1. Introduction
This document de scr ibes the fu nct i on ality an d electrical specifications of the contactless
reader/writer MFRC523.
Remark: The MFRC523 supports all variants of the MIFARE Mini, MIFARE 1K and
MIFARE 4K RF identification protocols. To aid readability throughout this data sheet, the
MIFARE Mini, MIFARE 1K and MIFARE 4K products and protocols have the generic
name MIFARE.
2. General description
The MFRC523 is a highly integrated rea der/writer for contactless communication at
13.56 MHz. The MFRC523 reader supports ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE mode.
The MFRC523’s internal transmitter is able to drive a reader/wr iter antenna designed to
communicate with ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE cards and transponders without additional
active circuitry. The receiver module provides a robust and efficient implementation for
demodulating and decoding signals from ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIF ARE comp atible cards and
transponders. The digital module manages the complete ISO/IEC 14443 A framing and
error detection (parity and CRC) functionality.
All protocol layers of the ISO/IEC 14443 A and ISO/IEC 14443 B communication
standards are supported provided:
additional components, such as the oscillator, power supply, coil etc are correctly
applied
standardized protocols, such as ISO/IEC 14443-4 and/or ISO/IEC 14443 B
anticollision are correctly implemented
Using this NXP Semiconductors’ device according to ISO/IEC 14443 B may infringe third
party patent rights.
The MFRC523 supports cont actless communication using MIFARE higher baud rates
(see Section 8.3.4.11 on page 22) at transfer speeds up to 848 kBd in both directions.
The following host interfaces are provide d:
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
Serial UART (similar to RS232 with voltage levels dependent on pin voltage supply)
I2C-bus interface
MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
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3. Features and benefits
Highly integrated analog circuitry to demodulate and decode responses
Buff ered output drivers for connecting an antenna with the minimum number of
external components
Supports ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE
Supports ISO/IEC 14443 B Read/Write modes
Typical operating distance in Read/Write mode up to 50 mm de pending on the
antenna size and tuning
Supports MIFARE Mini, MIFARE 1K and MIFARE 4K encryption in Read/Wri te mode
Supports ISO/IEC 14443 A higher transfer speed communication at 212 kBd, 424 kBd
and 848 kBd
Supports MFIN/MFO UT
Additional internal power supply to the smart card IC connected via MFIN/MFOUT
Supported host interfaces
SPI up to 10 Mbit/s
I2C-bus interface up to 400 kBd in Fast mode, up to 3400 kBd in High-speed mode
RS232 Serial UART up to 1228.8 kBd, with voltage leve ls dependant on pin
voltage supply
FIFO buffer handles 64 byte send and receive
Flexible interrupt modes
Hard reset with low power function
Power-down by software mode
Programmable timer
Internal oscillator for connection to 27.12 MHz quartz crystal
2.5 V to 3.3 V power supply
CRC coprocessor
Programmable I/O pin s
Internal self-test
4. Quick reference data
Table 1. Quick reference data
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
VDDA analog supply voltage VDD(PVDD) VDDA = VDDD = VDD(TVDD);
VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V [1][2] 2.5 3.3 3.6 V
VDDD digital supply voltage 2.5 3.3 3.6 V
VDD(TVDD) TVDD supply voltage 2.5 3.3 3.6 V
VDD(PVDD) PVDD supply voltage [3] 1.6 1.8 3.6 V
VDD(SVDD) SVDD supply voltage VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) = 0 V 1.6 - 3.6 V
Ipd power-down current VDDA =V
DDD = VDD(TVDD) =V
DD(PVDD) =3V
hard power-down; pin NRSTPD set LOW [4] --5A
soft power-down; RF level detector on [4] --10A
IDDD digital supply current pin DVDD; VDDD =3V - 6.5 9 mA
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[1] Supply voltages below 3 V reduce the performance in, for example, the achievable operating distance.
[2] VDDA, VDDD and VDD(TVDD) must always be the same voltage.
[3] VDD(PVDD) must always be the same or lower voltage than VDDD.
[4] Ipd is the total current for all supplies.
[5] IDD(PVDD) depends on the overall load at the digital pins.
[6] IDD(TVDD) depends on VDD(TVDD) and the external circuit connected to pins TX1 and TX2.
[7] During typical circuit operation, the overall current is below 100 mA.
[8] Typical value using a complementary driver configuration and an antenna matched to 40 between pins TX1 and TX2 at 13.56 MHz.
5. Ordering information
[1] Delivered in one tray.
[2] Delivered in five trays.
IDDA analog supply current pin AVDD; VDDA = 3 V, CommandReg register’s
RcvOff bit = 0 -710mA
pin AVDD; receiver switched off; VDDA =3V,
CommandReg register’s RcvOff bit = 1 -35mA
IDD(PVDD) PVDD supply current pin PVDD [5] --40mA
IDD(TVDD) TVDD supply current pin TVDD; continuous wave [6][7][8] -60100mA
Tamb ambient temperature HVQFN32 25 - +85 C
Table 1. Quick reference data …continued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
Table 2. Orderi ng information
Type number Package
Name Description Version
MFRC52302HN1/TRAYB[1] HVQFN32 plastic thermal enhanced very thin quad flat package; no leads;
32 terminal; body 5 5 0.85 mm SOT617-1
MFRC52302HN1/TRAYBM[2] HVQFN32 plastic thermal enhanced very thin quad flat package; no leads;
32 terminal; body 5 5 0.85 mm SOT617-1
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6. Block diagram
The analog interface manages the mo dulation and demodulation of the analo g signals.
The contactless UART manages the protocol requirements for the communication
protocols in cooperation with the host. The FIFO buffer ensures fast an d conve n i en t da ta
transfers to/from the host and the contactless UART.
Various host interfaces are implemented to meet different customer requirements.
Fig 1. Simplified block diagram of the MFRC523
001aaj627
HOST
ANTENNA FIFO
BUFFER
ANALOG
INTERFACE CONTACTLESS
UART SERIAL UART
SPI
I
2
C-BUS
REGISTER BANK
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Fig 2. Detaile d bl oc k diagram of the MFRC523
001aak602
DVDD
NRSTPD
IRQ
MFIN
MFOUT
SVDD
OSCIN
OSCOUT
VMID AUX1 AUX2 RX TVSS TX1 TX2 TVDD
16 19 20 17 10, 14 11 13 12
DVSS
AVDD
PVSSPVDDSDA/NSS/RX EA I2C
5224 32 1
D1/ADR_5
25
D2/ADR_4
26
D3/ADR_3
27
D4/ADR_2
28
D5/ADR_1/
SCK/DTRQ
29
D6/ADR_0/
MOSI/MX
30
D7/SCL/
MISO/TX
31
AVSS
3
6
23
7
8
9
21
22
4
15
18
FIFO CONTROL
MIFARE CLASSIC UNIT
STATE MACHINE
COMMAND REGISTER
PROGRAMABLE TIMER
INTERRUPT CONTROL
CRC16
GENERATION AND CHECK
PARALLEL/SERIAL
CONVERTER
SERIAL DATA SWITCH
TRANSMITTER CONTROL
BIT COUNTER
PARITY GENERATION AND CHECK
FRAME GENERATION AND CHECK
BIT DECODING BIT ENCODING
RANDOM NUMBER
GENERATOR
ANALOG TO DIGITAL
CONVERTER
I-CHANNEL
AMPLIFIER
ANALOG TEST
MULTIPLEXOR
AND
DIGITAL TO
ANALOG
CONVERTER
I-CHANNEL
DEMODULATOR
Q-CHANNEL
AMPLIFIER
CLOCK
GENERATION,
FILTERING AND
DISTRIBUTION
Q-CLOCK
GENERATION
OSCILLATOR
TEMPERATURE
SENSOR
Q-CHANNEL
DEMODULATOR
AMPLITUDE
RATING
REFERENCE
VOLTAGE
64-BYTE FIFO
BUFFER
CONTROL REGISTER
BANK
SPI, UART, I2C-BUS INTERFACE CONTROL
VOLTAGE
MONITOR
AND
POWER ON
DETECT
RESET
CONTROL
POWER-DOWN
CONTROL
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7. Pinning information
7.1 Pin description
Fig 3. Pinning configuration HVQFN32 (SOT617 -1)
001aal155
MFRC523
Transparent top view
RX
MFIN
MFOUT
AVSS
NRSTPD AUX1
PVSS AUX2
DVSS OSCIN
DVDD OSCOUT
PVDD IRQ
I2C SDA/NSS/RX
SVDD
TVSS
TX1
TVDD
TX2
TVSS
AVDD
VMID
EA
D7/SCL/MISO/TX
D6/ADR_0/MOSI/MX
D5/ADR_1/SCK/DTRQ
D4/ADR_2
D3/ADR_3
D2/ADR_4
D1/ADR_5
8 17
7 18
6 19
5 20
4 21
3 22
2 23
1 24
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
Table 3. Pin description
Pin Symbol Type[1] Description
1I2C I
[2] I2C-bus enable input
2 PVDD P pin power supply
3 DVDD P digital power supply
4 DVSS G[3] digital ground
5 PVSS G pin power supply ground
6 NRSTPD I reset and power-down input:
reset: enabled by a positive edge
power-down: enabled when LOW; internal current sinks are switched off, the oscillator
is inhibited and the input pins are disconnected from the outside world
7 MFIN I MIFARE signal input
8 MFOUT O MIFARE signal output
9 SVDD P MFIN and MFOUT pin power supply
10 TVSS G transmitter output stage 1 ground
11 TX1 O transmitter 1 modulated 13.56 MHz energy carrier output
12 TVDD P transmitter power supply: supplies the output stage of transmitters 1 and 2
13 TX2 O transmitter 2 modulated 13.56 MHz energy carrier output
14 TVSS G transmitter output stage 2 ground
15 AVDD P analog power supply
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[1] Pin types: I = Input, O = Output, I/O = Input/Output, P = Power and G = Ground.
[2] The pin functionality of these pins is explained in Section 8.3 “Digital interfaces.
[3] Connection of heatsink pad on package underside is not necessary. Optional connection to pin DVSS is possible.
16 VMID P internal reference voltage
17 RX I RF signal input
18 AVSS G analog ground
19 AUX1 O auxiliary outputs for test purposes
20 AUX2 O auxiliary outputs for test purposes
21 OSCIN I crystal oscillator inverting amplifier input; also the input for an externally generated clock
(fclk = 27.12 MHz)
22 OSCOUT O crystal oscillator inverting amplifier output
23 IRQ O interrupt request output: indicates an interrupt event
24 SDA[2] I/O I2C-bus serial data line input/output
NSS[2] I SPI signal input
RX[2] I UART address input
25 D1[2] I/O test port
ADR_5[2] I/O I2C-bus address 5 inpu t
26 D2 I/O test port
ADR_4[2] II
2C-bus address 4 input
27 D3 I/O test port
ADR_3[2] II
2C-bus address 3 input
28 D4 I/O test port
ADR_2[2] II
2C-bus address 2 input
29 D5 I/O test port
ADR_1[2] II
2C-bus address 1 input
SCK[2] I SPI serial clock input
DTRQ[2] O UART request to send output to microcontroller
30 D6 I/O test port
ADR_0[2] II
2C-bus address 0 input
MOSI[2] I/O SPI master out, slave in
MX[2] O UART output to microcontroller
31 D7 I/O test port
SCL[2] I/O I2C-bus clock input/output
MISO[2] I/O SPI master in, slave out
TX[2] O UART data output to microcontroller
32 EA[2] I external address input for coding I2C-bus address
Table 3. Pin descriptioncontinued
Pin Symbol Type[1] Description
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8. Functional description
The MFRC523 transmission module supports ISO/IEC 14443 A and ISO/IEC 14443 B
Read/Write mode at various transfer speeds and modulation protocols.
8.1 ISO/IEC 14443 A functionality
The physical level communication is shown in Figure 5.
The physical p arameters are described in Table 4.
The MFRC523’s contactless UART and dedicated external host must manage the
ISO/IEC 14443 A protocol. Figure 6 shows the data coding and framing according to
ISO/IEC 14443 A.
Fig 4. MFRC523 Read/Write mode
001aal156
BATTERY
reader/writer contactless card
MICROCONTROLLER
MFRC523
ISO/IEC 14443 A CARD
(1) Reader to card (MFRC523 sends data to a card).
(2) Card to reader (card sends data to the MFRC523).
Fig 5. ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE Read/Write mode communication diagram
(1)
(2)
001aal157
MFRC523 ISO/IEC 14443 A CARD
ISO/IEC 14443 A
READER
Table 4. Communication overview for ISO/IEC 14443 A reader/writer
Communication
direction Signal type Transfer speed
106 kBd 212 kBd 424 kBd 848 kBd
Reader to card
(MFRC523 sends data
to a card)
reader side
modulation 100 % ASK 100 % ASK 100 % ASK 100 % ASK
bit encoding modified Miller
encoding modified Miller
encoding modified Miller
encoding modified Miller
encoding
bit length 128 (13.56 s) 64 (13.56 s) 32 (13.56 s) 16 (13.56 s)
Card to reader (card
sends data to the
MFRC523)
card side
modulation subcarrier load
modulation subcarrier load
modulation subcarrier load
modulation subcarrier load
modulation
subcarrier
frequency 13.56 MHz / 16 13.56 MHz / 16 13.56 MHz / 16 13.56 MHz / 16
bit encoding Manchester
encoding BPSK BPSK BPSK
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The internal CRC coprocessor calculates the CRC value based on ISO/IEC 14443 A
part 3 and handles parity genera tion internally based on the transfer speed. Automatic
parity generation can be switched off using the ManualRCVReg register’s ParityDisable
bit.
8.2 ISO/IEC 14443 B functionality
The MFRC523 reader IC fully supports the ISO 14443 international standard which
includes the communication schemes ISO 14443 A and ISO 14443 B. Refer to the
ISO 14443 reference document s Identification card s - Contac tless integrated circu it cards
- Proximity cards (parts 1 to 4).
Remark: NXP Semiconductors does not of fer a sof tware library to enable design-in of the
ISO 14443 B protocol.
8.3 Digital interfaces
8.3.1 Automatic microcontroller interface detection
The MFRC523 supports direct interfacing to hosts using SPI, I2C-bus or serial UART
interfaces. The MFRC523 resets its interface and checks the current host interface type
automatically after performing a power-on or hard reset.
The MFRC523 identifies the host interface by sensing the logic levels on the control pins
after the reset phase. This is done using a combination of fixed pin connections. Table 5
shows the different pin connection configurations.
Fig 6. Data codi ng and framing according to ISO/IEC 14443 A
001aak585
ISO/IEC 14443 A framing at 106 kBd
8-bit data 8-bit data 8-bit data
odd
parity
odd
parity
start
odd
parity
start bit is 1
ISO/IEC 14443 A framing at 212 kBd, 424 kBd and 848 kBd
8-bit data 8-bit data 8-bit data
odd
parity
odd
parity
start even
parity
start bit is 0
burst of 32
subcarrier clocks even parity at the
end of the frame
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8.3.2 Serial Peripheral Interface
The 5-wire Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) is supported and enables high-speed
communication with the host. The interface can manage data speeds up to 10 Mbit/s.
When communicating with a host, the MFRC523 act s as a slave. As such, it receives data
from the external host for register settings, sends and receives data relevant for RF
interface communication.
An interface compatible with SPI enables high-speed serial communication between the
MFRC523 and a micro controller. The implemented interface meets with the SPI standard.
The timing specification is given in Section 14.1 on page 76.
The MFRC523 acts as a slave during SPI communication and is timed using the SPI clock
signal (SCK) generated by the master. Data communication from the master to the slave
uses the MOSI line. The MISO line is used to send dat a from the MFRC52 3 to the master.
Data byte s on bo th MOSI an d MISO lines are sent with the MSB first. Data on both MOSI
and MISO lines must be stable on the rising edg e of the clock and can be changed on the
falling edge. Data is sent by the MFRC523 on the falling clock edge and is stable during
the rising clock edge.
8.3.2.1 SPI read data
Reading data using SPI requires the byte or der shown in Table 6 to be used. It is possible
to read out up to n-data bytes.
