ST25R3915-AQFT

The ST25R3915-AQFT is STMicroelectronics’ high‑performance NFC/RFID front‑end IC for 13.56 MHz systems. It integrates the RF analog front end and a digital controller with a host SPI interface, allowing a microcontroller to act as an NFC reader/writer or card emulation for passive tags. It supports major contactless standards (ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B, ISO/IEC 15693) and card types such as MIFARE DESFire, NTAG, and FeliCa, plus field steering, anti‑collision, wake‑up, and energy harvesting features. The device handles coil drive, timing, modulation/demodulation, and multiple detection schemes to optimize performance in real environments. The -AQFT suffix denotes an Automotive-Qualified device in a package variant suitable for automotive/industrial applications. Typical uses include access control, contactless payments, public transport, and industrial identification. For evaluation and integration, consult the datasheet, application notes, reference designs, and ST development kits.

There isn’t an exact drop‑in equivalent, but similar 13.56 MHz NFC/RFID front‑ends from other vendors include:
- NXP PN532 (NFC controller/Front‑End; 14443 A/B, Felica, ISO15693)
- NXP PN5180 (NFC Front End; similar protocols)
- Infineon CR95HF (13.56 MHz reader/writer)
- TI TRF7970A / TRF7971A (HF transceiver/controllers)
Note: not pin/voltage/feature compatible; choose by protocol support and interface needs.

Here are the key features of ST25R3915-AQFT:
- 13.56 MHz NFC/RFID front-end IC (analog RF and digital protocol engine)
- Multi-protocol support: ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B, ISO/IEC 15693, and FeliCa
- High-sensitivity RF receiver and configurable transmitter/coil driver
- Data rates supported: typical 106/212/424 kbps modes for Type A/B
- Anti-collision and inventory management for multiple tags
- Hardware CRC (CRC_A/B), parity and framing assistance
- Host interface: SPI (with IRQ), suitable for integration with typical MCUs
- Energy harvesting and field interaction support (for passive tag operations)
- Low-power modes with fast wake-up for battery-powered or energy-constrained applications
- Automotive-qualified version (AQFT): extended temperature range and automotive-grade reliability
- Compact package with reduced BOM (integrated RF front-end minimizes external components)
Note: exact package, voltage range, and temperature specs should be confirmed in the latest ST datasheet for your exact operating conditions.

- Pin count: 32 pins (QFN package, AQFT code)
- Function: ST25R3915-AQFT is a high-performance 13.56 MHz NFC/RFID reader-front-end IC. It provides the RF front-end (modulation/demodulation, field generation/detection) and interface to a host MCU (typically via SPI) for reading/writing passive cards/tags. It supports major standards such as ISO/IEC 14443 (A/B), ISO/IEC 15693, and FeliCa.

- Manufacturer: STMicroelectronics (ST).
- What kind of company: A European multinational semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, and sells a wide range of ICs and semiconductor devices (auto, industrial, consumer, IoT), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

ST25R3915-AQFT is a high-performance 13.56 MHz HF RFID/NFC reader IC. Typical application areas include:
- Access control and time/attendance systems (badges, smart cards)
- Public transport, event ticketing and transit cards (ISO 14443, MIFARE DESFire)
- Contactless payments and value terminals
- Point-of-sale, vending machines and kiosks
- Asset tracking, inventory management, library automation with HF tags (ISO 15693, ISO 14443)
- Embedded readers in consumer devices, smartphones, wearables, smart posters and signage
- Industrial identification and process automation (tool tagging, equipment identification)

ST25R3915-AQFT comes in a 48-pin QFN package (6x6 mm) with an exposed pad; tape-and-reel packaging.