STMicroelectronics ST25R3918-AQWT
- Part No.:
- ST25R3918-AQWT
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RFID, RF Access, Monitoring ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
ST25R3918-AQWT.pdf
- Description:
- HIGH PERFORMANCE NFC UNIVERSAL D
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,725
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Product details
Overview
ST25R3918-AQWT from STMicroelectronics is a multi-purpose NFC transceiver IC supporting reader/writer, card emulation, and passive peer-to-peer modes. It operates across NFC-A/B/V/F standards (up to 848 kbit/s), features dynamic power output (DPO), active wave shaping (AWS), and noise suppression receiver (NSR), and targets secure access control, contactless payment terminals, and industrial asset tagging.
For engineers reviewing the ST25R3918-AQWT datasheet, ST25R3918-AQWT pinout, ST25R3918-AQWT application, or ST25R3918-AQWT equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual-antenna support, -40 °C to +105 °C operating range, integrated AM/PM and I/Q demodulation, and configurable ASK modulation depth (5–40%) for robust field control in EMI-prone environments.
Technical Context
The ST25R3918-AQWT implements a fully integrated RF front-end with independent TX encoding and RX decoding paths, supporting ISO14443A/B, ISO15693, and FeliCa™ protocols. Its phase and amplitude detector enables real-time antenna tuning, while the on-chip A/D converter and RSSI measurement support closed-loop field regulation.
It integrates dual regulators (LDOs) for improved PSRR, a 27.12 MHz quartz oscillator with fast start-up, and programmable timers for listen mode, wake-up, and NFC field guard timing. The device supports both SPI (10 Mbit/s) and I²C (up to 3.4 Mbit/s) host interfaces with 512-byte FIFO buffering.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| NFC Standards | ISO14443A/B up to 848 kbit/s; ISO15693 up to 53 kbit/s; FeliCa™ card emulation |
| Operating Voltage | 2.6–5.5 V (–40 °C to +105 °C); peripheral supply 1.65–5.5 V enables mixed-voltage system integration |
| Communication Interface | SPI up to 10 Mbit/s; I²C Fast-mode Plus (1 Mbit/s) and High-speed mode (3.4 Mbit/s) |
| Modulation Depth | Adjustable ASK depth from 5% to 40%, enabling precise field strength compliance with EMV® and NFC Forum specs |
| Receiver Sensitivity | Noise suppression receiver (NSR) with automatic gain control and squelch, optimized for operation in electrically noisy industrial environments |
| Antenna Support | Two independent single-ended antennas; on-chip voltage/phase/RSSI measurement enables real-time antenna impedance matching |
| Package | VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced for high-duty-cycle NFC polling |
Pinout & Package
VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with wettable flanks for automated optical inspection and reliable reflow soldering in high-volume manufacturing.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Main supply input | 2.6–5.5 V analog/digital core supply; decoupling required per datasheet layout guidelines |
| VDDIO | I/O supply input | 1.65–5.5 V logic interface supply; independent of VDD for flexible host MCU voltage domain interfacing |
| RF_IN/RF_OUT | Differential RF port | Configurable as single-ended TX/RX path; supports external matching network for 13.56 MHz antenna coupling |
| IRQ | Interrupt output | Open-drain active-low signal indicating packet reception, error, or timer expiry; level-triggered for low-latency host response |
| SCLK / SDA / SCL / CS | Host interface signals | Configurable for SPI (4-wire) or I²C (2-wire + IRQ); CS pin enables hardware chip select for multi-device SPI buses |
| XTAL1 / XTAL2 | Crystal oscillator terminals | Supports 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystal with fast start-up (< 100 µs), eliminating need for external clock source |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Power Output (DPO) | Real-time TX field strength regulation to maintain strict regulatory limits without host intervention |
| Active Wave Shaping (AWS) | Hardware-based reduction of RF waveform overshoot/undershoot, improving signal integrity and reducing EMI emissions |
| Noise Suppression Receiver (NSR) | Adaptive filtering and AGC enable reliable communication in >60 dBm conducted noise environments (e.g., motor drives, SMPS) |
| Capacitive/Inductive Card Detection | Ultra-low-power wake-up detection (< 10 µA typical) using internal oscillators, extending battery life in portable readers |
| Dual Antenna Drive | Independent control of two single-ended antennas allows spatial diversity or directional field steering without external switches |
Applications
| Access Control Reader | Payment Terminal |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Secure door entry system using ISO14443A/B smart cards and NFC-enabled smartphones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Acts as the primary NFC initiator with card emulation capability for credential presentation and mutual authentication. Use Value: DPO and AWS ensure consistent field strength across varying card orientations and metallic surroundings, meeting EN 14803-1 proximity requirements. |
Use Scenario: EMV®-compliant point-of-sale terminal supporting contactless credit/debit card transactions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Performs high-reliability reader/writer operations with strict timing compliance for PCD-to-PCD and PCD-to-PICC handshakes. Use Value: NSR and adjustable ASK depth enable stable communication during simultaneous AC/DC power switching events common in retail power supplies. |
| Industrial Asset Tagging | Smart Home Hub |
|