Table 5. Connection protocol for detecting different interface types
Pin Interface type
UART (input) SPI (output) I2C-bus (I/O)
SDA RX NSS SDA
I2C001
EA01EA
D7 TX MISO SCL
D6 MX MOSI ADR_0
D5 DTRQ SCK ADR_1
D4 - - ADR_2
D3 - - ADR_3
D2 - - ADR_4
D1 - - ADR_5
Fig 7. SPI connection to host
001aal159
MFRC523
SCK
SCK
MOSI
MOSI
MISO
MISO
NSS
NSS
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The first byte sent defines both the mode and the address.
[1] X = Do not care.
Remark: The MSB must be sent first.
8.3.2.2 SPI writ e d ata
To write data to the MFRC523 using SPI requires the byte orde r shown in Table 7. It is
possible to write up to n-data bytes by only sending one address byte.
The first send byte defines both the mode and the address byte.
[1] X = Do not care.
Remark: The MSB must be sent first.
8.3.2.3 SPI Read and Write address byt e
The read address byte must meet the foll owing criteria:
the Most Significant Bit (MSB) of the first byte sets the mode. To read data from the
MFRC523, the MSB is set to logic 1; see Table 8
bits [6:1] define the address
the Least Significant Bit (LSB) should be set to logic 0
Table 6. MOSI and MISO byte order
Line Byte 0 Byte 1 Byte 2 To Byte n Byte n + 1
MOSI address 0 address 1 address 2 ... address n 00
MISO X[1] data 0 data 1 ... data n 1data n
Table 7. MOSI and MISO byte order
Line Byte 0 Byte 1 Byte 2 To Byte n Byte n + 1
MOSI address 0 data 0 data 1 ... data n 1data n
MISO X[1] X[1] X[1] ... X[1] X[1]
Table 8. SPI read address
Address
(MOSI) Bit 7
(MSB) Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0
(LSB)
byte 0 1 address address address address address address 0
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The write address byte must meet the following criteria:
the MSB of the first byte set s the mode. To write data to the MFRC523, the MSB is set
to logic 0; see Table 9
bits [6:1] define the address
the LSB should be set to logic 0
8.3.3 UART interface
8.3.3.1 Connection to a host
Remark: Signals DTRQ and MX can be disabled by clearing TestPinEnReg register’s
RS232LineEn bit.
8.3.3.2 Selectable UART transfer speeds
The internal UART interface is compatible with the RS232 serial interface.
The default transfer speed is 9.6 kBd. To change the transfer speed, the host controller
must write a value for the new transfer sp eed to the SerialSpeedReg register. Bits
BR_T0[2:0] an d BR_T1[4:0] define the fa cto rs for se ttin g th e tra n sfe r sp ee d in th e
SerialSpeedReg register.
The BR_T0[2:0] and BR_T1[4:0] settings are described in Table 10. Examples of diff erent
transfer speeds and the relevant register settings are given in Table 11.
Table 9. SPI write address
Address line
(MOSI) Bit 7
(MSB) Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0
(LSB)
byte 0 0 address address address address address address 0
Fig 8. UART connection to microcontrollers
001aal158
MFRC523
RX
RX
TX
TX
DTRQ
DTRQ
MX
MX
Table 10. BR_T0 and BR_T1 se ttings
BR_Tn Bit 0 Bit 1 Bit 2 Bit 3 Bit 4 Bit 5 Bit 6 Bit 7
BR_T0 factor 1 1 2 4 8 16 32 64
BR_T1 range 1 to 32 33 to 64 33 to 64 33 to 64 33 to 64 33 to 64 33 to 64 33 to 64
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[1] The resulting transfer speed error is less than 1.5 % for all described transfer speeds.
The selectable transfer speeds shown in Table 11 are calcul at ed acco rd in g to th e
following equations:
If BR_T0[2:0] = 0:
(1)
If BR_T0[2:0] > 0:
(2)
Remark: Transfer speeds above 1228.8 kBd are not supported.
8.3.3.3 UART framing
Remark: The LSB for data and ad dress bytes must be sent first. No parity bit is used
during transmission.
To read data using the UART interface, the flow shown in Table 13 must be used. The first
byte sent defines both the mode and the address.
Table 11. Selectable UART transfer speeds
Transfer speed (kBd) SerialSpeedReg value Transfer speed accuracy (%)[1]
Decimal Hexadecimal
7.2 250 FAh 0.25
9.6 235 EBh 0.32
14.4 218 DAh 0.25
19.2 203 CBh 0.32
38.4 171 ABh 0.32
57.6 154 9Ah 0.25
115.2 122 7Ah 0.25
128 116 74h 0.06
230.4 90 5Ah 0.25
460.8 58 3Ah 0.25
921.6 28 1Ch 1.45
1228.8 21 15h 0.32
transfer speed 27.12 106
BR_T0 1+
--------------------------------
=
Table 12. UART framing
Bit Length Value
Start 1-bit 0
Data 8-bit data
Stop 1-bit 1
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To write data to the MFRC523 using the UART interface, the structure shown in Table 14
must be used.
The first byte sent defines both the mode and the address.
Table 13. Read da ta byte order
Pin Byte 0 Byte 1
RX address -
TX - data 0
(1) Reserved.
Fig 9. UART read data timing diagram
001aak588
SA
ADDRESS
RX
TX
MX
DTRQ
A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 (1) SO
SA D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 SO
DATA
R/W
Table 14. Write data byte order
Pin Byte 0 Byte 1
RX address 0 data 0
TX - address 0
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx xx xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx x x
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx
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(1) Reserved.
Remark: The data byte can be sent directly after the address byte on pin RX.
Fig 10. UART write data timing diagram
001aak589
SA
ADDRESS
RX
TX
MX
DTRQ
A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5
(1)
SO SA D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 SO
SA A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5
(1)
SO
DATA
ADDRESS
R/W
R/W
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The address byte must meet the following formats:
the MSB of the first byte sets the mode used
the MSB is set to logic 0 to write data to the MFRC523
the MSB is set to logic 1 to read data from the MFRC523
bit 6 is reserved for future use
bits [5:0] define the address; see Table 15
8.3.4 I2C Bus Interface
An I2C-bus interface is supported and enab les implementation of a low-cost, low pin count
serial bus interface to the host. The I2C-bus interface is implemented based on
NXP Semiconductors’ I2C-bus interface specification, re v. 2.1, Januar y 20 00 . The
interface can only act in slave mode. Therefore the MFRC523 does not perform clock
generation or access ar bitration.
The MFRC523 can act as a slave receiver or slave transmitter in Standard mode, Fast
mode and High-speed mode.
SDA is a bidirectional line connected to a positive supp ly voltage using a current sour ce or
a pull-up resistor. Both SDA and SCL lines are set HIGH when data is not transmitted. The
MFRC523 has a 3-state output stage to perform the wired-AND function. Data on the
I2C-bus can be transferred at data rates of up to 100 kBd in Standard mode, up to
400 kBd in Fast mode or up to 3.4 Mbit/s in High-speed mode.
If the I2C-bus interface is selected, spike suppression is activated on lines SCL and SDA
as defined in th e I2C-bus interface specification.
See Table 156 on page 77 for timing requirements.
Table 15. Address byte 0 register; address MOSI
Bit 7
(MSB) Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0
(LSB)
1 or 0 reserved address address address address address address
Fig 11. I2C-bus interface
001aal160
MFRC523
SDA
SCL
I2C
EA
ADR_[5:0]
PULL-UP
NETWORK
CONFIGURATION
WIRING
PULL-UP
NETWORK
MICROCONTROLLER
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8.3.4.1 Dat a validity
Data on the SDA line must be stable during the HIGH clock period. The HIGH or LOW
state of the data line must only change when the clock signal on SCL is LOW.
8.3.4.2 START and STOP conditions
To manage the data transfer on the I2C-bus, unique START (S) and STOP (P) conditions
are defined.
A START condition is defined with a HIGH-to-LOW transition on the SDA line while
SCL is HIGH.
A STOP conditio n is defined with a LOW-to-HIGH transition on the SDA line while
SCL is HIGH.
The I2C-bus master always generates the START and ST OP conditions. The bus is busy
after the START condition. The bus is free again a certain time after the STOP condition.
The bus stays busy if a repeated START (Sr) is generated instead of a STOP condition.
The START (S) and repeated START (Sr) conditions are functionally identical. Therefore,
S is used as a generic term to represent both the START (S) and repeated START (Sr)
conditions.
8.3.4.3 Byte format
Each byte must be followed by an acknowledge bit. Data is transferred with th e MSB first;
see Figure 16. The number of transmitted bytes during one data transfer is unrestricted
but must meet th e re ad /write cycle format.
Fig 12. Bit transfer on the I2C-bus
mbc621
data line
stable;
data valid
change
of data
allowed
SDA
SCL
Fig 13. START and STOP conditions
mbc622
SDA
SCL P
STOP condition
SDA
SCL
S
START condition
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8.3.4.4 Acknowledge
An acknowledge must be sent at the end of one data byte. Th e acknowledge-related cloc k
pulse is generated by the ma ster. The transmitter of data, eithe r master or slave, relea ses
the SDA line (HIGH) during the acknowledg e clock pulse. The receiver pulls down the
SDA line during the acknowledge clock pulse so that it remains stable LOW d uring the
HIGH period of this clock pulse.
The master can then generate either a STOP (P) condition to stop the transfer or a
repeated START (Sr) condition to start a new transfer.
A master-receiver indicates the end of data to the slave-transmitter by not generating an
acknowledge on the last byte that was clocked out by the slave. The slave-transmitter
releases the dat a line to allow the ma ster to generate a ST OP (P) or repeated START (Sr)
condition.
Fig 14. Acknowledge on the I2C-bus
mbc602
S
START
condition
9821
clock pulse for
acknowledgement
not acknowledge
acknowledge
data output
by transmitter
data output
by receiver
SCL from
master
Fig 15. Data transfer on the I2C-bus
msc608
Sr
or
P
SDA
Sr
P
SCL
STOP or
repeated START
condition
S
or
Sr
START or
repeated START
condition
1 2 3 - 8 9
ACK
9
ACK
7812
MSB acknowledgement
signal from slave
byte complete,
interrupt within slave
clock line held LOW while
interrupts are serviced
acknowledgement
signal from receiver
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8.3.4.5 7-Bit addressing
During the I2C-bus address procedure, the first byte after the START condition is used to
determine which slave will be selected by the master.
Several address numbers are reserved. During device configuration, the designer must
ensure that collisions with these reserved addresses cannot occur. Check the I2C-bus
specification for a complete list of reserved addresses.
The I2C-bus address specification is dependent on the definition of pin EA. Immediately
afte r releasing pin NRSTPD or after a power-on reset, the device defines the I2C-bus
address according to pin EA.
If pin EA is set LOW, the upper 4 bits of the device bus address are reserved by
NXP Semiconductors and set to 0101b for all MFRC523 devices. The remaining 3 bits
(ADR_0, ADR_1, ADR_2) of the slave address can be freely configured by the customer
to prevent collisions with other I2C-bus devices.
If pin EA is set HIGH, ADR_0 to ADR_5 can be completely specified at the external pins
according to Table 5 on page 10. ADR_6 is always set to logic 0.
In both modes, the external address coding is latched immediately after releasing the
reset condition. Further change s at the used pins are not taken into consideration.
Depending on the external wiring, the I2C-bus address pi ns can be used for test signal
outputs.
8.3.4.6 Register write ac c es s
To write data from the host controller using the I2C-bus to a specific register in the
MFRC523 the following frame format must be used.
The first byte of a frame indicates the device address according to the I2C-bus rules.
The second byte indicates the register address followed by up to n-data bytes.
In one frame, all dat a bytes are written to the same register address. This enables fast
FIFO buffer access. The Read/Write (R/W) bit is set to logic 0.
Fig 16. First byte following the START procedure
001aak591
slave address
bit 6 bit 5 bit 4 bit 3 bit 2 bit 1 bit 0 R/W
MSB LSB
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8.3.4.7 Register read access
To read out data from a specific register address in the MFRC523, the host controller must
use the following procedure:
Firstly, a write access to the specific register address must be performe d as indicated
in the frame that follows
The first byte of a frame indicates the device address according to the I2C-bus rules
The second byte indicates the register address. No data bytes are added
The Read/Write bit is 0
After the write access, read access can start. The host sends the device address of the
MFRC523. In response, the MFRC523 sends the content of the read access register. In
one frame all data bytes can be read from the same register address. This enables fast
FIFO buffer access or register polling.
The Read/Write (R/W) bit is set to logic 1.
Fig 17. Register read and write access
001aak592
SA00
I
2
C-BUS
SLAVE ADDRESS
[A7:A0] JOINER REGISTER
ADDRESS [A5:A0]
write cycle
0
(W) ADATA
[7:0]
[0:n]
[0:n]
[0:n]
A
P
SA00
I
2
C-BUS
SLAVE ADDRESS
[A7:A0] JOINER REGISTER
ADDRESS [A5:A0]
read cycle
optional, if the previous access was on the same register address
0
(W) AP
P
S
S start condition
P stop condition
A acknowledge
A not acknowledge
W write cycle
R read cycle
A
I
2
C-BUS
SLAVE ADDRESS
[A7:A0]
sent by master
sent by slave
DATA
[7:0]
1
(R) A
DATA
[7:0] A
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8.3.4.8 High-speed mode
In High-speed mode (HS mode), the device can transfer information at data rates of up to
3.4 Mbit/s, while remaining fully downward-comp atible with Fast or Standard modes
(F/S modes) for bidirectional communication in a mixed-speed bus system.
8.3.4.9 High-speed transfer
To achieve data rates of up to 3.4 Mbit/s the following improvements have been made to
I2C-bus operation.
The input s of the device in HS mode incorporate spike suppression, a Schmitt trigger
on the SDA and SCL inputs and different timing constants when compared to
F/S mode
The output buffers of the device in HS mode incorporate slope control of the falling
edges of the SDA and SCL signals with different fall times compared to F/S mode
8.3.4.10 Serial data transfer format in HS mode
The HS mode serial data transfer format meets the Standard mode I2C-bus specification.
HS mode can only star t after all of the following conditions (all of which are in F/S m o de ):
1. START condition (S)
2. 8-bit master code (00001 XXXb)
3. Not-acknowled ge bit (A)
When HS mode start s, the active master sends a repeated START condition (Sr) fo llowed
by a 7-bit sla ve addr ess with a R/W b it addr ess and r eceives an ackn owledge bit (A) from
the selected MFRC5 2 3.
Data transfer continues in HS mode after the next repeated START (Sr), only switching
back to F/S mode after a ST OP condition (P). To reduce the overhead of the master code,
a master links a number of HS mode transfers, separated by repeated START conditions
(Sr).
Fig 18. I2C-bus HS mode protocol switch
F/S mode HS mode (current-source for SCL HIGH enabled) F/S mode
001aak749
AA A/ADATA
(n-bytes + A)
S R/WMASTER CODE Sr SLAVE ADDRESS
HS mode continues
Sr SLAVE ADDRESS
P
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8.3.4.11 Switching between F/S mode and HS mode
After reset and initiali zation, the MFRC523 is in Fast mode (which is in effe ct F/S mode as
Fast mode is downward-compatible with Standard mode). The connected MFRC523
recognizes the “S 00001XXX A” sequence and switches it s intern al circuitry from the Fast
mode setting to the HS mode setting.
The following actions are taken:
1. Adapt the SDA and SCL input filters according to the spike suppression requirement
in HS mode.
2. Adapt the slope control of the SDA output stages.
It is possible for system configurations that do not have other I2C-bus devices involved in
the communication to switch to HS mode permanently. This is implemented by setting
Status2Reg register’s I2CForceHS bit to logic 1. In permanent HS mo de, the master code
is not required to be sent. This is not defined in the specification and must only be used
when no other devices are connected on the bus. In addition, spikes on the I2C-bus lines
must be avoided because of the reduced spike suppression.
8.3.4.12 MFRC523 in lower speed modes
MFRC523 is fully downward-compatibl e and can be connected to an F/S mode I2C-bus
system. The device st ays in F/S mode and communicates a t F/S mode speeds because a
master code is not transmitted in this configuration.
Fig 19. I2C-bus HS mode protocol frame
msc618
8-bit master code 0000 1xxx AtH
t1
S
F/S mode
HS mode If P then
F/S mode
If Sr (dotted lines)
then HS mode
16789 67891
1 2 to 5
2 to 5
2 to 5
6789
SDA high
SCL high
SDA high
SCL high
tHtFS
Sr Sr P
n + (8-bit data + A/A)
7-bit SLA R/W A
= Master current source pull-up
= Resistor pull-up
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8.4 Analog interface and contactless UART
8.4.1 General
The integrated cont actless UAR T supports the external host online with fr aming a nd error
checking of the protocol requir ements up to 84 8 kBd. An external circuit can be con nected
to the communication interface pins MFIN and MFOUT to modulate and demodulate the
data.
