STMicroelectronics ST25R3916B-AQWT

Overview

ST25R3916B-AQWT from STMicroelectronics is a highly integrated NFC/RFID reader IC supporting EMVCo® PCD L1 v3.2a-compliant contactless payment, ISO14443A/B/F/V protocols, and active/passive peer-to-peer modes up to 424 kbit/s. It features dynamic power output (DPO), active wave shaping (AWS), noise suppression receiver (NSR), automatic antenna tuning (AAT), and dual-antenna support - deployed in secure point-of-sale terminals, industrial access readers, and smart consumer devices.

For engineers reviewing the ST25R3916B-AQWT datasheet, ST25R3916B-AQWT pinout, ST25R3916B-AQWT application, or ST25R3916B-AQWT equivalent, key selection considerations include EMVCo® PCD L1 v3.2a analog/digital compliance, dual-antenna drive capability, AAT via variable capacitor, 2.6–5.5 V wide supply range, and SPI/I²C host interface flexibility with 512-byte FIFO.

Technical Context

The ST25R3916B-AQWT implements a fully programmable RF front-end with independent TX/RX paths: its transmitter supports ASK modulation depth adjustable from 0% to 82%, dynamic field strength control via DPO, and AWS for overshoot/undershoot reduction. The receiver integrates AM/PM and I/Q demodulation with baseband channel summation or automatic selection, plus NSR and squelch for robust operation in electrically noisy environments.

Its digital subsystem includes a 512-byte FIFO, register-mapped control logic supporting direct commands (e.g., "Measure amplitude", "Adjust regulators", "Trigger RC calibration"), and dual-mode host interfaces - SPI up to 10 Mbit/s and I²C up to 3.4 Mbit/s (High-speed mode). On-chip regulators enhance PSRR, while the quartz oscillator supports fast-start 27.12 MHz crystal operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with wettable flank leads for automated optical inspection. Pin assignment validated per STMicroelectronics DS13541 Rev 11 Table 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NFC reader IC applications.

Compared with PN5180A and TRF7970A, the ST25R3916B-AQWT uniquely delivers full EMVCo® PCD L1 v3.2a compliance, dual-antenna support, and hardware-accelerated AAT/DPO/AWS - making it the only drop-in solution for next-generation certified payment readers requiring field stability and noise resilience.

Availability

ST25R3916B-AQWT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure payment terminals, industrial access control systems, and smart appliance commissioning requiring stable component supply through March 2026 and beyond.

Supply support for ST25R3916B-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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, power management, and secure connectivity solutions.

The ST25R series targets high-reliability NFC reader applications demanding EMVCo® certification, multi-protocol support, and robust RF performance - specifically engineered for payment, industrial, and premium consumer use cases.

FAQ

Does ST25R3916B-AQWT support EMVCo® PCD Level 1 certification out of the box?

Yes - the ST25R3916B-AQWT is fully compliant with EMVCo® PCD L1 v3.2a analog and digital requirements, including built-in EMD handling, dynamic power control, and waveform shaping. Certification-ready reference designs and test reports are provided by STMicroelectronics, eliminating need for custom analog compensation circuitry.

Can ST25R3916B-AQWT drive two physically separate antennas simultaneously?

Yes - it supports two independent single-ended antenna outputs (ANT1 and ANT2) with separate tuning control. Each antenna can be activated individually or sequentially via register configuration, enabling spatial diversity, multi-zone coverage, or failover redundancy without external RF switches.

What is the minimum supply voltage for full-temperature-range operation?

The ST25R3916B-AQWT operates across –40 °C to +105 °C at VDD = 2.6–5.5 V. At the lower end of this range, 2.6 V is the guaranteed minimum for full functionality including EMVCo®-compliant field generation, AAT, and NSR - verified per DS13541 Rev 11 Section 5.2.

Is external crystal required, or does it support internal oscillator?

A 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystal is required on XTAL1/XTAL2 for precise NFC carrier frequency generation and EMVCo® timing compliance. The internal RC oscillator is only used for wake-up timer and non-critical clock domains - it is not qualified for RF carrier synthesis or digital protocol timing.