to +125 °C rating guarantees operation in unconditioned industrial spaces; inductive wake-up extends battery life in wireless readers. |
| Automotive Keyless Entry | Smart Meter Security Module |
Use Scenario: Used in vehicle door handles or trunk modules for passive entry/start (PEPS) with smartphone or fob emulation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Functions as NFC initiator in active P2P mode per ISO 18092, supporting secure handshake with authenticated devices. Use Value: Fast 13.56 MHz crystal start-up (<100 µs) enables sub-100 ms unlock latency; dual antenna drivers improve coupling in curved metal surfaces. | Use Scenario: Embedded in utility smart meters to enable secure field service access via NFC-enabled technician tablets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Provides tamper-resistant NFC interface for firmware updates and diagnostic data retrieval under IEC 62056-8-2 security constraints. Use Value: Wide 2.4–5.5 V supply accommodates meter battery or line-powered operation; 125 °C rating supports sealed outdoor enclosures. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NFC initiator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PN5180A | Lacks dual 1 Ω antenna drivers; single 0.5 Ω driver; no hardware HBR 848 kbit/s framing. | Targeted at consumer wearables and mid-tier readers where cost and size outweigh RF performance. | Select when dual-antenna redundancy or 1 W output is not required; lower BOM cost but reduced range and flexibility. |
| RC663 | No integrated wake-up sensing; requires external circuitry for low-power tag detection; no Stream mode support. | Designed for legacy ISO 14443-only readers with fixed protocol stack and minimal MCU offload needs. | Choose only if migrating from existing RC663 designs; lacks ST25R3913's modern low-power and protocol agility features. |
Compared with PN5180A and RC663, the ST25R3913-AQWT uniquely delivers dual-antenna drive, hardware-accelerated HBR framing, and autonomous inductive wake-up - making it the only solution qualified for high-reliability payment infrastructure and industrial NFC readers demanding both performance and power efficiency.
Availability
ST25R3913-AQWT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for payment terminal design, industrial access control systems, automotive PEPS modules, and smart meter security interfaces requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.
Supply support for ST25R3913-AQWT 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, sensors, and connectivity ICs for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The ST25R series is designed specifically for high-performance NFC infrastructure applications - emphasizing RF robustness, low-power wake-up, and flexible protocol support for secure contactless transactions and identity verification.
FAQ
What antenna topologies does the ST25R3913-AQWT support?
The ST25R3913-AQWT supports differential (balanced) antenna connections on both ANT1P/ANT1N and ANT2P/ANT2N ports, each capable of driving 1 W into 50 Ω loads. It also supports single-ended antenna configurations using one port with external balun, and enables dual-antenna spatial diversity or field shaping via independent gain and phase control per channel.
Does the ST25R3913-AQWT require an external microcontroller to operate?
Yes - the ST25R3913-AQWT is a dedicated NFC analog front end and framing controller that requires an external host MCU for command execution, register configuration, and higher-layer protocol handling (e.g., ISO 7816-4 APDU parsing). Its Transparent and Stream modes allow the MCU to implement custom framing logic while leveraging the IC's hardware AFE and demodulation capabilities.
How does the inductive wake-up feature reduce system power consumption?
The inductive wake-up feature measures amplitude or phase shifts on the antenna LC tank to detect nearby tags without continuous RF carrier transmission. Using the internal RC oscillator and wake-up timer, it can perform periodic low-power measurements drawing <10 µA average current, eliminating the need for always-on polling and extending battery life in portable or energy-harvested readers.
Is the ST25R3913-AQWT pin-compatible with earlier ST25R3912 variants?
No - the ST25R3913-AQWT is not pin-compatible with the ST25R3912. While functionally similar and sharing the same VFQFPN32 package footprint, pin assignments differ for critical signals including IRQ, CLKOUT, and auxiliary test/debug pins. Migration requires PCB layout revision and firmware register mapping updates per the ST25R3913 datasheet.
ST25R3913-AQWT 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, ISO 15693, ISO 18092, MIFARE, NFC
- Interface:
- SPI
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.4V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-QFN (5x5)
ST25R3913-AQWT FAQ
1.How can I place an order for ST25R3913-AQWT through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ST25R3913-AQWT 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 ST25R3913-AQWT reliable?
The price and inventory of ST25R3913-AQWT are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ST25R3913-AQWT is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for ST25R3913-AQWT?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ST25R3913-AQWT transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for ST25R3913-AQWT?
ST25R3913-AQWT orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your ST25R3913-AQWT 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 ST25R3913-AQWT?
For technical support, including ST25R3913-AQWT datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ST25R3913-AQWT requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that ST25R3913-AQWT is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All ST25R3913-AQWT 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 ST25R3913-AQWT meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of ST25R3913-AQWT?
All ST25R3913-AQWT units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ST25R3913-AQWT, 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 ST25R3913-AQWT part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for ST25R3913-AQWT:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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