Texas Instruments TRF7960RHBT

Overview

TRF7960RHBT from Texas Instruments is a fully integrated 13.56-MHz RFID analog front end and data-framing reader IC supporting ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, FeliCa, and ISO/IEC 15693 protocols. It delivers 100 mW or 200 mW RF output power into 50 Ω, features dual AM/PM receiver inputs with RSSI, and operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply. It enables secure access control systems with robust read range and low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the TRF7960RHBT datasheet, TRF7960RHBT pinout, TRF7960RHBT application, or TRF7960RHBT equivalent, key selection considerations include its 32-pin VQFN (5 mm × 5 mm) package, SPI/parallel interface flexibility, programmable ASK modulation depth (8–30%), built-in 20-mA LDO for MCU supply, and ultra-low-power modes (<1 µA power-down current).

Technical Context

The TRF7960RHBT implements a dual-input receiver architecture with independent AM and PM demodulation paths to eliminate communication dead zones, and integrates on-chip framing logic that handles SOF/EOF, CRC, parity, and bit-collision detection for ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693. Its internal high-PSRR regulators isolate analog, digital, and PA sections to maintain signal integrity in noisy environments.

It supports data rates up to 848 kbps with hardware-accelerated encoding/decoding, while also offering direct modes for full MCU control of raw subcarrier or unframed ISO-formatted data. The device uses a 12-byte FIFO for standard protocol handling and provides configurable gain, bandwidth, and output power via 12 user-programmable registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The TRF7960RHBT is housed in a 32-pin VQFN package (5 mm × 5 mm) with exposed thermal pad, optimized for compact RFID reader modules and EMI-sensitive applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RFID reader analog front end applications.

Compared with TRF7960RHBT, TRF7961RHBT sacrifices ISO/IEC 15693 support for lower cost and smaller footprint, while ST25R3916B trades integrated power management for higher RF output - making TRF7960RHBT the optimal balance of multi-protocol coverage, power autonomy, and design simplicity.

Availability

TRF7960RHBT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure access control, public transport ticketing, and medical equipment authentication requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for TRF7960RHBT 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 50 years of innovation in RF and mixed-signal IC design.

The TRF7960RHBT belongs to TI's RFID reader AFE product line, engineered specifically for multi-standard contactless identification systems operating at 13.56 MHz in industrial, healthcare, and transportation environments.

FAQ

What communication interfaces does the TRF7960RHBT support?

The TRF7960RHBT supports both an 8-bit parallel interface and a 4-pin SPI interface, each using a shared 12-byte FIFO for framed data transfer. SPI mode uses I/O_7 (MOSI), I/O_6 (MISO), DATA_CLK, and EN as control - enabling flexible MCU integration whether space-constrained (SPI) or latency-critical (parallel). The TRF7960RHBT automatically configures default register states per selected ISO protocol.

Does the TRF7960RHBT include an integrated voltage regulator for external components?

Yes, the TRF7960RHBT integrates a 20-mA LDO regulator on VDD_X (Pin 32), delivering a stable 2.7–3.4 V output to power external microcontrollers like the MSP430 or sensor peripherals. This eliminates the need for a separate LDO in compact reader designs and ensures synchronized power-up sequencing between the RFID IC and host MCU - a key feature confirmed in TI's SLOU186G datasheet Section 6.2.

What is the minimum supply current for the TRF7960RHBT in power-down mode?

The TRF7960RHBT draws less than 1 µA in full power-down mode (EN = 0, all regulators disabled), as specified in Section 5.4 of the SLOU186G datasheet. This ultra-low quiescent current enables battery-operated handheld readers or energy-harvesting access tokens to achieve multi-year operational life - critical for maintenance-free deployment in remote or embedded security systems.

Can the TRF7960RHBT operate with different MCU I/O voltage levels?

Yes, the TRF7960RHBT supports MCU I/O voltage levels from 1.8 V to 5.5 V via the dedicated VDD_I/O pin (Pin 16), which independently powers the I/O_0–I/O_7, IRQ, SYS_CLK, and DATA_CLK pins. This allows direct interfacing with 1.8-V, 3.3-V, or 5-V MCUs without level shifters - verified in Section 6.2.2 and Table 4-1 of the official datasheet.

How does the TRF7960RHBT handle receiver signal strength indication (RSSI)?

The TRF7960RHBT provides separate AM and PM RSSI values accessible via dedicated registers (Section 6.4), derived from internal AGC stages and digitized receiver outputs. These values reflect real-time received signal amplitude from transponders or ambient sources - enabling adaptive power control, collision detection, and environmental interference monitoring in live reader deployments.