The contactless UART manage the pr otocol requirements for the communication
protocols in cooperation with the host. Protocol handling generates bit and byte-oriented
framing. In addition, it manages er ror detection such as parity and CRC, based on the
various supported contactless co mmunication protocols.
Remark: The size and tuning of the antenna and the power supply voltage have an
important impact on the achievable operating distance.
8.4.2 TX p-driver
The signal on pins TX1 and TX2 is the 13.5 6 MHz energy carrier modulated by an
envelope signal. It can be used to drive an antenna directly using a few passive
components for matching and filtering; see Section 15 on page 79. The signal on pins TX1
and TX2 can be configured using the TxControlReg register; see Section 9.2.2.5 on
page 48.
The modulation index can be set by adjusting the impedance of the drivers. The
impedance of the p-driver can be conf igured using registers CWGsPReg and
ModGsPReg. The impedance of the n-driver can be configured using the GsNReg
register. The modulation index also depends on the antenna design and tuning.
The TxModeReg and TxSelReg registers control the data rate and framing during
transmission and the antenna driver setting to suppo rt the different requirements at the
different modes and tr ansfer speeds.
[1] X = Do not care.
Table 16. Register and bit settings controlling the signal on pin TX1
Bit
Tx1RFEn Bit
Force
100ASK
Bit
InvTx1RFOn Bit
InvTx1RFOff Envelope Pin
TX1 GSPMos GSNMos Remarks
0X
[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] not specified if RF is
switched off
100 X
[1] 0 RF pMod n Mod 100 % ASK: pin TX1
pulled to logic 0,
independentl y of the
InvTx1RFOff bit
1RFpCWnCW
01 X
[1] 0 RF pMod nMod
1RFpCWnCW
11 X
[1] 0 0 pMod nMod
1RF_npCWnCW
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[1] X = Do not care.
The following abbreviatio ns have been used in Table 16 and Table 17:
RF: 13.56 MHz clock derived from 27.12 MHz quartz crystal oscillator divided by 2
RF_n: inverted 13.56 MHz clock
GSPMos: conductance, configuration of the PMOS array
GSNMos: conductance, configuration of the NMOS array
pCW: PMOS conductance value for continuou s wave defined by the CWGsPReg
register
pMod: PMOS conductance value for modulation defined by the ModGsPReg register
nCW: NMOS conductance value for continuous wave defined by the GsNReg
register’s CWGsN[3:0] bits
nMod: NMOS conductance value for modulation defined by the GsNReg register’s
ModGsN[3:0] bits
X = Do not care
Remark: If only one driver is switched on, the values for CWGsPReg, ModGsPReg and
GsNReg registers are used for both drivers.
Table 17. Register and bit settings controlling the signal on pin TX2
Bit
Tx1RFEn Bit
Force
100ASK
Bit
Tx2CW Bit
InvTx2RFOn Bit
InvTx2RFOff Envelope Pin
TX2 GSPMos GSNMos Remarks
0X
[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] X[1] not specified if
RF is switched
off
1000 X
[1] 0 RF pMod nMod -
1RFpCWnCW
1X
[1] 0 RF_n pMod nMod
1RF_npCWnCW
10 X
[1] X[1] RF pCW nCW conductance
always CW for
the Tx2CW bit
1X
[1] X[1] RF_n pCW nCW
100 X
[1] 0 0 pMod nMod 100 % ASK: pin
TX2 pulled
to logic 0
(independent of
the
InvTx2RFOn/Inv
Tx2RFOff bits)
1RFpCWnCW
1X
[1] 0 0 pMod nMod
1RF_npCWnCW
10 X
[1] X[1] RF pCW nCW
1X
[1] X[1] RF_n pCW nCW
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8.4.3 Serial data switch
Two main blocks are implemented in the MFRC523. Th e di gital block comprises the state
machines, encoder/decoder logic. The analog block comprises the modulator and
antenna drivers, the receiver and amplifiers. It is possible for the interface between these
two blocks to be configured so that the interfacing signals are routed to pins MFIN and
MFOUT. This topology allows the analog block of the MFRC523 to be connected to the
digital block of another device.
The serial signal switch is controlled by the TxSelReg and RxSelReg registers.
Figure 20 shows the serial data switch for TX1 and TX2.
8.4.4 MFIN and MFOUT interface support
The MFRC523 is divid ed in to a di gital circuit block an d an a nalo g circui t bl ock. The d igital
block cont ains sta te machines, encoder and decode r logic, etc. The an alog block cont ains
the modulator and antenna drivers, receiver and amplifiers. The interface between these
two blocks can be configured to enable the interfacing signals to be routed to pins MFIN
and MFOUT; see Figure 21 on page 26. This configuration is implemented using
TxSelReg register’s MFOutSel[3:0]/DriverSel[1:0] bits and RxSelReg register’s
UARTSel[1:0] bits. This topology allows some parts of the analog block to be connected to
the digital block of another device.
Switch MFOutSel in the TxSelReg register can be used to measure MIFARE and
ISO/IEC14443 A related signals. This is especially important during the design-in phase
or for testing purposes as it enables checking of the transmitted and received data.
The most import ant use of pins MFIN and MFOUT is found in the a ctive antenna concept.
An external active antenna circuit can be connected to the MFRC523’s digital block.
Switch MFOutSel must be configured so that the internal Miller encoded signal is sent to
pin MFOUT (MFOutSe l = 100b). UARTSel[1:0] must be configured to receive a
Manchester signal with subcarrier from pin MFIN (UARTSel[1:0] = 01).
It is possible to connect a passive antenna to pins TX1, TX2 and RX (using the
appropriate filter and matching circuit) and an active antenna to pins MFOUT and M FIN at
the same time. In this configuration, two RF circuits can b e driven (o ne af ter another ) by a
single host processor.
Remark: Pins MFIN and MFOUT have a dedicated supp ly on pin SVDD with the ground
on pin PVSS.
Fig 20. Serial data switch for TX1 and TX2
001aak593
INTERNAL
CODER INVERT IF
InvMod = 1
DriverSel[1:0]
00
01
10
11
3-state
to driver TX1 and TX2
0 = impedance = modulated
1 = impedance = CW
1
INVERT IF
PolMFin = 0
MFIN
envelope
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx xx xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx x x
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx
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Fig 21. Overview of MFIN and MFOUT signal routing
001aal161
MILLER
CODER MFOutSel[3:0]
UART
Sel[1:0]
MFOUT
MFIN
TX bit stream
DIGITAL MODULE
MFRC523 ANALOG MODULE
MFRC523
RX bit stream
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3-state
LOW
HIGH
test bus
internal envelope
TX serial data stream
reserved
RX serial data stream
MANCHESTER
DECODER
SUBCARRIER
DEMODULATOR
DRIVER
Sel[1:0]
0
1
2
3
3-state
internal envelope
HIGH
envelope from pin MFIN
0
1
2
3
LOW
Manchester with subcarrier
internal modulated
NRZ coding without subcarrier (> 106 kBd)
MODULATOR DRIVER TX2
TX1
RX
DEMODULATOR
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8.4.5 CRC coprocessor
The following CRC coprocessor parameters can be configured:
The CRC preset value can be either 0000h, 6363h, A671h or FFFFh depending on
the ModeReg register’s CRCPreset[1:0] bits setting
The CRC polynomial for the 16-bit CRC is fixed to x16 +x
12 +x
5+1
The CRCResultReg register indicates the resu lt of the CRC calculation. This register
is split into two 8-bit registers representing the higher and lower bytes.
The ModeReg register ’s MSB first bit indicates that data will be loaded with the MSB
first.
8.5 FIFO buffer
An 8 64 bit FIFO buffer is used in the MFRC523. It buffers the input and output data
stream between the host and the MFRC523’s internal state machine. This makes it
possible to manage data streams up to 64 bytes long without the need to take timing
constraints into account.
8.5.1 Accessing the FIFO buffer
The FIFO buffer input and output data bus is connected to the FIFODataReg register.
Writing to this register stores one byte in the FIFO buffer and increments the internal FIFO
buffer write pointer. Reading from this register shows the FIFO buffer contents stored in
the FIFO buffer read pointer and decrements the FIFO buffer read pointer. The distance
between the write and read pointer can be obta ined by reading the FIFOLevelReg
register.
When the microcontroller starts a command, the MFRC523 can, while the command is in
progress, access the FIFO buffer according to that command. Only one FIFO buffer has
been implemented which can be used for input and output. The microcontroller must
ensure that there are not any unintentional FIFO buffer accesses.
8.5.2 Controlling the FIFO buffer
The FIFO buffer pointers can be reset by setting FIFOLevelReg register’s FlushBuffer bit
to logic 1. Consequently, the FIFOLevel[6:0] bits are all set to logic 0 and the ErrorReg
register’s BufferOvfl bit is cleared. The bytes stored in the FIFO buffer are no longer
accessible allowing the FIFO buffer to be filled with another 64 bytes.
8.5.3 FIFO buffer status information
The host can get the follo wing FIFO buffer status information:
Number of bytes stored in the FIFO bu ffer: FIFOLevelReg register’s FIFOLevel[6:0]
FIFO buffer almost full warning: Status1Reg register’s HiAlert bit
Table 18. CRC coprocessor parameters
Parameter Value
CRC register length 16-bit CRC
CRC algorithm algorithm according to ISO/IEC 1 4443 A and ITU-T
CRC preset value 0000h, 6363h, A671h or FFFFh depending on the setting of the
ModeReg register’s CRCPreset[1:0] bits
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FIFO buffer almost empt y warn ing : Status1Reg register’s LoAlert bit
FIFO buffer overflow warning: ErrorReg register’s BufferOvfl bit. The BufferOvfl bit
can only be cleared by settin g the FIF O LevelReg register’s FlushBuffer bit.
The MFRC523 can generate an interrupt signal when:
ComIEnReg register’s LoAlertIEn bit is set to logic 1. It activates pin IRQ when
Status1Reg register’s LoAlert bit changes to logic 1.
ComIEnReg register’s HiAlertIEn bit is set to logic 1. It activates pin IRQ when
Status1Reg register’s HiAlert bit changes to logic 1.
If the maximum number of WaterLevel[5:0] bits (as set in the WaterLevelReg register) or
less are stored in the FIFO buffe r, the HiAlert bit is set to logic 1. It is generated according
to Equation 3:
(3)
If the number of WaterLevel[5:0] bits (as set in the WaterLevelReg register) or less are
stored in the FIFO buffer, the LoAlert bit is set to logic 1. It is generated according to
Equation 4:
(4)
8.6 Interrupt request system
The MFRC523 indicates certain event s by setting the Status1Reg register’s IRq bit and, if
activated, by pin IRQ. The signal on pin IRQ can be used to interrupt the host using its
interrupt handling capabilities. This allows the implementation of efficient host software.
8.6.1 Interrupt sources overview
Table 19 shows the available interrupt bits , the corresponding source and the condition for
its activation. The ComIrqReg register’s TimerIRq interrupt bit indicates an interrupt set by
the timer unit which is set when the timer decrements from 1 to 0.
The ComIrqReg register’s TxIRq bit indica tes that the transmitter has finished. If the state
changes from send ing data to tran smitting the end of the frame pattern, the transmitter
unit automatically sets the interrupt bit. The CRC coprocessor sets the DivIrqReg
register’s CRCIRq bit after processing all the FIFO buffer data which is indicated by
CRCReady bit = 1.
The ComIrqReg register’s RxIRq bit indicates an interrupt when the end of the received
data is detected. The ComIrqReg register’s IdleIRq bit is set if a command finishes and
the Command[3:0] value in the CommandReg register changes to idle (see Table 150 on
page 68).
The ComIrqReg register’s HiAlertIRq bit is set to logic 1 when the Status1Reg register’s
HiAlert bit is set to logic 1 which means that the FI FO buffer has reached the level
indicated by the WaterLevel[5:0] bits.
The ComIrqReg register’s LoAlertIRq bit is set to logic 1 when the Status1Reg register’s
LoAlert bit is set to logic 1 which means that the FIFO buffer has reached the level
indicated by the WaterLevel[5:0] bits.
HiAlert 64 FIFOLengthWaterLevel=
LoAlert FIFOLength WaterLevel=
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The ComIrqReg register’s ErrIRq bit indicate s an error detected by the contactless UART
during send or receive. This is indicated when any bit is set to logic 1 in register ErrorReg.
8.7 T imer unit
The MFRC523A has a timer unit which the externa l host can use to ma nage timing tasks.
The timer unit can be used in one of the following timer/co unter configurations:
Timeout counte r
Watchdog counter
Stop watch
Programmable one shot
Periodic trigger
The timer unit can be used to measure the time interval between two events or to indicate
that a specific event occurred after a specific time. The timer can be triggered by events
explained in the paragraphs below. The timer does not influence any internal events, for
example, a time-out during data reception does not automatically influence the reception
process. In addition, several timer-related bits can be use d to generate an interrupt.
The timer has an input clock of 13.56 MHz derived from the 27.12 MHz quartz crystal
oscillator. The timer consists of two stages: prescaler and counter.
The prescaler (TPrescaler) is a 12-bit counter . The reload values (TReloadV al_Hi[7:0] and
TReloadVal_Lo[7:0]) for TPrescaler can be set between 0 and 4095 in the TModeReg
register ’s TPrescaler_Hi[3:0] bits and TPrescalerReg register’s TPrescaler_Lo[7:0] bits.
The reload value for the counter is defined by 16 bits between 0 and 65535 in the
TReloadReg register.
The current value of the timer is indicated in the TCounterValReg register.
When the counter reaches 0, an interrupt is automatically generated, indicated by the
ComIrqReg register’s TimerIRq bit setting. If enabled, this event can be indicated on
pin IRQ. The TimerIRq bit can be set and reset by the host. Depending on the
configuration, the timer will stop at 0 or restart with the value set in the TReloadReg
register.
The timer status is indicated by the Status1Reg register’s TRunning bit.
Table 19. Interrupt sources
Interrupt flag Interrupt source Trigger action
TimerIRq timer unit the timer counts from 1 to 0
TxIRq transmitter a transmitted data stream ends
CRCIRq CRC coprocessor all data from the FIFO buffer has been processed
RxIRq receiver a received data stream ends
IdleIRq ComIrqReg register command execution finishes
HiAlertIRq FIFO buffer the FIFO buffer is almost full
LoAlertIRq FIFO buffer the FIFO buffer is almost empty
ErrIRq contactless UART an error is detected
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The timer can be started manually using the ControlReg register’s TStartNow bit and
stopped using the ControlReg register’s TStopNow bit.
The timer can also be activated automatically to meet any d edicated protocol
requirements, by setting the TModeReg register’s TAuto bit to logic 1.
The delay time of a timer stage is set by the reload value + 1. The total delay time (td) is
calculated using Equation 5:
(5)
or if the TPrescalEven bit is set, using Equation 6:
(6)
An example of calculating total delay time (td) is shown in Equation 7, wh er e th e
TPrescaler value = 4095 and TReloadVal = 65535:
(7)
Example: To give a delay time of 25 s requires 339 clock cycles to be counted and a
TPrescaler value of 169. This configures the timer to count up to 65535 time-slots for
every 25 s period.
8.8 Power reduction modes
8.8.1 Hard power-down
Hard power-down is enabled when pin NRSTPD is LOW. This turns of f all internal current
sinks including the oscillator. All digit al input buff ers are separated from the input pins and
clamped internally (except pin NRSTPD). The output pins are frozen at either a HIGH or
LOW level.
8.8.2 Soft power-down mode
Soft power-down mode is entered immediately af ter the CommandReg register’s
PowerDown bit is set to logic 1. All internal current sinks are switched off, including the
oscillator buffer. However, the digital input buffers are not separated from the input pins
and keep their functionality. The digital output pins do not change their state.
During soft power-down, all register values, the FIFO buffer content and the configuration
keep their current contents.
