STMicroelectronics ST8034HCQR

Overview

ST8034HCQR from STMicroelectronics is a 24-pin QFN smartcard interface IC compliant with ISO 7816, NDS, and EMV 4.3 standards. It provides complete analog interface functions-including programmable 5 V/3 V/1.8 V card supply (VCC), three protected bidirectional I/O lines (I/O, AUX1, AUX2), integrated crystal oscillator or external clock support up to 20 MHz, and chip select for parallel device configuration-between microcontrollers and contact smartcards in secure payment and identification systems.

For engineers reviewing the ST8034HCQR datasheet, ST8034HCQR pinout, ST8034HCQR application, or ST8034HCQR equivalent, key selection considerations include its VCC_SEL1/VCC_SEL2 voltage programming, CLKDIV single-pin clock division, thermal/short-circuit protection on all card contacts, 8 kV ESD rating on card-side pins, and deep shutdown current of 12 µA-critical for low-power set-top box and tachograph designs.

Technical Context

The ST8034HCQR integrates a precision LDO-based VCC generator with controlled slew rate (0.025–0.300 V/µs) and overload detection, ensuring safe power delivery to smartcards across 1.8 V, 3 V, and 5 V profiles. Its clock circuit supports synchronous frequency changes via a single CLKDIV input and accepts either a 1–20 MHz crystal (XTAL1/XTAL2) or external clock source.

It features dual-supervisor architecture: fixed-threshold monitoring for VDD and VDDP, plus adjustable PORADJ-based threshold for VDD(INTF) using an external resistor divider. The chip select (CS) pin enables high-impedance isolation of microcontroller interface signals (I/OUC, AUX1UC, AUX2UC), allowing multiple ST8034HC devices to share a common bus.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ST8034HCQR uses a 24-pin QFN24 (4 mm × 4 mm × 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad (not electrically connected). Pin numbering follows top-through view per Figure 4 in DocID024511 Rev 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar smartcard interface applications.

Compared with ST8034HNQR, ST8034HCQR adds chip select for scalable multi-card-reader architectures and simplifies clock programming with one pin. Versus NXP SLN1000, it delivers lower system cost and smaller footprint for dedicated contact smartcard applications without RF requirements.

Availability

ST8034HCQR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for set-top box readers, EMV payment terminals, identification access systems, and tachograph interfaces requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and automotive-grade reliability.

Supply support for ST8034HCQR 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, and secure interface solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST8034 product line delivers certified, low-power smartcard interface ICs designed specifically for ISO 7816-compliant readers in pay-TV, banking, transport, and identity applications-emphasizing safety, ESD resilience, and regulatory readiness.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable clock frequency on the CLK pin?

The ST8034HCQR supports a maximum card clock frequency of 20 MHz on the CLK pin. This is achieved using either the internal crystal oscillator (with XTAL1/XTAL2) or an external clock source. Frequency selection is controlled by the CLKDIV pin, and changes occur synchronously to avoid glitches during runtime reconfiguration.

How does the VCC_SEL1/VCC_SEL2 pin configuration determine smartcard supply voltage?

For ST8034HCQR, VCC_SEL1 alone determines VCC: logic high selects 1.8 V, low selects 3 V or 5 V (further selected by VCC_SEL2 on ST8034HN variants). The device ensures controlled VCC rise/fall times (0.025–0.300 V/µs) and detects overloads with glitch immunity-critical for ISO 7816 Class A/B/C compliance.

Does ST8034HCQR support automatic card presence detection?

Yes. The PRES pin provides debounced card presence detection with active-low assertion. An internal 1.25 µA current source pulls PRES high when no card is inserted; contact closure pulls it low. The debounce circuit filters mechanical bounce, ensuring reliable detection without firmware polling overhead.

What protection mechanisms are implemented on the card-side I/O pins?

All card-side pins (I/O, AUX1, AUX2, RST, CLK, VCC, PRES) feature integrated thermal shutdown, short-circuit protection, and 8 kV HBM ESD robustness. Each I/O line includes a 9 kΩ internal pull-up to VCC, and VCC generation incorporates overload detection with automatic emergency deactivation on fault conditions.