austriamicrosystems unveils the high performance NFC Reader IC for payment and automotive applications
With an on-chip capacitive sensor, the AS3911 reader IC requires 5 µA of current and can wake in the presence of a tag. This unique feature allows for the lowest current consumption in the industry. The IC also provides automatic antenna tuning to eliminate manual tuning while providing 1 W of output power, eliminating the need for an external booster circuit. This is an important feature for the 650 mW of power needed to read credit/debit cards. Competing solutions require a complex external booster circuit. The AS3911’s high level of integration and exclusive antenna management means halving typical system cost.
austriamicrosystems’ AS3911 claims to be the only chip on the market with on-chip error handling for EMV applications. Alternative reader ICs do error correction on the host microcontroller. In addition, the AS3911 includes the analog front end (AFE) and a highly integrated data framing system for handling ISO 18092 (NFCIP-1) initiator, ISO 18092 (NFCIP-1) active target, ISO 14443 A and B reader (including high bit rates) and FeliCa(tm) (Felicity Card) reader. Other standards and custom protocols can also be accommodated by adjusting the AFE and implementing framing in an external microcontroller. Additionally, the AS3911 is the first reader IC on the market that supports the Very High Bit Rate (VHBR) draft amendment to the 14443 standard, allowing for data rates up to 6.8 Mbit/sec.
The NFC and HF Reader IC AS3911 includes features that make it well suited for low power designs. In addition to the capacitive sensor detecting the presence of a card without switching on the reader field, a card can also be detected by performing a measurement of amplitude or phase of the signal on the antenna. The AS3911 also contains a low power RC oscillator and wake-up timer to wake the system after a defined time period and check for a tag. Additionally, this IC is qualified for use in automotive applications so it can be used for car access, ignition and diagnostic functions.
The AS3911 operates over a wide power supply range – from 2.4 V to 5.5 V – and over a wide temperature range of -40 to 85ºC and is housed in a 32-pin QFN (5×5 mm) package.
Availability
The NFC Reader IC AS3911 is available immediately in sample quantities only
More information about the AS3911 NFC reader IC at
www.austriamicrosystems.com/RFID/AS3911
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