After setting the PowerDown bit to logic 0 , it takes 1024 clocks until the Soft power-down
mode is exited indicated by the PowerDown bit. Setting it to logic 0 does not immediately
clear it. It is automatically cleared by the MFRC523 when Soft power-down mode is
exited.
Remark: When the internal oscillator is used, time (tosc) is required for the oscillator to
become stable. This is because the internal oscillator is supplied by VDDA and any clock
cycles will not be detected by the internal logic until VDDA is stable. It is recommended for
the serial UART, to first send the value 55h to the MFRC523. The osc illator must be stable
tdTPrescaler 2 1+TReloadVal 1+
13.56 MHz
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=
tdTPrescaler 2 2+TReloadVal 1+
13.56 MHz
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=
39.59 s 4095 2 1+65535 1+
13.56 MHz
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
=
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for further access to the registers. To ensure this, perform a read access to address 0 until
the MFRC523 answers to the last read command with the register content of address 0.
This indicates that the MFRC523 is ready.
8.8.3 Transmitter Power-down mode
The Transmitter Power-down mode switches off the internal antenna drivers and the RF
field. Transmitter Power-down mode is entered by setting either the TxControlReg
register’s Tx1RFEn bit or Tx2RFEn bit to logic 0.
8.9 Oscillator circuit
The clock applied to the MFRC523 provides a time basis for the synchronous system’s
encoder and decoder. The stability of the clock frequency is an important factor for correct
operation. To obtain optimum perfor mance, clock jitter must be reduced as much as
possible. This is best achieved using the internal oscillator buffer with the recommended
circuitry.
If an external clock source is used, the clock signal must be applied to pin OSCIN. In this
case, be very careful in optimizing clock duty cycle and clock jitter. Ensure the clock
quality has been verified.
8.10 Reset and oscillator start-up time
8.10.1 Reset timing requirements
The reset signal is filtered by a hysteresis circuit and a spike filter before it enters the
digital circuit. The spike filter rejects signals shorter than 10 ns. In order to perform a reset,
the signal must be LOW for at least 100 ns.
8.10.2 Oscillator start-up time
If the MFRC523 has been set to a Power -down mode o r is powered by a VDDX supply, the
start-up time for the MFRC523 depends on the oscillator used and is shown in Figure 23.
The time (tstartup) is the start-up time of the crystal oscillator circuit. The crystal oscillator
start-up time is defined by the crystal.
The time (td) is the internal delay time of the MFRC523 whe n the clock signal is stabl e
before the MFRC523 can be addressed.
Fig 22. Quartz crystal co nn e ction
001aal162
MFRC523
27.12 MHz
OSCOUT OSCIN
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The delay time is calculated by:
(8)
The time (tosc) is the sum of td and tstartup.
9. MFRC523 registers
9.1 Register bit behavior
Depending on the functionality o f a register, the access conditions to the register can vary.
In principle, bits with same behavior are grouped in common registers. The access
conditions are described in Table 20.
Fig 23. Oscillator start-up time
td1024
27 s
--------------37.74 s==
001aak596
tstartup td
tosc
t
device activation
oscillator
clock stable
clock ready
Table 20. Behavior of register bits and their designation
Abbreviation Behavior Description
R/W read and write These bits can be written and read by the microcontroller. Since
they are used only for control purposes, their content is not
influenced by internal state machines, for example the
ComIEnReg register can be written and read by the
microcontroller. It will also be read by internal state machines but
never changed by them.
D dynamic These bits can be written and read by the microcontroller.
Nevertheless, they can also be written automatically by internal
state machines, for example the CommandReg register changes
its value automatically after the execution of the command.
R read only These register bits hold values which are determined by internal
states only, for example the CRCReady bit cannot be written
externally but shows internal states.
W write only Reading these registe r bi ts always return s zero.
reserved - Registers which are indicated as being reserved must not be
changed. However, in the case of a write access, it is
recommended that 0 is always written.
- Registers which are indicated as bei ng reserved for future use or
are for production tests must not be changed.
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9.1.1 MFRC523 register overview
Table 21. MFRC523 register overview
Subaddress
(Hex) Register name Function Refer to
Page 0: Command and status
00h Reserved reserved for future use Table 22 on page 36
01h CommandReg starts and stops command execution Table 24 on page 36
02h ComlEnReg enable and disable inte rrupt request control bits Table 26 on page 37
03h DivlEnReg enable and disable interrupt request control bits Tab l e 28 on page 37
04h ComIrq R eg interrupt request bits Table 30 on page 38
05h DivIrqReg interrupt request bits Table 32 on page 39
06h ErrorReg error bits showing the error status of the last command executed Table 36 on page 40
07h Status1Reg communication status bits Table 36 on page 40
08h Status2Reg receiver and transmitter status bits Table 38 on page 41
09h FIFODataReg input and output of 64 byte FIFO buffer Table 40 on page 42
0Ah FIFOLevelReg number of bytes stored in the FIFO buffer Table 42 on page 42
0Bh WaterLevelReg level for FIFO underflow and overflow warning Table 44 on page 43
0Ch ControlReg miscellaneous control registers Table 46 on page 43
0Dh BitFramingReg adjustments for bit-oriented frames Table 48 on page 44
0Eh CollReg bit position of the first bit-co llision detected on the RF interface Table 50 on page 44
0Fh Reserved reserved for future use Table 52 on page 45
Page 1: Command
10h Reserved reserved for future use Table 54 on page 45
11h Mod eReg defines general mode s for transmitting and receiving Table 56 on page 46
12h TxModeReg defines transmission data rate and framing Table 58 on page 47
13h RxModeReg defines reception data rate and framing Table 60 on page 47
14h TxControlReg controls the antenna driver pins TX1 and TX2 Table 62 on page 48
15h TxASKReg controls the setting of the transmission modul ation Table 64 on page 49
16h TxSelReg selects the internal sources for the antenna driver Table 66 on page 49
17h RxSelReg selects internal receiver settings Table 68 on page 50
18h RxThresholdReg selects thresholds for the bit decoder Table 70 on page 51
19h DemodReg defines demodulator settings Table 72 on page 51
1Ah Reserved reserved for future use Table 74 on page 52
1Bh Reserved reserved for future use Table 76 on page 52
1Ch MfTxReg controls MIFARE communication transmit parameters Table 78 on page 52
1Dh MfRxReg controls MIFARE communication receive parameters Table 80 on page 53
1Eh TypeBReg controls the ISO/IEC 14443 B functionality Table 82 on page 53
1Fh SerialSpeedReg selects the speed of the serial UART interface Table 84 on page 54
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Page 2: Configuration
20h Reserved reserved for future use Table 86 on page 55
21h CRCResultReg shows the MSB and LSB values of the CRC calculation Table 88 on page 55
22h CRCResultReg shows the MSB and LSB values of the CRC calculation Table 90 on page 55
23h Reserved reserved for future use Table 92 on page 56
24h ModWidthReg controls the Mo dW i dth setting Table 94 on page 56
25h Reserved reserved for future use Table 96 on page 56
26h RFCfgReg configures the receiver gain Table 98 on page 57
27h GsNReg selects the conductance of the antenna driver pins TX1 and TX2
for modulation Table 100 on
page 57
28h CWGsPReg defines the conductance of the p-driver output when not active Table 102 on
page 58
29h ModGsPReg defines the conductance of the p-driver output during modulation Table 104 on
page 58
2Ah TModeReg defines settings fo r the internal timer Table 106 on
page 58
2Bh TPrescalerReg Table 108 on
page 59
2Ch TReloadReg defines the 16-bit timer reload value Table 110 on page 60
2Dh TReloadReg defines the 16-bit timer reload value Table 112 on page 60
2Eh TCounterValReg shows the 16-bit timer value Table 114 on page 60
2Fh TCounterValReg shows the 16-bit timer value Table 116 on page 61
Page 3: Test register
30h Reserved reserved for future use Table 118 on page 61
31h TestSel1Reg general test signal configuration Table 120 on
page 61
32h TestSel2Reg general test signal configuration and PRBS control Table 122 on
page 62
33h TestPinEnReg e nables pin output driver on pins D1 to D7 Table 124 on
page 62
34h TestPinValueReg defines the values for D1 to D7 when it is used as an I/O bus Table 126 on
page 63
35h TestBusReg shows the status of the internal test bus Table 128 on
page 63
36h AutoTestReg controls the digital self-test Table 130 on
page 63
37h VersionReg shows the software version Table 132 on
page 64
38h AnalogTestReg controls the pins AUX1 an d AUX2 Table 134 on
page 64
39h TestDAC1Reg d efines the test value for TestDAC1 Table 136 on
page 66
Table 21. MFRC523 register overview …continued
Subaddress
(Hex) Register name Function Refer to
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3Ah TestDAC2Reg defines the test value for TestDAC2 Table 138 on
page 66
3Bh TestADCReg shows the value of ADC I-channel and Q-channel Table 140 on
page 66
3Ch to 3Fh Reserved reserved for production tests Table 142 to
Table 148 on
page 67
Table 21. MFRC523 register overview …continued
Subaddress
(Hex) Register name Function Refer to
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9.2 Register descriptions
9.2.1 Page 0: Command and status
9.2.1.1 Reserved register 00h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.1.2 CommandReg register
Starts and stops command execution.
Table 22. Reserved register (address 00h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 23. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
Table 24. CommandReg reg ister (address 01h); reset value: 20h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol: 00 RcvOff PowerDown Command[3:0]
Access: - R/W D D
Table 25. CommandRe g register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 6 00 0 reserved
5 RcvOff 1 analog part of the receiver is switched off
4 PowerDown 1 Soft Power-down mode entered
0 MFRC523 starts the wake up procedure during which this bit is
read as a logic 1; it is read as a logic 0 when the MFRC523 is
ready; see Section 8.8.2 on page 30
Remark: The PowerDown bit cannot be set when the SoftReset
command is activated
3 to 0 Command [3:0] - activates a command based on th e C ommand value; read i n g th i s
register shows which command is executed; see Section 10.3 on
page 68
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9.2.1.3 ComIEnReg register
Control bits to enable and disable the p assing of interrupt requests.
9.2.1.4 DivIEnReg register
Control bits to enable and disable the p assing of interrupt requests.
Table 26. ComIEnReg register (address 02h); reset value: 80h b it allo cation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol IRqInv TxIEn RxIEn IdleIEn HiAlertIEn LoAlertIEn ErrIEn TimerIEn
Access R/W R/W R/W R/W R/W R/W R/W R/W
Table 27. ComIEnReg register bit description s
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 IRqInv 1 signal on pin IRQ is inverted with respect to the S tatus1Reg register’s IRq
bit
0 signal on pin IRQ is equal to the IRq bit; in combination with the
DivIEnReg register’s IRqPushPull bit, the default value of logic 1 ensures
that the output level on pin IRQ is 3-state
6 TxIEn - allows the transmitter interrupt request (TxIRq bit) to be propagated to pin
IRQ
5 RxIEn - allows the receiver interrupt request (RxIRq bit) to be propagated to pin
IRQ
4 IdleIEn - allows the idle interrupt request (IdleIRq bit) to be propagated to pin IRQ
3 HiAlertIEn - allows the high alert interrupt request (HiAlertIRq bit) to be propagated to
pin IRQ
2 LoAlertIEn - allows the low alert interrupt request (LoAlertIRq bit) to be propagated to
pin IRQ
1 ErrIEn - allows the error interrupt request (ErrIRq bit) to be propagated to pin IRQ
0 TimerIEn - allows the timer interrupt request (TimerIRq bit) to be propagated to pin
IRQ
Table 28. DivIEnReg register (address 03h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol IRQPushPull reserved MfinActIEn reserved CRCIEn reserved
Access R/W - R/W - R/W -
Table 29. DivIEnReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 IRQPushPull 1 pin IRQ is a standard CMOS output pin
0 pin IRQ is an open-drain output pin
6 to 5 reserved - reserved for future use
4 MfinActIEn - allows the MFIN active interrupt reque st to be propagated to
pin IRQ
3 reserved - reserved for future use
2 CRCIEn - allows the CRC interrupt request, indicated by the DivIrqReg
register’s CRCIRq bit, to be propagated to pin IRQ
1 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
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9.2.1.5 ComIrqReg register
Interrupt request bits.
Table 30. ComIrqReg reg ister (address 04h); reset value: 14h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol Set1 TxIRq RxIRq IdleIRq HiAlertIRq LoAlertIRq ErrIRq TimerIRq
Access W D D D D D D D
Table 31. ComIrqReg register bit descriptions
All bits in the ComIrqReg register are cleared by software.
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 Set1 1 indicates that the marked bits in the ComIrqReg register are set
0 i ndicates that the marke d bits in the ComIrqReg register are cleared
6 TxIRq 1 set immediately after the last bit of the transmitted data was sent out
5 RxIRq 1 receiver has detected the end of a val id data stream
if the RxModeReg register’s RxNoErr bit is set to logic 1, the RxIRq bit is
only set to logic 1 when data bytes are available in the FIFO
4 IdleIRq 1 if a command terminates, for example, when the CommandReg changes
its value from any command to the Idle command (see Table 150 on
page 68)
if an unknown command is started, the CommandReg register
Command[3:0] value changes to the idle state and the IdleIRq bit is set
the microcontroller starting the Idle command does not set the IdleIRq bit
3 HiAlertIRq 1 the Status1Reg register’s HiAlert bit is set
the HiAlertIRq bit stores this event and can only be reset as indicated by
the Set1 bit in this register
2 LoAlertIRq 1 Status1Reg register’s LoAlert bit is set
the LoAlertIRq bit stores this event and can only be reset as indicated by
the Set1 bit in this register
1 ErrIRq 1 any error bit in the ErrorReg register is set
0 TimerIRq 1 the timer decrements the timer value in register TCounterValReg to zero
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9.2.1.6 DivIrqReg register
Interrupt request bits.
Table 32. DivIrqReg register (address 05h); reset value: x0h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol Set2 reserved MfinActIRq reserved CRCIRq reserved
Access W - D - D -
Table 33. DivIrqReg register bit descrip tions
All bits in the DivIrqReg register are cleared by software.
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 Set2 1 indicates that the marked bits in the DivIrqReg register are set
0 indicates that the marked bits in the DivIrqReg register are cleared
6 to 5 reserved - reserved for future use
4 MfinActIRq 1 MFIN is active; this interrupt is set when either a rising or falling signal
edge is detected
3 reserved - reserved for future use
2 CRCIRq 1 the CalcCRC command is active and all data is processed
1 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
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9.2.1.7 ErrorReg register
Error bit register showing the error status of the last command executed.
[1] Command execution clears all error bits except the TempErr bit. Cannot be set by software.
9.2.1.8 Status1Reg register
Contains status bits of the CRC, interrupt and FIF O bu ffer.
Table 34. ErrorReg register (ad dre ss 06h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol WrErr TempErr reserved BufferOvfl CollErr CRCErr ParityErr ProtocolErr
Access R R - R R R R R
Table 35. ErrorReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 WrErr 1 data is written into the FIFO buffer by the host during the MFAuthent
command or if data is written into the FIFO buffer by the host during the
time between sending the last bit on the RF interface and receiving the
last bit on the RF interface
6 TempErr[1] 1 internal temperature sensor detects overheating, in which case the
antenna drivers are automati ca l ly switched of f
5 reserved - reserved for future use
4 BufferOvfl 1 the host or a MFRC523’s internal state machine (e.g. receiver) tries to
write data to the FIFO buffer even though it is already full
3 CollErr 1 a bit-collision is detected
cleared automati cally at receiver start-up phase
only valid du ri n g th e bit w ise anticollisi o n at 106 kBd
always set to logic 0 during communication pro toco ls at 212 kBd,
424 kBd and 848 kBd
2 CRCErr 1 the RxModeReg register’s RxCRCEn bit is set and the CRC calculation
fails
automatically cleared to logic 0 during receiver start-up phase
1 ParityErr 1 parity check failed
automatically cleared during receiver start-up phase
only valid for ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFA RE communication at 106 kBd
0 ProtocolErr 1 set to logic 1 if the SOF is incorrect
automatically cleared during receiver start-up phase
bit is only valid for 106 kBd
during the MF Authent command, the ProtocolErr bit is set to logic 1 if the
number of bytes received in one data stream is incorrect
Table 36. Status1Reg register (address 07h); reset value: 21h bit alloca tion
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved CRCOk CRCReady IRq TRunning reserved HiAlert LoAlert
Access - R R R R - R R
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9.2.1.9 Status2Reg register
Contains status bits of the receiver, transmitter and dat a mode detector.
