Texas Instruments TRF7960ARHBR
- Part No.:
- TRF7960ARHBR
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- RFID, RF Access, Monitoring ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
TRF7960ARHBR.pdf
- Description:
- IC RFID READER 13.56MHZ 32VQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
TRF7960ARHBR from Texas Instruments is a fully integrated 13.56-MHz RFID reader/writer IC supporting ISO/IEC 14443A/B, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3, NFC Forum Types 2–5, and FeliCa™. It delivers +20 dBm or +23 dBm RF output power, operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V input, and features dual-receiver architecture with RSSI for robust tag reading in noisy environments - deployed in secure access control and public transport ticketing systems.
For engineers reviewing the TRF7960ARHBR datasheet, TRF7960ARHBR pinout, TRF7960ARHBR application, or TRF7960ARHBR equivalent, this page provides verified protocol support (up to 848 kbps), SPI/parallel interface options, programmable I/O voltage (1.8–5.5 V), ultra-low-power modes (<0.5 µA), and integrated 3.4-V digital supply regulator - all critical for embedded NFC reader design and BOM validation.
Technical Context
The TRF7960ARHBR integrates analog front-end (AFE) and digital framing logic for full ISO/NFC protocol handling without external microcontroller intervention. Its dual-input receiver uses phase/amplitude detection and automatic/manual gain control to eliminate read holes and suppress adjacent-reader interference.
It supports three operational modes: Direct Mode 0 (full AFE control and raw subcarrier access), Direct Mode 1 (framed data with clock extraction), and standard protocol mode (hardware-accelerated ISO/NFC framing). The internal 12-byte FIFO and register-mapped control (e.g., register 0x09 for SYS_CLK, 0x0F for oscillator stability) enable precise timing and real-time parameter tuning.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 13.56 MHz carrier, fixed by external crystal - ensures compliance with global HF RFID standards. |
| RF Output Power | +20 dBm (100 mW) or +23 dBm (200 mW) into 50 Ω - selectable via register control for range vs. regulatory trade-offs. |
| Data Rates Supported | 106, 212, 424, and 848 kbps - enables interoperability across NFC Forum Tags 2–5 and ISO 14443/15693 variants. |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V on VIN - accommodates battery-powered and industrial 5-V systems without external regulators. |
| I/O Logic Level Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V on VDD_I/O - allows direct interfacing with 1.8-V MCUs or 5-V legacy controllers. |
| Power-Down Current | <0.5 µA in Power Down Mode 1 - enables multi-year battery life in portable access readers. |
| Integrated Regulators | VDD_X (3.4 V, 20 mA max), VDD_A (3.4 V), VDD_RF (5 V or 3 V) - powers MCU, analog circuitry, and PA independently. |
Pinout & Package
TRF7960ARHBR is housed in a 32-pin VQFN package (RHB), 5 mm × 5 mm, with exposed thermal pad connected to ground for thermal management in high-duty-cycle reader applications.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VIN (Pin 2) | Main power input | Supplies all internal regulators; must be highest voltage rail (2.7–5.5 V). |
| VDD_X (Pin 32) | Digital supply output | Provides regulated 3.4-V, 20-mA supply for MCU and external logic - eliminates need for external LDO. |
| TX_OUT (Pin 5) | RF transmitter output | Delivers +20/+23 dBm signal to antenna matching network; requires 50-Ω impedance path. |
| RX_IN1 / RX_IN2 (Pins 8, 9) | Dual receive inputs | Enable simultaneous signal sampling for RSSI-based noise rejection and read reliability enhancement. |
| I/O_0–I/O_7 (Pins 17–24) | Parallel interface I/O | Configurable as 8-bit data bus or SPI signals (MOSI/MISO/SS); supports both parallel and serial MCU connectivity. |
| EN / EN2 (Pins 28, 25) | Power mode control | EN = chip enable; EN2 selects between deep-sleep (VDD_X off) and standby (VDD_X active) - critical for low-power sequencing. |
| IRQ (Pin 13) | Interrupt request output | Asserts on frame completion, error, or RSSI threshold crossing - enables event-driven firmware operation. |
| OSC_IN / OSC_OUT (Pins 31, 30) | Crystal oscillator interface | Drives 13.56-MHz fundamental-mode crystal; oscillator stabilizes in ≤5 ms (register 0x0F bit indicates lock). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Multiprotocol hardware acceleration | On-die decoders for ISO/IEC 14443A/B, 15693, 18000-3, NFC Forum Types 2–5, and FeliCa - eliminates MCU firmware overhead for framing/CRC. |
| Dual-receiver architecture with RSSI | Simultaneous sampling on RX_IN1/RX_IN2 enables real-time ambient noise detection and dynamic gain adjustment - prevents missed reads in dense RF environments. |
| Programmable modulation depth & ASK/OOK selection | Register-controlled modulation index and ASK/OOK mode (via ASK/OOK pin) - ensures compatibility with diverse tag types including legacy ISO 15693 devices. |
| Ultra-low-power modes | Power Down Mode 1 draws <0.5 µA; Mode 2 maintains VDD_X at 200 µA - supports wake-on-RF and always-on MCU designs. |
| Integrated 3.4-V, 20-mA digital regulator | VDD_X output powers external MCU and peripherals - reduces BOM count and simplifies power tree in compact reader modules. |
Applications
| Secure Access Control | Public Transport Ticketing |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Contactless door locks in commercial buildings using ISO 14443B smart cards or NFC-enabled smartphones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TRF7960ARHBR acts as the complete HF reader subsystem - handling analog signal generation, protocol framing, and secure command exchange. Use Value: Dual-receiver RSSI ensures reliable reads despite metal-door interference and concurrent badge swipes. |
Use Scenario: Fare validators on buses and subway gates processing MIFARE Classic, DESFire, or FeliCa cards at high throughput. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TRF7960ARHBR executes ISO 14443A framing and 848-kbps data transfer while managing antenna tuning and collision avoidance. Use Value: Hardware-accelerated CRC and parity checking reduces MCU latency to <10 ms per transaction. |
| Medical Device Authentication | Product Anti-Counterfeiting |