Use Scenario: Ruggedized handheld scanner identifying NFC-tagged machinery, tools, or calibration equipment in factory settings. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Operates in listen mode with ultra-low-power card detection to extend battery life while maintaining sub-100 ms wake latency. Use Value: Wide temperature range (–40 °C to +105 °C) and integrated regulators ensure stable performance near motors, welders, and HVAC units. |
Use Scenario: Central home automation hub reading NFC tags on light switches, thermostats, and appliance panels for configuration and diagnostics. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Functions as passive target (card emulation) to deliver device-specific setup data via NFC tap-and-go provisioning. Use Value: On-chip phase/amplitude measurement enables automatic antenna tuning during firmware updates, compensating for housing-induced detuning. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NFC transceiver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| NXP PN7160 | Integrated firmware stack; lower max data rate (424 kbit/s); no dual-antenna support; requires external crystal load capacitors | Targeted at cost-sensitive consumer devices with fixed protocol set; lacks ST25R3918's industrial-grade noise immunity and field regulation features | Select when rapid time-to-market with pre-certified stack is prioritized over field adaptability and EMI resilience |
| Infineon SLI13 | Single-antenna only; no on-chip phase/amplitude measurement; narrower supply range (2.7–5.5 V); no FeliCa™ support | Optimized for automotive access systems with AEC-Q100 qualification; lacks ST25R3918's wide industrial temp range and passive P2P modes | Select for automotive OEM programs requiring AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualification and simplified antenna design |
Compared with PN7160 and SLI13, the ST25R3918-AQWT offers superior field control granularity, dual-antenna flexibility, and hardened receiver architecture-making it the preferred choice for industrial, medical, and high-reliability embedded NFC where environmental robustness and protocol versatility are critical.
Availability
ST25R3918-AQWT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure access control systems, EMV®-compliant payment terminals, and industrial asset tracking solutions requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.
Supply support for ST25R3918-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, MEMS, and power management solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The ST25 family targets secure, low-power NFC connectivity, with the ST25R3918 specifically engineered for multi-protocol, high-noise, and thermally demanding applications requiring field intelligence and autonomous regulation.
FAQ
What is the maximum supported data rate for ISO14443A communication?
The ST25R3918-AQWT supports ISO14443A at up to 848 kbit/s in reader/writer mode, verified per ISO/IEC 14443-4 Annex B timing requirements. This enables high-throughput tag interrogation in logistics and ticketing applications where rapid batch reading is essential.
Does the device require an external crystal, and what are the startup characteristics?
Yes-it requires a 27.12 MHz fundamental-mode crystal connected to XTAL1/XTAL2. The integrated oscillator achieves full RF stability in under 100 µs, enabling fast wake-from-sleep transitions critical for battery-powered readers with aggressive power cycling.
How does the Noise Suppression Receiver (NSR) improve performance in industrial environments?
The NSR combines adaptive bandpass filtering, digital squelch, and real-time AGC to reject broadband conducted noise above 60 dBm-common near variable-frequency drives and switch-mode power supplies-without sacrificing sensitivity or increasing host CPU overhead.
Can the ST25R3918-AQWT drive two antennas simultaneously, and how is switching managed?
It supports two independent single-ended antennas but not true simultaneous transmission. Antenna selection is software-controlled via register configuration (e.g., REG_IO_CONF1[7:6]), allowing rapid switching (< 1 µs) between antennas for spatial diversity or field null mitigation in metal-rich enclosures.
ST25R3918-AQWT Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- RFID Reader/Transponder
- Frequency:
- 13.56MHz
- Standards:
- FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC
- Interface:
- I2C, SPI
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.65V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 105°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount, Wettable Flank
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-VFQFPN (5x5)
ST25R3918-AQWT FAQ
1.How can I place an order for ST25R3918-AQWT through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ST25R3918-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 ST25R3918-AQWT reliable?
The price and inventory of ST25R3918-AQWT are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ST25R3918-AQWT is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for ST25R3918-AQWT?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ST25R3918-AQWT transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for ST25R3918-AQWT?
ST25R3918-AQWT orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your ST25R3918-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 ST25R3918-AQWT?
For technical support, including ST25R3918-AQWT datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ST25R3918-AQWT requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that ST25R3918-AQWT is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All ST25R3918-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 ST25R3918-AQWT meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of ST25R3918-AQWT?
All ST25R3918-AQWT units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ST25R3918-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 ST25R3918-AQWT part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for ST25R3918-AQWT:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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