Table 37. Status1Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 reserved - reserved for future use
6 CRCOk 1 the CRC result is zero
the CRCOk bit is undefined for data transmission and reception: use
the ErrorReg register’s CRCErr bit
indicates the status of the CRC coprocessor, during calculation the
value changes to logic 0, when the calculation is done correctly the
value changes to logic 1
5 CRCReady 1 the CRC calculation has finished; on ly valid for the CRC coprocessor
calculation using the CalcCRC command
4 IRq - indicates if any interrupt source requests attention with respect to the
setting of the interrupt enable bits: see the ComIEnReg and DivIEnReg
registers
3 TRunning 1 MFRC523’s timer unit is running, i.e. the timer will decrement the
TCounterValReg register with th e ne xt timer clock
Remark: in gated mode, the TRunning bit is set to logic 1 when the
timer is enabled by TModeReg register’s TGated[1:0] bits; this bit is not
influenced by the gated signal
2 reserved - reserved for future use
1 HiAlert 1 the alert level fo r the number of bytes in the FIFO buffer
(FIFOLength[6:0]) is:
otherwise value = logic 0
Example:
FIFOLength = 60, WaterLevel = 4 then HiAlert = logic 1
FIFOLength = 59, WaterLevel = 4 then HiAlert = logic 0
0 LoAlert 1 the alert level fo r number of bytes in the FIFO buffer (FIFOLength[6:0])
is: otherwise value = logic 0
Example:
FIFOLength = 4, WaterLevel = 4 then LoAlert = logic 1
FIFOLength = 5, WaterLevel = 4 then LoAlert = logic 0
HiAlert 64 FIFOLengthWaterLevel=
LoAlert FIFOLength WaterLevel=
Table 38. Status2Reg register (address 08h); reset value: 00h bit alloca tion
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TempSensClear I2CForceHS reserved MFCrypto1On ModemState[2:0]
Access R/W R/W - D R
Table 39. Status2Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 TempSensClear 1 clears the temperature error if the temperature is below the
alarm limit of 125 C
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9.2.1.10 FIFODataReg register
Input and output of 64 byte FIFO buffer.
9.2.1.11 FIFOLevelReg register
Indicates the number of bytes stored in the FIFO.
6I
2CForceHS I2C-bus input filter settings:
1the I
2C-bus input filter is set to the High-speed mode
independent of the I2C-bus protocol
0the I
2C-bus input filter is set to the I2C-bus protocol used
5 to 4 reserved - reserved
3 MFCrypto1On - indicates that the MIFARE Crypto1 unit is switched on and
all data communication with the card is encrypted; this bit is
cleared by software; can only be set to logic 1 by a
successful execution of the MF Authent command only valid
in Read/Write mode for MIFARE standard cards
2 to 0 ModemState[2:0] - shows the state of the transmitter and receiver state
machines:
000 idle
001 wait for the BitFramingReg register’s StartSend bit
010 TxWait: wait until RF field is present if the TModeReg
register’s TxWaitRF bit is set to logic 1. The minimum
time for TxWait is defined by the TxWaitReg register
011 transmitting
100 RxWait: wait until RF field is present if the TModeReg
register’s TxWaitRF bit is set to logic 1. The minimum
time for RxWait is defined by the RxWaitReg register
101 wait for data
110 receiving
Table 39. Status2Reg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 40. FIFODataReg register (address 09h); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol FIFOData[7:0]
Access D
Table 41. FIFODataReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 FIFOData[7:0] data input and output port for the internal 64-byte FIFO buffer. FIFO
buffer acts as p arallel in/parallel out converter for all serial data stream
inputs and outputs
Table 42. FIFOLevelReg reg is t er (address 0Ah); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol FlushBuffer FIFOLevel[6:0]
Access W R
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9.2.1.12 WaterLevelRe g register
Defines the level for FIFO under- and overflow warning.
9.2.1.13 ControlReg register
Miscellaneous control bits.
Table 43. FIFOLevelReg regist er bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 FlushBuffer 1 immediately clears th e internal FIFO buffer’s read and write
pointer and ErrorReg register’s Buf ferOvfl bit. Reading this bit
always returns 0
6 to 0 FIFOLevel[6:0] - indicates the number of bytes stored in the FIFO buffer . W riting to
the FIFODataReg register increments and reading decrements
the FIFOLevel value
Table 44. WaterLevelReg register (address 0Bh); reset value: 08h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved WaterLevel[5:0]
Access - R/W
Table 45. WaterLevelReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 6 reserved reserved for future use
5 to 0 WaterLevel[5:0] defines a warning level to indicate a FIFO buffer overflow or underflow:
Status1Reg register’s HiAlert bit is set to logic 1 if the remaining
number of bytes in the FIFO buffer space is equal to, or less than the
defined number of WaterLevel[5:0] bits
St atus1Reg register’s LoAlert bit is set to logic 1 if equal to, or less
than the WaterLevel[5:0] bits in the FIFO buffer
Remark: to calculate values for HiAlert and LoAlert, see
Section 9.2 .1.9 on page 41.
Table 46. ControlReg register (address 0Ch); reset value: 10h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TStopNow TStartNow reserved RxLastBits[2:0]
Access W W - R
Table 47. ControlReg re gister bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 TStopNow 1 timer stops immediately
6 TStartNow 1 timer starts immediately. Reading this bit always returns it to 0
5 to 3 reserved - reserved for future use
2 to 0 RxLastBits[2:0] - indicates the number of valid bits in the last received byte. If this
value is zero, the whole byte is valid
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9.2.1.14 BitFramingReg register
Adjustments for bit-oriented frames.
9.2.1.15 CollReg register
Defines the first bit-collision detected on the RF interface.
Table 48. BitFramingReg re gister (address 0Dh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol StartSend RxAlign[2:0] reserved TxLastBits[2:0]
Access W R/W - R/W
Table 49. BitFramingReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 StartSend 1 starts the transmission of data
only valid in combina tion with the Transceive command
6 to 4 RxAlign[2:0] used for reception of bit-oriented frames: defines the bit
position for the first bit received to be stored in the FIFO buffer
example:
0 LSB of the received bit is stored at bit position 0, the second
received bit is stored at bit position 1
1 LSB of the received bit is stored at bit position 1, the second
received bit is stored at bit position 2
7 LSB of the received bit is stored at bit position 7, the second
received bit is stored in the next byte that follows at bit
position 0
These bits are only to be used for bitwise anticollision at
106 kBd, for all other modes they ar e se t to 0
3 reserved - reserved for future use
2 to 0 TxLastBits[2:0] - u sed for transmission of bit oriented frames: defin es the
number of bits of the last byte that will be transmitted. 000b
indicates that all bits of the last byte will be transmitted
Table 50. CollReg register (address 0Eh); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol ValuesAfterColl reserved CollPosNotValid CollPos[4:0]
Access R/W - R R
Table 51. CollReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 ValuesAfterColl 0 all received bits will be cleared after a collision
only used during bitwise anticoll ision at 106 kBd,
otherwise it is set to logic 1
6 reserved - reserved for future use
5 CollPosNotValid 1 no collision detected or the position of the collision is
out of the range of CollPos[4:0]
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9.2.1.16 Reserved register 0Fh
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.2 Page 1: Communication
9.2.2.1 Reserved register 10h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
4 to 0 CollPos[4:0] - shows the bit position of the first detected collision in a
received frame
only data bits are interpreted
example:
00h indicates a bit-collision in the 32nd bit
01h indicates a bit-collision in the 1st bit
08h indicates a bit-collision in the 8th bit
these bits will only be interpreted if the
CollPosNotVa lid bit is set to logic 0
Table 51. CollReg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 52. Reserved register (address 0Fh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 53. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 54. Reserved register (address 10h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 55. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
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9.2.2.2 ModeReg register
Defines general mode settings for transmitting and receiving.
Table 56. ModeReg register (add ress 11h); reset value: 3Fh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol MSBFirst reserved TxWaitRF reserved PolMFin reserved CRCPreset[1:0]
Access R/W - R/W - R/W - R/W
Table 57. ModeReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 MSBFirst 1 CRC coprocessor calculates the CRC with MSB first. In the
CRCResultReg register the values for the CRCResultMSB[7:0]
bits and the CRCResultLSB[7:0] bits are bit reversed
Remark: during RF communication this bit is ignored
6 reserved - reserved for future use
5 T xWaitRF 1 transmitter can only be started if an RF field is generated
4 reserved - reserved for future use
3 PolMFin defines the polarity of pin MFIN
Remark: the internal envelope sign al is encoded active LOW,
changing this bit generates a MFinActIRq event
1 polarity of pin MFIN is active HIGH
0 polarity of pin MFIN is active LOW
2 reserved - reserved for future use
1 to 0 CRCPreset
[1:0] defines the preset value for the CRC coprocessor for the CalcCRC
command
Remark: during any communication, the preset values are
selected automatically according to the definition of bits in the
RxModeReg and TxModeReg registers
00 0000h
01 6363h
10 A671h
11 FFFFh
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9.2.2.3 TxModeReg register
Defines the data rate during transmission.
9.2.2.4 RxModeReg register
Defines the data rate du ring reception.
Table 58. TxModeReg register (address 12h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TxCRCEn TxSpeed[2:0] InvMod TxFraming
Access R/W D R/W D
Table 59. TxModeReg reg iste r bit desc riptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 TxCRCEn 1 enables CRC generation during data transmission
Remark: can only be set to logic 0 at 106 k Bd
6 to 4 TxSpeed[2:0] defines the bit rate during data transmission
the MFRC523 handles transfer speeds up to
848 kBd
000 106 kBd
001 212 kBd
010 424 kBd
011 848 kBd
100 reserved
101 reserved
110 reserved
111 reserved
3 InvMod 1 modulation of transmitted data is inverted
2 to 0 TxFraming[1:0] defines the framing used for data transmission
00 ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE
01 reserved
10 reserved
11 ISO/IEC 14443 B
Table 60. RxModeReg register (address 13h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol RxCRCEn RxSpeed[2:0] RxNoErr RxMultiple RxFraming
Access R/W D R/W R/W D
Table 61. RxModeReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 RxCRCEn 1 enables the CRC calculation during reception
Remark: can only be set to logic 0 at 106 kBd
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9.2.2.5 TxControlReg register
Controls the logical behavior of the antenna driver pins TX1 and TX2.
6 to 4 RxSpeed[2:0] defines the bit rate while receiving data. The MFRC523
manages transfer speeds up to 848 kBd
000 106 kBd
001 212 kBd
010 424 kBd
011 848 kBd
100 reserved
101 reserved
110 reserved
111 reserved
3 RxNoErr 1 an invalid received data stream (less than 4 bits received) will
be ignored and the receiver remains active
2 RxMultiple 0 receiver is deactivated after receiving a data frame
1 able to receive more than one data frame
only valid for data rates above 106 kBd in order to handle the
polling command
after setting this bit, the Receive and T ransceive commands will
not terminate automatically. Multiple reception can only be
deactivated by writing any command (except the Receive
command) to the CommandReg register , or by the host clearing
the bit
if set to logic 1, an error byte is added to the FIFO buffer at the
end of a received data stream which is a copy of the ErrorReg
register value
1 to 0 RxFraming defines the expected framing for data reception
00 ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE
01 reserved
10 reserved
11 ISO/IEC 14443 B
Table 61. RxModeReg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 62. TxControlReg register (address 14h); rese t value: 80h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol InvTx2RF
On InvTx1RF
On InvTx2RF
Off InvTx1RF
Off Tx2CW reserved Tx2RFEn Tx1RFEn
Access R/W R/W R/W R/W R/W - R/W R/W
Table 63. TxControlReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 InvTx2 RFOn 1 output signal on pin TX2 inverted when driver TX2 is enabled
6 InvTx1 RFOn 1 output signal on pin TX1 inverted when driver TX1 is enabled
5 InvTx2 RFOff 1 output signal on pin TX2 inverted when driver TX2 is disabled
4 InvTx1 RFOff 1 output signal on pin TX1 inverted when driver TX1 is disabled
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9.2.2.6 TxASKReg register
Controls transmit modulation settings.
9.2.2.7 TxSelReg register
Selects the internal sources for the analog module.
3 Tx2CW 1 output sign al on pin TX2 continuously delivers the unmodulated
13.56 MHz energy carrier
0 Tx2CW bit is enabled to modulate the 13.56 MHz energy carrier
2 reserved - reserved for future use
1 Tx2 RFEn 1 output signal on pin TX2 delivers the 13.56 MHz energy carrier
modulated by the transmission data
0 Tx1 RFEn 1 output signal on pin TX1 delivers the 13.56 MHz energy carrier
modulated by the transmission data
Table 63. TxControlReg register bit descriptionscontinued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 64. TxASKReg register (address 15h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved Force100ASK reserved
Access - R/W -
Table 65. TxASKReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 reserved - reserved for future use
6 Force100ASK 1 forces 100 % ASK modulation independently of the ModGsPReg
register setting
5 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
Table 66. TxSelReg register (address 16h); reset value: 10h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol: reserved DriverSel[1:0] MFOutSel[3:0]
Access: - R/W R/W
Table 67. TxSelReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 6 reserved - reserved for future use
5 to 4 DriverSel[1:0] - selects the input of drivers TX1 and TX2
00 3-st ate; in sof t power-down the drivers are only in 3-state
mode if the DriverSel[1:0] value is set to 3-state mode
01 modulation signal (envelope) from the internal encoder, Miller
pulse encoded
10 modulation signal (envelope) from pin MFIN
11 HIGH; the HIGH level depends on the setting of bits
InvTx1RFOn/InvTx1RFOff and InvTx2RFOn/InvTx2RFOff
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9.2.2.8 RxSelReg registe r
Selects internal receiver settings.
3 to 0 MFOutSel[3:0] selects the input for pin MFOUT
0000 3-state
0001 LOW
0010 HIGH
0011 test bus signal as defined by the TestSe l1Reg register’s
TstBusBi tSel[2:0] value
0100 modulation signal (envelop e) from the internal encoder, Miller
pulse encoded
0101 serial data stream to be transmitted, data stream before Miller
encoder
0110 reserved
0111 serial data stream received, data stream after Manchester
decoder
1000
to
1111
reserved
Table 67. TxSelReg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 68. RxSelReg register (address 17h); reset value: 84h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol UARTSel[1:0] RxWait[5:0]
Access R/W R/W
Table 69. RxSelReg register bit des cription s
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 6 UARTSel[1:0] selects the input of the contactless UART
00 constant LOW
01 Manchester with subcarrier from pin MFIN
10 modulated signal from the internal analog module, default
11 NRZ coding without subcarrier from pin MFIN which is only
valid for transfer speeds above 106 kBd
5 to 0 RxWait[5:0] - after data transmission the activation of the receiver is dela yed
for RxW ait bit-clocks, during this ‘frame guard time’ any signal on
pin RX is ignored
this parameter is ignored by the Receive command
all other commands, such as Transceive, MFAuthent use this
parameter
the counter starts immediately after the external RF field is
switched on
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9.2.2.9 RxThresholdReg register
Selects thresholds for the bit decoder.
9.2.2.10 DemodReg register
Defines demodulator settings.
Table 70. RxThresholdR eg register (address 18h); reset value: 84h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol MinLevel[3:0] reserved CollLevel[2:0]
Access R/W - R/W
Table 71. RxThresholdReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 4 MinLevel[3:0] defines the minimum signal strength at the decoder input that will be
accepted. If the signal strength is below this level it is not evaluated
3 rese rve d reserved for future use
2 to 0 CollLevel[2:0] defines the minimum signal strength at the decoder input that must be
reached by the weaker half-bit of the Manchester encoded signal to
generate a bit-collision relative to the amplitude of the stronger half-bit
Table 72. DemodReg register (address 19h); reset value: 4Dh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol AddIQ[1:0] FixIQ TPrescal
Even TauRcv[1:0] TauSync[1:0]
Access R/W R/W - R/W R/W
Table 73. DemodReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 6 AddIQ[1:0] - defines the use of I-channel and Q-channel duri ng reception
Remark: the FixIQ bit must be set to logic 0 to enable the
following settings:
00 selects the stronger channel
01 selects the stronger channel and freezes the selected channel
during communication
10 reserved
11 reserved
5 FixIQ 1 if the bits of AddIQ are set to X0, the reception is fixed to
I-channel
if the bits of AddIQ are set to X1, the reception is fixed to
Q-channel
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9.2.2.11 Reserved register 1Ah
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.2.12 Reserved register 1Bh
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.2.13 MfTxReg register
Controls some MIFARE communication transmit parameters.