Use Scenario: RFID-tagged infusion pumps or diagnostic tools requiring tamper-proof identity verification before operation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TRF7960ARHBR performs mutual authentication with ISO 15693 tags using encrypted challenge-response sequences. Use Value: Programmable I/O voltage (1.8 V) enables direct interface with low-power medical SoCs without level shifters. |
Use Scenario: Luxury goods packaging with NFC tags storing cryptographic signatures validated at point-of-sale or consumer scan. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TRF7960ARHBR reads NDEF records from NFC Forum Type 2/4 tags and verifies digital signatures via host MCU. Use Value: +23 dBm output ensures read range >5 cm through cardboard, foil, and plastic layers - critical for retail packaging integrity. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RFID reader applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRF7964ARHBT | Supports same protocols but adds integrated antenna tuning capacitor bank (0–30 pF) and enhanced ESD protection (±4 kV HBM). | Better suited for space-constrained designs where antenna matching must be dynamically adjusted. | Select TRF7964ARHBT when PCB layout lacks room for discrete matching components or when operating in high-ESD environments. |
| PN5180AUHN | NXP device with integrated 13.56-MHz oscillator, lower typical TX current (ION2 = 55 mA @ 100 mW), and different register map. | Lacks ISO 18000-3 and FeliCa support; optimized for NFC-only use cases with Android Host Card Emulation. | Choose PN5180AUHN only if NFC Forum compliance is sole requirement and TI ecosystem integration is not needed. |
Compared with TRF7960ARHBR, TRF7964ARHBT offers tighter antenna integration and higher ruggedness, while PN5180AUHN trades multiprotocol breadth for simplified NFC stack integration - making TRF7960ARHBR the optimal choice for industrial readers requiring ISO 15693, FeliCa, and 18000-3 interoperability.
Availability
TRF7960ARHBR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure access control, public transport ticketing, and medical device authentication requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle deployments.
Supply support for TRF7960ARHBR 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
Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions - with over 30 years of leadership in RFID and NFC technology.
The TRF7960ARHBR belongs to TI's TRF79xx multiprotocol RFID transceiver family, designed specifically for industrial-grade, high-reliability HF reader systems requiring broad standard support and low-power operation.
FAQ
What communication interfaces does the TRF7960ARHBR support?
The TRF7960ARHBR supports both parallel (8-bit I/O bus) and SPI interfaces. Pins I/O_0–I/O_7 serve as bidirectional data lines in parallel mode, while I/O_5 (SS), I/O_6 (MISO), and I/O_7 (MOSI) reconfigure for SPI. DATA_CLK and SYS_CLK provide synchronous timing, and IRQ signals frame completion or errors - enabling flexible MCU integration without protocol translation firmware.
Does the TRF7960ARHBR require an external crystal?
Yes, the TRF7960ARHBR requires a 13.56-MHz fundamental-mode crystal connected between OSC_IN (Pin 31) and OSC_OUT (Pin 30). The internal oscillator achieves stable lock within 5 ms (confirmed via register 0x0F), and crystal load capacitance must match manufacturer specifications - typically 12–18 pF - to maintain frequency accuracy and regulatory compliance.
How does the dual-receiver architecture improve read reliability in the TRF7960ARHBR?
The TRF7960ARHBR's dual-receiver architecture samples RF signals simultaneously on RX_IN1 and RX_IN2, feeding independent phase/amplitude detectors and RSSI circuits. This allows real-time comparison of signal strength and noise floor - enabling automatic rejection of ambient interference and elimination of "read holes" caused by destructive interference or adjacent-reader collisions - a key advantage in multi-reader installations like transit gates.
Can the TRF7960ARHBR power an external microcontroller?
Yes, the TRF7960ARHBR's VDD_X pin (Pin 32) delivers a regulated 3.4-V output with up to 20 mA current - sufficient to power common low-power MCUs (e.g., MSP430, ARM Cortex-M0+) and peripheral logic. This integrated supply eliminates the need for an external LDO in compact reader designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area while maintaining tight voltage regulation across temperature.
What is the maximum data rate supported by the TRF7960ARHBR?
The TRF7960ARHBR supports data rates up to 848 kbps in ISO/IEC 14443A high-speed mode and NFC Forum Type 4 operation. This capability is enabled by hardware-accelerated bit framing, CRC generation/checking, and 12-byte FIFO buffering - allowing the TRF7960ARHBR to sustain full-rate communication without MCU intervention, even during complex anti-collision sequences.
TRF7960ARHBR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- RFID Reader
- Frequency:
- 13.56MHz
- Standards:
- ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO 18000-3
- Interface:
- SPI
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.7V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 110°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-VQFN (5x5)
TRF7960ARHBR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TRF7960ARHBR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TRF7960ARHBR 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 TRF7960ARHBR reliable?
The price and inventory of TRF7960ARHBR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TRF7960ARHBR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TRF7960ARHBR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TRF7960ARHBR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TRF7960ARHBR?
TRF7960ARHBR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TRF7960ARHBR 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 TRF7960ARHBR?
For technical support, including TRF7960ARHBR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TRF7960ARHBR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TRF7960ARHBR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TRF7960ARHBR 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 TRF7960ARHBR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TRF7960ARHBR?
All TRF7960ARHBR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TRF7960ARHBR, 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 TRF7960ARHBR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TRF7960ARHBR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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