STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1

Overview

X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 from STMicroelectronics is an STM32 Nucleo-compatible expansion board based on the M24LR04E-R dynamic NFC/RFID tag IC, providing 4 Kbit dual-interface EEPROM with NDEF support, 13.56 MHz etched double-layer inductive antenna (30 mm × 30 mm), I²C interface to host MCU, and energy harvesting capability via VOUT pin. It enables NFC-based data exchange and power scavenging in embedded IoT edge nodes.

For engineers reviewing the X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 datasheet, X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 pinout, X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 application, or X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 equivalent, key selection considerations include Arduino™ UNO R3 connector compatibility, self-powered or bus-powered operation, RF write-in-progress signaling, and cascading support for multi-tag systems.

Technical Context

The board implements a Type V NFC tag per ISO/IEC 15693, interfacing the M24LR04E-R IC via dedicated I²C lines (M24LR_SDA/M24LR_SCL) and status pin (M24LR_WIP/BUSY). Memory is partitioned as 512 × 8-bit in I²C mode and 128 × 32-bit in RF mode, supporting simultaneous wired and wireless access.

Energy harvesting is enabled by routing RF field surplus to the VOUT analog pin; when disabled or under weak field, VOUT enters high-Z state. Power selection is configurable via jumpers between 3.3 V, 5 V, and self-powered modes using the onboard antenna coupling.

Key Specifications

Availability

X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for NFC-enabled asset tracking, smart sensor node configuration, secure device onboarding, and industrial maintenance log tagging requiring stable component supply and rapid prototyping support.

Supply support for X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, MEMS, and power solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The X-NUCLEO series targets rapid STM32 ecosystem expansion, delivering plug-and-play hardware reference designs that accelerate development of connectivity, sensing, and power management subsystems.

FAQ

What power options does the X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 support?

The board supports three power configurations: self-powered exclusively from the RF field, bus-powered via the Arduino™ UNO R3 connector (3.3 V or 5 V), or hybrid operation combining both. Jumper settings on CN5/CN6 determine source selection, and the M24LR04E-R's internal power management automatically switches between modes based on field strength and I²C activity.

How is the M24LR04E-R's WIP/BUSY pin used on this board?

The M24LR_WIP/BUSY signal is routed to a dedicated header pin and drives an onboard LED. It toggles during RF write operations or when the tag is busy processing commands, providing real-time visual feedback and enabling host MCU polling or interrupt-driven synchronization without blocking I²C communication.

Can multiple X-NUCLEO-NFC02A1 boards be used together?

Yes - the board supports physical cascading via its extension headers (CN5–CN9) and logical addressing through unique UID assignment in the M24LR04E-R's memory. Each board retains independent I²C addressing (configurable via A0/A1/A2 pins), allowing up to eight units on a single STM32 Nucleo I²C bus for distributed tag networks.

Is NDEF formatting handled in hardware or firmware?

NDEF formatting is implemented in firmware using ST's free STM32Cube-compatible library. The M24LR04E-R provides raw EEPROM access; NDEF message structure (TNF, type, ID, payload) is built and validated by the host MCU application layer. Prebuilt examples include URI and text record encoding with CRC-16 verification before RF write.