4 TPrescalEven 0 the following formula is used to calculate fTimer of the prescaler:
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 1).
1 the following formula is used to calculate fTimer of the prescaler:
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 2).
(Default TPrescalEven is logic 0)
3 to 2 TauRcv[1:0] - changes the time-co nstant of the internal PLL during data
reception
Remark: if set to 00b the PLL is frozen during data reception
1 to 0 TauSync[1:0] - changes the time constant of the internal PLL during burst
Table 73. DemodReg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 74. Reserved register (address 1Ah); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 75. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 76. Reserved register (address 1Bh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 77. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 78. MfTxReg register (addr ess 1Ch); reset value: 62h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved TxWait[1:0]
Access - R/W
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9.2.2.14 MfRxReg register
9.2.2.15 TypeBReg register
Configures the ISO/IEC 14443 B functionality.
Table 79. MfTxReg register bit descrip tions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 2 reserved reserved for future use
1 to 0 TxWait defines the additional response time. 7 bits are added to the value of
the register bit by default
Table 80. MfRxReg register (addres s 1Dh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved ParityDisable reserved
Access - R/W -
Table 81. MfRxReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 5 reserved - reserved for future use
4 ParityDisable 1 generation of the parity bit for transmission and the parity check for
receiving is switched off. The received parity bit is handled like a
data bit
3 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
Table 82. TypeBReg register (address 1Eh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol RxSOFReq RxEOFReq reserved EOFSOF
Width NoTxSOF NoTxEOF TxEGT[1:0]
Access R/W R/W - R/W R/W R/W R/W
Table 83. TypeBReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 RxSOFReq 1 requires SOF; a datastream starting without SOF is ignored
0 accepts a datastream starting with or without SOF; an SOF is
removed and not written into the FIFO
6 RxEOFReq 1 requires EOF; a datastream ending without EOF generates a
protocol error
0 accepts a datastream ending with or without EOF; an EOF is
removed and not written into the FIFO
5 reserved - reserved for future use
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9.2.2.16 SerialSpeedReg register
Selects the speed of the serial UART interface.
4 EOFSOFWidth 1 if this bit is set to logic 1 and EOFSOFAdjust bit (AutoTestReg
register) is logic 0, the SOF and EOF will have the maximum
length defined in ISO/IEC 14443 B.
if this bit is set to logic 1 and the EOFSOFAadjust bit is logi c 1:
then
SOF low = (11 ETU 8 cycles) / fclk
SOF high = (2 ETU + 8 cycles) / fclk
EOF low = (11 ETU 8 cycles) / fclk
0 if this bit is cleared and EOFSOFAdjust bit is logic 0, the SOF
and EOF will have the minimum length defined in
ISO/IEC 14443 B.
if this bit is set to logic 0 and the EOFSOFAdju st bit is logic 1
results in an incorrect system behavior in respect to ISO
specification
3 NoTxSOF 1 SOF is suppressed
2 NoTxEOF 1 EOF is suppressed
1 to 0 TxEGT defines EGT bit length
00 no bits
01 1 bit
10 2 bit s
11 3 bit s
Table 83. TypeBReg register bit descriptions …continued
Bit Symbol Value Description
Table 84. SerialSpeedReg register (address 1Fh); reset value: EBh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol BR_T0[2:0] BR_T1[4:0]
Access R/W R/W
Table 85. SerialSpeedReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 5 BR_T0[2:0] factor BR_T0 adj usts the transfe r speed: for description, see
Section 8.3.3.2 on page 12
4 to 0 BR_T1[4:0] factor BR_T1 adj usts the transfe r speed: for description, see
Section 8.3.3.2 on page 12
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9.2.3 Page 2: Configuration
9.2.3.1 Reserved register 20h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.3.2 CRCResultReg reg is ter s
Shows the MSB and LSB values of the CRC calculation.
Remark: The CRC is split into two 8-bit registers.
Table 86. Reserved register (address 20h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 87. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 88. CRCResultReg (higher bits) register (address 21h); reset value: FFh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol CRCResultMSB[7:0]
Access R
Table 89. CRCResultReg register higher bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 CRCResultMSB[7:0] shows the value of the CRCResultReg register’s most
significant byte. Only valid if Status1Reg register’s CRCReady
bit is set to logic 1
Table 90. CRCResultReg (lower bits) register (address 22h); reset value: FFh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol CRCResultLSB[7:0]
Access R
Table 91. CRCResultReg regist er lower bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 CRCResultLSB[7:0] shows the value of the least significant byte of the CRCResultReg
register. Only valid if Status1Reg register’s CRCReady bit is set to
logic 1
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9.2.3.3 Reserved register 23h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.3.4 ModWidthReg regis te r
Sets the modula tion width.
9.2.3.5 Reserved register 25h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
Table 92. Reserved register (address 23h); reset value: 88h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 93. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 94. ModWidthReg register (address 24h); reset value: 26h bit allocatio n
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol ModWidth[7:0]
Access R/W
Table 95. ModWidthReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 ModWidth[7:0] defines the width of the Miller modulation as multiples of the carrier
frequency (ModWidth + 1 / fclk). The maximum value is half the bit
period
Table 96. Reserved register (address 25h); reset value: 87h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 97. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
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9.2.3.6 RFCfgReg register
Configures the receiver gain.
9.2.3.7 GsNReg register
Defines the conduct ance of the antenna dri ver pins TX1 and TX2 for the n- driver when the
driver is switched on.
Table 98. RFCfgReg register (ad dre ss 26h); reset value: 48h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved RxGain[2:0] reserved
Access - R/W -
Table 99. RFCfgReg reg ister bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 reserved - reserved for future use
6 to 4 RxGain[2:0] defines th e receiver’s signal voltage gain factor:
000 18 dB
001 23 dB
010 18 dB
011 23 dB
100 33 dB
101 38 dB
110 43 dB
111 48 dB
3 to 0 reserved - reserved for future use
Table 100. GsNReg register (addres s 27h); reset value: 88h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol CWGsN[3:0] ModGsN[3:0]
Access R/W R/W
Table 101. GsNReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 4 CWGsN[3:0] defines the conductance of the output n-driver during periods witho ut
modulation which can be used to regulate the output power and
subsequently current consumption and operating distance. The value is
only used if driver TX1 or TX2 is switched on
during Soft power-down mode the highest bit is forced to logic 1
Remark: the conductance value is binary-weighted
3 to 0 ModGsN[3:0] defines the conductance of the output n-driver during periods without
modulation which can be used to regulate the modulation index. The
value is only used if driver TX1 or TX2 is switched on
during Soft power-down mode the highest bit is forced to logic 1
Remark: the conductance value is binary weighted
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9.2.3.8 CWGsPReg regis te r
Defines the conductance of the p-driver output during periods of no modulation.
9.2.3.9 ModGsPReg register
Defines the conduct ance of the p-driver output during modulation.
9.2.3.10 TModeReg and TPrescalerReg re gisters
These registers defin e the timer settings.
Remark: The TPr escaler setting higher 4 bit s are in the TM odeReg register and the lower
8 bits are in the TPrescalerReg register.
Table 102. CWGsPReg register (address 28h); reset value: 20h bit alloca tion
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved CWGsP[5:0]
Access - R/W
Table 103. CWGsPReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 6 reserved reserved for future use
5 to 0 CWGsP[5:0] defines the conductance of the p-driver output which can be used to
regulate the output power and subsequently current consumption and
operating distance
during Soft power-down mode the highest bit is forced to logic 1
Remark: the conductance value is binary weighted
Table 104. ModGsPReg register (address 29h); reset value: 20h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved ModGsP[5:0]
Access - R/W
Table 105. ModGsPReg register bit descriptio ns
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 6 reserved reserved for future use
5 to 0 ModGsP[5:0] defines the conductance of the p-driver output during modulation
which can be used to regulate the modulation index. If the TxASKReg
register’s Force100ASK bit is set to logic 1 the value of ModGsP has
no effect
during Soft power-down mode the highest bit is forced to logic 1
Remark: the conductance value is binary weighted
Table 106. TModeReg register (address 2Ah); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TAuto TGated[1:0] TAutoRestart TPrescaler_Hi[3:0]
Access R/W R/W R/W R/W
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Table 107. TModeReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 T Auto 1 the timer starts automatically at the end of the transmission in
all communication modes at all speeds or when InvTxnRFOn
bits are set to logic 1 and the RF field is switched on
when RxMultiple bit in register RxModeReg is logic 0: in
MIFARE mode and ISO/IEC 14443 B at 106 kBd, the timer
stops after the 5th bit (1 start bit, 4 data bits). In all other
modes, the timer stops after the 4th bit
if the RxMultiple bit is set to logic 1, the timer never stops. In
this case the timer can be stopped by setting the TStopNow
bit in register ControlReg to logic 1
0 indicates that the timer is not influenced by the protocol
6 to 5 TGated[1:0] internal timer is runs in gated or non-gated mode
Remark: in gated mode, the S tatus1Reg register’s TRunning
bit is logic 1 when the timer is enabled by the TModeReg
register bits
these bits do not influence the gating signal
00 non-gated mode
01 gated by pin MFIN
10 gated by pin AUX1
11 -
4 TAutoRestart 1 timer automatically restarts its count-down from the 16-bit
timer reload value instead of counting down to zero
0 timer decrements to 0 and the ComIrqReg register’s
TimerIRq bit is set to logic 1
3 to 0 TPrescaler_Hi[3:0] - defines the higher 4 bits of the TPrescaler value
the following formula is used to calculate fTimer if
TPrescalEven bit in Demod Reg is set to logic 0:
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 1).
where TPreScaler = [TPrescaler_Hi:TPrescaler_Lo]
(TPrescaler value on 12 bits). The default TPrescalEven is
logic 0
the following formula is used to calculate fTimer if
TPrescalEven bit in Demod Reg is set to logic 1:
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 2); see Section 8.7
Timer unit
Table 108. TPrescalerReg register (address 2Bh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TPrescaler_Lo[7:0]
Access R/W
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9.2.3.11 TReloadReg register
Defines the 16-bit timer reload value.
Remark: The reload value bits are contained in two 8-bit registers.
9.2.3.12 TCounterValReg register
Contains the timer value.
Remark: The timer value bits are contained in two 8-bit registers.
Table 109. TPrescalerReg register bit desc riptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TPrescaler_Lo[7:0] defines the lower 8 bits of the TPrescaler value
the following formula is used to calculate fTimer if TPrescalEven bit in
Demot Reg is set to logic 0:
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 1)
where TPreScaler = [TPrescaler_Hi:TPrescaler_Lo] (TPrescaler
value on 12 bits). The default TPrescalEven is logic 0;
fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (2 * TPreScaler + 2); see Section 8.7 “Timer
unit
Table 110. TReloadReg (higher bits) register (address 2Ch); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TReloadVal_Hi[7:0]
Access R/W
Table 111. TReloadReg registe r higher bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TReloadVal_Hi[7:0] defines the higher 8 bits of the 16-bit timer reload value. On a
start event, the timer loads the timer reload value. Changing
this register affects the timer only at the next start event
Table 112. TReloadReg (lower bits) register (address 2Dh); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TReloadVal_Lo[7:0]
Access R/W
Table 1 13. TReloadReg register lower bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TReloadVal_Lo[7:0] defines the lower 8 bits of the 16-bit timer reload value. On a
start event, the timer loads the timer reload value. Changing this
register affects the timer only at the next start event
Table 114. TCounterValReg (higher bits) register (address 2Eh); reset value: xxh bit
allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TCounterVal_Hi[7:0]
Access R
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9.2.4 Page 3: Test
9.2.4.1 Reserved register 30h
Functionality is reserved for future use.
9.2.4.2 TestSel1Reg register
General test signal configuration.
Table 115. TCounterValReg register higher bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TCou nterVal_Hi[7:0] timer value higher 8 bits
Table 116. TCounterValReg (lower bits) register (address 2Fh); reset value: xxh bit
allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TCounterVal_Lo[7:0]
Access R
Table 117. TCounterValReg register lower bit descri ptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TCounterVal_Lo[7:0] timer value lower 8 bits
Table 118. Reserved register (address 30h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 76543210
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 119. Reserved register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for future use
Table 120. TestSel1Reg register (add ress 31h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved TstBusBitSel[2:0]
Access - R/W
Table 121. TestSel1Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 3 reserved reserved for future use
2 to 0 TstBusBitSel[2:0] selects a test bus signal which is output at pin MFOUT. If
AnalogSelAux2[3:0] = FFh in AnalogTestReg register, test bus
signal is also output at pins AUX1 or AUX2
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9.2.4.3 TestSel2Reg register
General test signal configuration and PRBS control.
9.2.4.4 TestPinEnReg register
Enables the test bus pin output driver.
Table 122. TestSel2Reg register (add ress 32h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TstBusFlip PRBS9 PRBS15 TestBusSel[4:0]
Access R/W R/W R/W R/W
Table 123. TestSel2Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 TstBusFlip 1 test bus is mapped to the parallel port in the following ord er:
TstBusBit4,TstBusBit3, TstBusBit2, TstBusBit6, TstBusBit5,
TstBusBit0; see Section 16.1 on page 80
6 PRBS9 - starts and enables the PRBS9 sequence according to
ITU-TO150; the data transmission of the defined sequence is
started by the Transmit command
Remark: all relevant registers to transmit data must be
configured before entering PRBS9 mode
5 PRBS15 - starts and enables the PRBS15 sequence according to
ITU-TO150; the data transmission of the defined sequence is
started by the Transmit command
Remark: all relevant registers to transmit data must be
configured before entering PR BS15 mode
4 to 0 TestBusSel[4:0] - sel ects the test bus; see Section 16.1 “Test signals” on page 80
Table 124. TestPinEnReg reg ister (address 33h); reset value: 80h bi t allocatio n
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol RS232LineEn TestPinEn[5:0] reserved
Access R/W R/W -
Table 125. TestPinEnReg reg ister bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 RS232LineEn 0 serial UART lines MX and DTRQ are disabled
6 to 1 Te s tPinEn[5:0] - enables the output driver on one of th e data pins D1 to D7 which
outputs a test signal
Example:
setting bit 1 to logic 1 enables pin D1 output
setting bit 5 to l ogic 1 enables pin D5 output
Remark: If the SPI is used, only pins D1 to D4 can be used. If the
serial UART interface is used and the RS232LineEn bit is set to
logic 1 only pins D1 to D4 can be used.
0 reserved - reserved for future use
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9.2.4.5 TestPinValueReg register
Defines the high and low values for the test port D1 to D7 when it is used as I/O.
9.2.4.6 TestBusReg register
Shows the status of the internal test bus.
9.2.4.7 AutoTestReg register
Controls the digital self-test.
Table 126. TestPinValueReg register (address 34h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol UseIO TestPinValue[5:0] reserved
Access R/W R/W -
Table 127. TestPinValueReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 UseIO 1 enables the I/O functionality for the test port when one of the
serial interfaces is used. The input/output behavior is defined
by value TestPinEn[5:0] in the TestPinEnReg register
6 to 1 TestPinValue[5:0 ] - defines the value of the test port when it is used as I/O and
each output must be enabled by TestPinEn[5:0] in the
TestPinEnReg register
Remark: Reading the register indicates the status of pins D6
to D1 if the UseIO bit is set t o logic 1. If the UseIO bit is set to
logic 0, the value of the TestPinValueReg register is read back.
0 reserved - reserved for future use
Table 128. TestBusReg register (address 35h); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol TestBus[7:0]
Access R
Table 129. TestBusReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 TestBus[7:0] shows the status of the inte rnal test bus. The test bus is selected using
the TestSel2Reg register; see Section 16.1 on page 80
Table 130. AutoTestReg registe r (address 36h); reset value: 40h b it allo cation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved AmpRcv reserved EOFSOF
Adjust SelfTest[3:0]
Access - R/W - R/W R/W
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9.2.4.8 Versi o n Re g re g ister
Shows the MFRC523 software version.
