STMicroelectronics ST8034HNQR

Overview

ST8034HNQR from STMicroelectronics is a 24-pin QFN smartcard interface IC compliant with ISO 7816, NDS, and EMV 4.3 standards. It provides complete analog card interfacing including programmable 5 V/3 V/1.8 V VCC generation, three protected bidirectional I/O lines (I/O, AUX1, AUX2), integrated crystal oscillator supporting up to 20 MHz card clock, and thermal/short-circuit protection for all card contacts - deployed in pay-TV set-top box readers.

For engineers reviewing the ST8034HNQR datasheet, ST8034HNQR pinout, ST8034HNQR application, or ST8034HNQR equivalent, key selection considerations include VCC_SEL1/VCC_SEL2 voltage programming, CLKDIV1/CLKDIV2 clock division control, OFF interrupt signaling, and QFN24 package compatibility with space-constrained smartcard reader PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The ST8034HNQR integrates a low-dropout VCC generator with controlled slew rate (0.025–0.300 V/µs), dual-voltage supervisors (fixed VDD/VDDP thresholds + adjustable VDD(INTF) via PORADJ), and synchronous clock frequency selection via two dedicated pins (CLKDIV1/CLKDIV2). Its internal architecture supports automatic activation/deactivation sequences triggered by CMDVCC and emergency shutdown on card take-off, VDD drop, or overtemperature.

It features three isolated, buffered half-duplex I/O channels (I/O, AUX1, AUX2) each with 9 kΩ internal pull-up to VCC, ESD-hardened card-side interfaces (8 kV HBM), debounced PRES detection, and non-inverted RST output driven directly by RSTIN - all operating across –25 °C to +85 °C with deep shutdown current as low as 12 µA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ST8034HNQR is housed in a space-saving QFN24 4 × 4 × 0.8 mm package with 0.5 mm pitch and thermally enhanced exposed pad (not electrically connected). Pin numbering follows top-through view per Figure 3 of datasheet DocID024511 Rev 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with ST8034HCQR, ST8034HNQR provides more precise clock division control but no chip select; versus MAX3232ESE+, it delivers full smartcard compliance out-of-box - eliminating 12+ external components and reducing layout risk in certified payment systems.

Availability

ST8034HNQR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for pay-TV set-top boxes, EMV banking terminals, and tachograph systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and automotive-grade temperature performance.

Supply support for ST8034HNQR 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, power management ICs, sensors, and analog chips for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST8034 series belongs to ST's secure interface product line, engineered specifically for ISO 7816-compliant smartcard readers in regulated financial, identification, and transportation applications - emphasizing safety, certification readiness, and minimal external component count.

FAQ

What is the maximum card clock frequency supported by ST8034HNQR?

The ST8034HNQR supports a maximum card clock frequency of 20 MHz, programmable via the CLKDIV1 and CLKDIV2 pins. This allows synchronous division ratios of 1×, 2×, 4×, or 8× from an internal crystal oscillator (1–20 MHz range) or external clock source. The output meets ISO 7816-3 timing requirements including rise/fall time (<16 ns at CL = 30 pF) and duty cycle (45–55%).

How does VCC selection work on ST8034HNQR?

VCC selection is controlled by the logic states of VCC_SEL1 (pin 4) and VCC_SEL2 (pin 2), referenced to VDD(INTF). Per Table 13 in the datasheet, '00' selects 5 V, '01' selects 3 V, and '1X' selects 1.8 V - with VCC_SEL1 taking precedence. The internal LDO regulates VCC with ±2.5% accuracy and controls slew rate (0.025–0.300 V/µs) to meet ISO 7816 power-up timing.

Does ST8034HNQR support external clock sources?

Yes - ST8034HNQR accepts an external clock signal applied to the XTAL1 pin (pin 23), with XTAL2 (pin 24) left unconnected. The internal oscillator circuitry bypasses the crystal path and routes the external signal directly to the clock divider and CLK output driver. This enables precise system-level clock synchronization and eliminates crystal placement constraints on the PCB.

What protection features are integrated into ST8034HNQR?

ST8034HNQR integrates thermal shutdown (>125 °C junction), short-circuit protection on all card contacts (I/O, RST, VCC, CLK, PRES), 8 kV HBM ESD protection on card-side pins, glitch-immune VCC ramp control, and automatic emergency deactivation on card removal or VDD/VDDP undervoltage. These features eliminate the need for external fuses, TVS diodes, or supervisor ICs in certified reader designs.