9.2.4.9 AnalogTes t R eg re g i s te r
Determines the analog output test signal at, and status of, pins AUX1 and AUX2.
Table 131. AutoTestReg register bit description s
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 reserved - reserve d for production tests
6 AmpRcv 1 internal signal processing in the receiver chain is performed
non-linearly which increase s the operating distance in
communicatio n mo de s at 106 kBd
Remark: due to non-linearity, the effect of the RxThresholdReg
register’s MinLevel[3:0] and the CollLevel[2:0] values is also
non-linear
5 reserved - reserve d for production tests
4 EOFSOFA djust 0 If set to logic 0 and the EOFSOFwidth bit is set to logic 1 it
results in the maximum length of SOF and EOF according to
ISO/IEC 14443 B
If set to logic 0 and the EOFSOFwidth bit is set to logic 0 it
results in the minimum length of SOF and EOF according to
ISO/IEC 14443 B
1 If this bit is set to logic 1 and the EOF SOFwidth bit is logic 1, it
results in
SOF high = (2 ETU + 8 cycles) / fclk
SOF low = (11 ETU 8 cycles) / fclk
EOF low = (11 ETU 8 cycles) / fclk
3 to 0 SelfTest[3:0] - enables the digital self-test. The self-test can also be started by
the CalcCRC command; see Section 10.3.1.4 “ CalcCRC
command” on page 69. Self-test is enabled by 1001b.
Remark: for default operation the self-test must be disabled
by 0000b
Table 132. VersionReg register (address 37h); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol Version[7:0]
Access R
Table 133. VersionReg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 Version[7:0] indicates current MFRC523 software version
Remark: the current version of the MFRC523 is B1h or B2h
Table 134. AnalogTestReg register (address 38h); reset value: 00h bit alloc ation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol AnalogSelAux1[3:0] AnalogSelAux2[3:0]
Access R/W R/W
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[1] Remark: Current source output; the use of 1 k pull-down resistor on AUXn is recommended.
Table 135. AnalogTestReg register bit descriptio ns
Bit Symbol Value Description
7 to 4 AnalogSelAux1[3:0] controls pin AUX1
0000 3-state
0001 output of TestDAC1 (AUX1), output of TestDAC2 (AUX2)[1]
0010 test signal Corr1[1]
0011 reserved
0100 DAC: test signal MinLevel[1]
0101 DAC: test signal ADC_I[1]
0110 DAC: test signal ADC_Q[1]
0111 reserved
1000 reserved, test signal for production test[1]
1001 reserved
1010 HIGH
1011 LOW
1100 TxActive:
106 kBd: HIGH during start bit, data bit, parity and CRC
212 kBd, 424 kBd and 848 kBd: HIGH during data and
CRC
1101 RxActive:
106 kBd: HIGH during data bit, parity and CRC
212 kBd, 424 kBd and 848 kBd: HIGH during data and
CRC
1110 subcarrier detected:
106 kBd: not applicable
212 kBd: 424 kBd and 848 kBd: HIGH during last part of
data and CRC
1111 test bus bit as defined by the TestSel1Reg registers
TstBusBitSel[2:0] bits
Remark: all test signals are described in Section 16.1 Test
signals” on page 80
3 to 0 AnalogSelAux2[3:0] - controls pin AUX2 (see bit descriptions for AUX1)
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9.2.4.10 TestDAC1Reg register
Defines the test value for TestDAC1.
9.2.4.11 TestDAC2Reg register
Defines the test value for TestDAC2.
9.2.4.12 TestADCReg register
Shows the values of ADC I-channel and Q-channel.
Table 136. TestDAC1Reg re gister (address 39h); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved TestDAC1[5:0]
Access - R/W
Table 137. TestDAC1Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 reserved reserved for production tests
6 reserved reserved for future use
5 to 0 TestDAC1[5:0] defines the test value for TestDAC1. Output of DAC1 can be routed to
AUX1 by setting value AnalogSelAux1[3:0] to 0001b in the
AnalogTestReg register
Table 138. TestDAC2Reg re gister (address 3Ah); reset value: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved TestDAC2[5:0]
Access - R/W
Table 139. TestDAC2Reg register bit descriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 6 reserved reserved for future use
5 to 0 TestDAC2[5:0] defines the test value for TestDAC2. DAC2 output can be routed to
AUX2 by setting value AnalogSelAux2[3:0] to 0001b in the
AnalogTestReg register
Table 140. TestADCReg register (address 3Bh); reset va lue: xxh bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol ADC_I[3:0] ADC_Q[3:0]
Access R R
Table 141. TestADCReg register bit des criptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 4 ADC_I[3:0] ADC I-channel value
3 to 0 ADC_Q[3:0] ADC Q-channel value
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9.2.4.13 Reserved register 3Ch
Functionality reserved for production test.
Table 142. Reserved register (address 3Ch); reset value: FFh bit allo cation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 143. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for production tests
Table 144. Reserved register (ad dress 3Dh); reset value: 00h bi t allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 145. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for production tests
Table 146. Reserved register (address 3Eh); reset value: 03h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 147. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for production tests
Table 148. Reserved register (address 3F h); reset value: 00h bit allocation
Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Symbol reserved
Access -
Table 149. Reserved register bit de scriptions
Bit Symbol Description
7 to 0 reserved reserved for production tests
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10. MFRC523 command set
The MFRC523 operation is deter mined by a st at e machine capable of performing a set of
commands. A command is executed by writing a command code (see Table 150) to the
CommandReg register.
Arguments and data necessary to process a command are exchanged using the FIFO
buffer.
10.1 General description
The MFRC523 operation is deter mined by a st at e machine capable of performing a set of
commands. A command is executed by writing a command code (see Table 150) to the
CommandReg register.
Arguments and/or data necessary to process a command are exchanged via the FIFO
buffer.
10.2 General behavior
Each command that needs a data bit stream (or data byte stream) as an input
immediately processes any data in the FIFO buffer. An exception to this rule is the
Transceive command. Using this command, transmission is started with the
BitFramingReg register’s StartSend bit.
Each command that needs a certain number of arguments, starts processing only
when it has received the correct number of arguments from the FIFO buffer.
The FIFO buffer is not automatically cleared when commands start. This makes it
possible to write command arguments and/or the data bytes to the FIFO buffer and
then start the command.
Each command can be interrupted by the host writing a new command code to the
CommandReg register, for example, the Idle command.
10.3 MFRC523 command overview
Table 150. Command overview
Command Command
code Action
Idle 0000 no action, cancels current command execution
Mem 0001 stores 25 bytes into the internal buffer
Generate RandomID 0010 generates a 10-byte random ID number
CalcCRC 0011 activates the CRC coprocessor or performs a self-test
Transmit 0100 transmits data from the FIFO buffer
NoCmdChange 0111 no command change, can be used to modify the
CommandReg register bits without affecting the command,
for example, the PowerDown bit
Receive 1000 activates th e receiver circuits
T ransceive 1100 transmits data from FIFO buf fer to antenna and automatically
activates the receiver after transmission
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10.3.1 MFRC523 command descriptions
10.3.1.1 Idle mode
Places the MFRC523 in Idle mode. The Idle command also terminates itself.
10.3.1.2 Mem command
Transfers 25 bytes from the FIFO buffer to the internal buffer. To read out the 25 bytes
from the internal buffer the Mem command must be started with an empty FIFO buffer. In
this case, the 25 bytes are transferred from the internal buffer to the FIFO.
During a hard po wer-down (using pin NRSTPD), the 25 b ytes in the internal b uf fer remain
unchanged and are only lost if the power supply is removed from the MFRC523.
This command automatically terminat es when finished and the Idle command becomes
active.
10.3.1.3 Generat e RandomID
This command generate s a 10-byte random nu mber which is initially stored in the inter nal
buf fer. This then overwrites the 10 bytes in the internal 25-byte buffer. This command
automatically terminates when finished and the MFRC523 returns to Idle mode.
10.3.1.4 CalcCRC command
The FIFO buff er content is transferred to the CRC coprocessor and the CRC ca lculation is
started. The calculation result is stored in the CRCResultReg register. The CRC
calculation is not limited to a dedicated number of bytes. The calculation is not stopped
when the FIFO buffer is empty during the data strea m. The next byte written to the FIFO
buffe r is added to the calculation.
The CRC preset value is controlled by the ModeReg register’s CRCPreset[1:0] bits. The
value is loaded in to the CRC co processor when the command starts. This command
must be terminated by writin g a command to the Comman dReg registe r, such as, the Idle
command.
If the AutoTestReg regis te r’s SelfTest[3:0] bits are set correctly, the MFRC523 enters
Self-test mode. Starting the CalcCRC command initiates a digital self-test. The result of
the self-test is written to the FIFO bu ffer.
10.3.1.5 Transmit command
The FIFO buffer content is immediately transmitted after starting this command. Before
transmitting the FIFO buffer content, all relevant registers must be set for data
transmission.
This command automatically terminates when the FIFO buffer is empty. It can be
terminated by another command written to the CommandReg register.
- 1101 reserved for future use
MFAuthent 1110 performs the MIFARE standard authentication as a reader
SoftReset 1111 resets the MFRC523
Table 150. Command overview …continued
Command Command
code Action
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10.3.1.6 NoCmdChange command
This command does not influ ence any running command in the CommandReg register. It
can be used to manipulate any bit except the Comm andReg register Command[3:0] bits,
for example, the RcvOff bit or the PowerDown bit.
10.3.1.7 Receive command
The MFRC523 activates the receiver path and waits for a data stream to be received. The
correct settings must be chosen before starting this command.
This command automatically terminat es when the data stream ends. This is indicated
either by the end of frame pattern or by th e length byte depending o n the selected frame
type and speed.
Remark: If the RxModeReg register’s RxMultiple bit is set to logic 1, the Receive
command does not automatically terminate. It must be terminated by starting anoth er
command in the CommandReg register.
10.3.1.8 Transceive command
This command continuou sly repeats the transmission of data from the FIFO buffer and the
reception of data from the RF field. The first action is transmit and after transmission the
command is changed to receive a data stream.
Each transmit process must be started by setting the BitFramingReg register’s StartSend
bit to logic 1. This command must be cleared by writing any command to the
CommandReg register.
Remark: If the RxModeReg register’s RxMultiple bit is set to logic 1, the Transceive
command never leaves the receive state because this state cannot be cancelled
automatically.
10.3.1.9 MFAuthent command
This command manages MIFARE authentication to enable a secure communication to
any MIFARE card. The following data is written to the FIFO buffer before the command
can be activated :
Authentication command code (60h, 61h)
Block address
Sector key byte 0
Sector key byte 1
Sector key byte 2
Sector key byte 3
Sector key byte 4
Sector key byte 5
Card serial number byte 0
Card serial number byte 1
Card serial number byte 2
Card serial number byte 3
12 bytes in total are writte n to th e FI FO .
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Remark: When the MFAuthent command is active all access to the FIFO buffer is
blocked. However, if there is access to the FIFO bu ffer, the ErrorReg register’s WrErr b it is
set.
This command automatically terminates when the MIFARE card is authenticated and the
Status2Reg register’s MFCrypto1On bit is set to logic 1.
This command does not terminate automatically if the card does not answer, so the timer
must be initialized to automatic mode. In this case, in addition to the IdleIRq bit, the
T imerIRq bit can be used as the ter mination criteria. During authen tication processing, th e
RxIRq bit and TxIRq bit are blocked. The Crypto1On bit is only valid after termination of
the MFAuthent command, either after processing the protocol or writin g Idle to the
CommandReg register.
If an error occurs during authentication, the ErrorReg register’s ProtocolErr bit is set to
logic 1 and the Status2Reg register’s Crypto1On bit is set to logic 0.
10.3.1.10 SoftReset command
This command performs a re set of the device. The configuratio n data of the inter nal buffer
remains unchanged. All registers are set to the r eset values. This command automatically
terminates wh en finish e d.
Remark: The SerialSpeedReg register is reset and therefore the serial data rate is set to
9.6 kBd.
11. Limiting values
Table 151. Limiting values
In accordance with the Absolute Maximum Rating System (IEC 60134).
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Max Unit
VDDA analog supply voltage 0.5 +4.0 V
VDDD digital supply voltage 0.5 +4.0 V
VDD(PVDD) PVDD supply voltage 0.5 +4.0 V
VDD(TVDD) TVDD supply voltage 0.5 +4.0 V
VDD(SVDD) SVDD supply voltage 0.5 +4.0 V
VIinput voltage all input pins except pins MFIN and
RX VSS(PVSS) 0.5 VDD(PVDD) + 0.5 V
pin MFIN VSS(PVSS) 0.5 VDD(SVDD) + 0.5 V
Ptot total power dissipation per package; VDDD in shortcut
mode - 200 mW
Tjjunction temperature - 100 C
VESD electrostatic discharge voltage HBM; 1500 , 100 pF;
JESD22-A114-B - 2000 V
MM; 0.75 H, 200 pF;
JESD22-A114-A - 200 V
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12. Recommended operating conditions
[1] Supply voltages below 3 V reduce the performance in, for example, the achievable operating distance.
[2] VDDA, VDDD and VDD(TVDD) must always be the same voltage.
[3] VDD(PVDD) must always be the same or lower voltage than VDDD.
13. Thermal characteristics
14. Characteristics
Table 152. Operating conditions
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
VDDA analog supply voltage VDD(PVDD) VDDA = VDDD = VDD(TVDD);
VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V [1][2] 2.53.33.6V
VDDD digital supply voltage VDD(PVDD) VDDA = VDDD = VDD(TVDD);
VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V [1][2] 2.53.33.6V
VDD(TVDD) TVDD supply voltage VDD(PVDD) VDDA = VDDD = VDD(TVDD);
VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V [1][2] 2.53.33.6V
VDD(PVDD) PVDD supply voltage VDD(PVDD) VDDA = VDDD = VDD(TVDD);
VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V [3] 1.61.83.6V
VDD(SVDD) SVDD supply voltage VSSA =V
SSD =V
SS(PVSS) =V
SS(TVSS) =0V 1.6 - 3.6 V
Tamb ambient temperature HVQFN32 25 - +85 C
Table 153. Thermal characteristics
Symbol Parameter Conditions Package Typ Unit
Rth(j-a) thermal resistance from junction to
ambient in still air with exposed pin soldered on a
4 layer JEDEC PCB HVQFN32 40 K/W
Table 154. Characteristics
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
Input characteristics
Pins EA, I2C and NRSTPD
ILI input leakage
current 1-+1 A
VIH HIGH-level input
voltage 0.7VDD(PVDD) -- V
VIL LOW-level input
voltage - - 0.3VDD(PVDD) V
Pin MFIN
ILI input leakage
current 1-+1 A
VIH HIGH-level input
voltage 0.7VDD(SVDD) -- V
VIL LOW-level input
voltage - - 0.3VDD(SVDD) V
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Pin SDA
ILI input leakage
current 1-+1 A
VIH HIGH-level input
voltage 0.7VDD(PVDD) -- V
VIL LOW-level input
voltage - - 0.3VDD(PVDD) V
Pin RX[1]
Viinput voltage 1-V
DDA +1 V
Ciinput capacitance VDDA = 3 V; receiver active;
VRX(p-p) = 1 V; 1.5 V (DC)
offset
-10- pF
Riinput resistance VDDA = 3 V; receiver active;
VRX(p-p) = 1 V; 1.5 V (DC)
offset
-350-
Input voltage range; see Figure 24
Vi(p-p)(min) minimum
peak-to-peak input
voltage
Manchester encoded;
VDDA =3V -100- mV
Vi(p-p)(max) maximum
peak-to-peak input
voltage
Manchester encoded;
VDDA =3V -4- V
Input sensitivity; see Figure 24
Vmod modulation voltage minimum Manchester
encoded; VDDA =3V;
RxGain[2:0] = 111b (48 dB)
-5- mV
Pin OSCIN
ILI input leakage
current 1-+1 A
VIH HIGH-level input
voltage 0.7VDDA -- V
VIL LOW-level input
voltage - - 0.3VDDA V
Ciinput capacitance VDDA = 2.8 V; DC = 0.65 V;
AC = 1 V (p-p) -2- pF
Input/output characteristics
pins D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7
ILI input leakage
current 1-+1 A
VIH HIGH-level input
voltage 0.7VDD(PVDD) -- V
VIL LOW-level input
voltage - - 0.3VDD(PVDD) V
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage VDD(PVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
DD(PVDD) 0.4 - VDD(PVDD) V
VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage VDD(PVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
SS(PVSS) -V
SS(PVSS) + 0.4 V
Table 154. Characteristics …con tinued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
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IOH HIGH-level output
current VDD(PVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
IOL LOW - l e vel output
current VDD(PVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
Output characteristics
Pin MFOUT
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage VDD(SVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
DD(SVDD) 0.4 - VDD(SVDD) V
VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage VDD(SVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
SS(PVSS) -V
SS(PVSS) + 0.4 V
IOL LOW - l e vel output
current VDD(SVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
IOH HIGH-level output
current VDD(SVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
Pin IRQ
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage VDD(PVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
DD(PVDD) 0.4 - VDD(PVDD) V
VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage VDD(PVDD) =3V; I
O=4mA V
SS(PVSS) -V
SS(PVSS) + 0.4 V
IOL LOW - l e vel output
current VDD(PVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
IOH HIGH-level output
current VDD(PVDD) =3V - - 4 mA
Pins AUX1 and AUX2
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage VDDD =3V; I
O=4mA V
DDD 0.4 - VDDD V
VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage VDDD =3V; I
O=4mA V
SS(PVSS) -V
SS(PVSS) + 0.4 V
IOL LOW - l e vel output
current VDDD =3V - - 4 mA
IOH HIGH-level output
current VDDD =3V - - 4 mA
Pins TX1 and TX2
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage VDD(TVDD) =3V;
IDD(TVDD) =32mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 3Fh
VDD(TVDD) 0.15 - - V
VDD(TVDD) =3V;
IDD(TVDD) =80mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 3Fh
VDD(TVDD) 0.4 - - V
VDD(TVDD) = 2.5 V;
IDD(TVDD) =32mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 3Fh
VDD(TVDD) 0.24 - - V
VDD(TVDD) = 2.5 V;
IDD(TVDD) =80mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 3Fh
VDD(TVDD) 0.64 - - V
Table 154. Characteristics …con tinued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
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VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage VDD(TVDD) =3V;
IDD(TVDD) =32mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 0Fh
- - 0.15 V
VDD(TVDD) =3V;
IDD(TVDD) =80mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 0Fh
--0.4V
VDD(TVDD) = 2.5 V;
IDD(TVDD) =32mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 0Fh
- - 0.24 V
VDD(TVDD) = 2.5 V;
IDD(TVDD) =80mA;
CWGsP[5:0] = 0Fh
- - 0.64 V
Current consumption
Ipd power-down current V DDA =V
DDD =V
DD(TVDD) =
VDD(PVDD) =3V
hard power-down; pin
NRSTPD set LOW [2] --5A
soft power-down; RF
level detector on [2] --10A
IDDD digital supply
current pin DVDD; VDDD =3V - 6.5 9 mA
IDDA analog supply
current pin AVDD; V DDA =3V;
CommandReg register’s
bit RcvOff = 0
-710mA
pin AVDD; receive r
switched off; VDDA =3V;
CommandReg register’s
bit RcvOff = 1
-35mA
IDD(PVDD) PVDD supply
current pin PVDD [3] --40mA
IDD(TVDD) TVDD supply
current pin TVDD; continuous wave [4][5][6] -60100mA
IDD(SVDD) SVDD supply
current pin SVDD [7] --4mA
Clock frequency
fclk clock frequency - 27.12 - MHz
clk clock duty cycle 40 50 60 %
tjit jitter time RMS - - 10 ps
Crystal oscillator
VOH HIGH-level output
voltage pin OSCOUT - 1.1 - V
VOL LOW -l e vel output
voltage pin OSCOUT - 0.2 - V
Ciinput capacitance pin OSCOUT - 2 - pF
pin OSCIN - 2 - pF
Table 154. Characteristics …con tinued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
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[1] The voltage on pin RX is clamped by internal diodes to pins AVSS and AVDD.
[2] Ipd is the total current for all supplies.
[3] IDD(PVDD) depends on the overall load at the digital pins.
[4] IDD(TVDD) depends on VDD(TVDD) and the external circuit connected to pins TX1 and TX2.
[5] During typical circuit operation, the overall current is below 100 mA.
[6] Typical value using a complementary driver configuration and an antenna matched to 40 between pins TX1 and TX2 at 13.56 MHz.
[7] IDD(SVDD) depends on the load at pin MFOUT.
14.1 Timing characteristics
Typical input requirements
fxtal crystal frequency - 27.12 - MHz
ESR equivalent series
resistance --100
CLload capacitance - 10 - pF
Pxtal crystal power
dissipation -50100W
Table 154. Characteristics …con tinued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
Fig 24. Pin RX input voltage range
001aak012
VMID
0 V
1 V
V
DDA
+ 1 V
V
mod
V
i(p-p)(max)
V
i(p-p)(min)
13.56 MHz
carrier
Table 155. SPI timing characteristics
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
tWL pulse width LOW line SCK 50 - - ns
tWH pulse width HIGH line SCK 50 - - ns
th(SCKH-D) SCK HIGH to data input
hold time SCK to changing MOSI 25 - - ns
tsu(D-SCKH) data input to SCK HIGH
set-up time changing MOSI to SCK 25 - - ns
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th(SCKL-Q) SCK LOW to data output
hold time SCK to changing MISO - - 25 ns
t(SCKL-NSSH) SCK LOW to NSS HIGH
time 0--ns
tNSSH NSS HIGH time before communication 50 - - ns
Table 156. I2C-bus timing in Fast mode
Symbol Parameter Conditions Fast mode High-speed
mode Unit
Min Max Min Max
fSCL SCL clock frequency 0 400 0 3400 kHz
tHD;STA hold time (repeated) START
condition after this period,
the first clock pulse
is generated
600 - 160 - ns
tSU;STA set-up time for a repeated
START condition 600 - 160 - ns
tSU;STO set-up time for STOP condition 600 - 160 - ns
tLOW LOW period of the SCL clock 1300 - 160 - ns
tHIGH HIGH period of the SCL clock 600 - 6 0 - ns
tHD;DAT data hold time 0 900 0 70 ns
tSU;DAT dat a set-up time 100 - 10 - ns
trrise time SCL signal 20 300 10 40 ns
tffall time SCL signal 20 300 10 40 ns
trrise time SDA and SCL
signals 20 300 10 80 ns
tffall time SDA and SCL
signals 20 300 10 80 ns
tBUF bus free time between a STOP
and START condition 1.3- 1.3- s
Table 155. SPI timing characteristics …continued
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
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Remark: The signal NSS must be LOW to be able to send several bytes in one data stream.
To send more than one data stream NSS must be set HIGH between the data streams.
Fig 25. Timing diagram for SPI
Fig 26. Timing for Fast and Standard mode devices on the I2C-bus
001aaj634
tSCKL tSCKH tSCKL
tDXSH tSHDX tDXSH
tSLDX
tSLNH
MOSI
SCK
MISO
MSB
MSB
LSB
LSB
NSS
001aaj635
SDA
tf
SCL
tLOW tf
tSP tr
tHD;STA tHD;DAT
tHD;STA
trtHIGH
tSU;DAT
SSrPS
tSU;STA tSU;STO
tBUF
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15. Application information
A typical application diagram using a complementary antenna connectio n to the
MFRC523 is shown in Figure 27.
The antenna tuning and RF part matching is described in the application note Ref. 1 and
Ref. 2.
Fig 27. Typical application diagram
001aal163
DVDD AVDD
supply
MICRO-
PROCESSOR
host
interface
TVDD
OSCIN OSCOUT
27.12 MHz
RX
VMID
antenna
TX1
TVSS
TX2
PVDD 2
31512
21 22
17
16
11
10, 14
13
4
5
6
23
18
PVSS
NRSTPD
IRQ
AVSS DVSS
MFRC523
R1
L0 C1 Ra
Ra
C1
L0
R2
C0
C0
C2
C2
Lant
CRx
Cvmid
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16. Test information
16.1 Test signals
16.1.1 Self-test
The MFRC523 has the capability to perform a digital self-test. The self-test is started by
using the following proc edure:
1. Perform a soft reset.
2. Clear the internal bu ffer by writing 25 b y tes of 00 h and implem en t th e Con fig
command.
3. Enable the self-test by writing 09h to the AutoTestReg register.
4. Write 00h to the FIFO buffer.
5. Start the self-test with the CalcCRC command.
6. The self-test is initiated.
7. When the self-test has completed, the FIFO buffer contains the following 64 bytes:
FIFO buffer byte values for version B2h:
0x00, 0xEB, 0x66, 0xBA, 0x57, 0xBF, 0x23, 0x95, 0xD0, 0xE3, 0x0D, 0x3D, 0x27, 0x89,
0x5C, 0xDE, 0x9D, 0x3B, 0xA7, 0x00, 0x21, 0x5B, 0x89, 0x82, 0x51, 0x3A, 0xEB,
0x02, 0x0C, 0xA5, 0x00, 0x49, 0x7C, 0x84, 0x4D, 0xB3, 0xCC, 0xD2, 0x1B, 0x81,
0x5D, 0x48, 0x76, 0xD5, 0x71, 0x61, 0x21, 0xA9, 0x86, 0x96, 0x83, 0x38, 0xCF,
0x9D, 0x5B, 0x6D, 0xDC, 0x15, 0xBA, 0x3E, 0x7D, 0x95, 0x3B, 0x2F
16.1.2 Test bus
The test bus is used for production tests. The following configuration can be used to
improve the design of a system using the MFRC523. The test bus allows internal signals
to be routed to the digital interface. The test bus comprises two sets of test signals which
are selected using their subaddress specified in the TestSel2Reg register’s
TestBusSel[4:0] bits. The test signals and their related digital output pins are described in
Table 157 and Table 158.
Table 157. Test bus signals: TestBusSel[4:0] = 07h
Pins Internal
signal name Description
D6 s_data received dat a stream
D5 s_coll bit-collision de tected (106 kBd only)
D4 s_valid s_data and s_coll signals are valid
D3 s_over receiver has detected a stop condition
D2 RCV_reset receiver is reset
D1 - reserved
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16.1.3 Test signals on pins AUX1 or AUX2
The MFRC523 allows the user to select internal signa ls for measurement on pin s AUX1 or
AUX2. These measurements can be helpful during the design-in phase to optimize the
design or used for test purposes.
Table 159 shows the signals that can be switched to pin AUX1 or AUX2 by setting
AnalogSelAux1[3:0] or AnalogSelAux2[3:0] in the AnalogTestReg regis te r.
Remark: The DAC has a current output, therefore it is recommended that a 1 k
pull-down resistor is connected to pin AUX1 or pin AUX2.
16.1.3.1 Example: Output test signals TestDAC1 and TestDAC2
The AnalogTestReg register is set to 11h. The output on pin AUX1 has the test signal
TestDAC1 and the output on pin AUX2 has the test signal TestDAC2. The signal values of
TestDAC1 and TestDAC2 are controlled by the TestDAC1Reg and TestDAC2Reg
registers.
Figure 28 shows test signal TestDAC1 on pin AU X1 and TestDAC2 on pin AUX2 when the
TestDAC1Reg register is programmed with a slope defined by values 00h to 3Fh and the
TestDAC2Reg register is programmed with a rectangular signal defined by values 00h
and 3Fh.
Table 158. Test bus signals: TestBu sSel[4:0] = 0Dh
Pins Internal test
signal name Description
D6 clkstable oscillator output signal
D5 clk27/8 oscillator output signal divided by 8
D4 to D3 - reserved
D2 clk27 oscillator output signal
D1 - reserved
Table 159. Test signal descr iptions
AnalogSelAuxn[3:0] Signal on pin AUXn
0000 3-state
0001 DAC: register TestDAC1 or TestDAC2
0010 DAC: test signal Corr1
0011 reserved
0100 DAC: test signal MinLevel
0101 DAC: test signal ADC_I
0110 DAC: test signal ADC_Q
0111 to 1001 reserved
1010 HIGH
1011 LOW
1100 TxActive
1101 RxActive
1110 subcarrier detected
1111 TstBusBit
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16.1.3.2 Example: Output test signals Corr1 and MinLevel
Figure 29 shows test signals Corr1 and MinLevel on pins AUX1 and AUX2, respectively.
The AnalogTestReg register is set to 24h.
(1) TestDAC1 (500 mV/div) on pin AUX1.
(2) TestDAC2 (500 mV/div) on pin AUX2.
Fig 28. Output test signals TestDAC1 on pin AUX1 and TestDAC2 on pin AUX2
100 ms/div
001aak597
(1)
(2)
(1) MinLevel (1 V/div) on pin AUX2.
(2) Corr1 (1 V/div) on pin AUX1.
(3) RF field.
Fig 29. Output test signals Corr1 on pin AUX1 and MinLevel on pin AUX 2
10 μs/div
001aak598
(1)
(2)
(3)
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16.1.3.3 Example: Output test signals ADC I-channel and ADC Q-channel
Figure 30 shows the channel beha vior test signals ADC_I and ADC_Q on p ins AUX1 and
AUX2, respectively. The AnalogTestReg register is set to 56h.
16.1.3.4 Example: Output test signals RxActive and TxActive
Figure 31 shows the RxActive and TxActiv e te st signals relating to RF communication.
The AnalogTestReg register is set to CDh.
At 106 kBd, RxActive is HIGH during data bits, parity and CRC reception. Start bits
are not included
At 106 kBd, TxActive is HIGH during start bit s, data bits, parity and CRC transmission
At 212 kBd, 424 kBd and 848 kBd, RxActive is HIGH during data bits and CRC
reception. Start bits are not included
At 212 kBd, 424 kBd and 848 kBd, TxActive is HIGH during data bits and CRC
transmission
(1) ADC_I (1 V/div) on pin AUX1.
(2) ADC_Q (500 mV/div) on pin AUX2.
(3) RF field.
Fig 30. Output ADC I-channel on pin AUX1 and ADC Q-channel on pin AUX2
5 μs/div
001aak599
(1)
(2)
(3)
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16.1.3.5 Example: Output test signal RX data stream
Figure 32 shows the data stream that is currently being received. The TestSel2Reg
register’s TestBusSel[4:0] bits are set to 07h to enable test bus signals on pins D1 to D6;
see Section 16.1.2 “Test bus” on page 80. The TestSel1Reg register’s TstBusBitSel[2:0]
bits are set 06h (pin D6 = s_data) and AnalogTestReg register is set to FFh (TstBusBit)
which outputs the received data stream on pins AUX1 and AUX2.
(1) RxActive (2 V/div) on pin AUX1.
(2) TxActive (2 V/div) on pin AUX2.
(3) RF field.
Fig 31. Output RxActive on pin AUX1 and TxActiv e on pin AUX2
10 μs/div
001aak600
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1) s_data (received data stream) (2 V/div).
(2) RF field.
Fig 32. Received data stream on pins AUX1 and AUX2
20 μs/div
001aak601
(1)
(2)
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16.1.3.6 Pseudo-Random Binary Sequences (PRBS)
The pseudo-random binary sequences PRBS9 and PRBS1 5 are based on ITU-TO 150
and are defined with the TestSel2Reg register. Transmission of either data stream is
started by the Transmit command. The preamble/sync byte/st art bit/parity bit are
automatically generated depending on the mode selected.
Remark: All relevant registers for tr ansmitting data must be configured in accordance with
ITU-TO150 before selecting PRBS transmission.
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17. Package outline
Fig 33. Package outline SOT617-1 (HVQFN32)
0.51
A1Eh
b
UNIT ye
0.2
c
REFERENCES
OUTLINE
VERSION EUROPEAN
PROJECTION ISSUE DATE
IEC JEDEC JEITA
mm 5.1
4.9
Dh
3.25
2.95
y1
5.1
4.9 3.25
2.95
e1
3.5
e2
3.5
0.30
0.18
0.05
0.00 0.05 0.1
DIMENSIONS (mm are the original dimensions)
SOT617-1 MO-220- - - - - -
0.5
0.3
L
0.1
v
0.05
w
0 2.5 5 mm
scale
SOT617-1
HVQFN32: plastic thermal enhanced very thin quad flat package; no leads;
32 terminals; body 5 x 5 x 0.85 mm
A(1)
max.
AA1c
detail X
y
y1C
e
L
Eh
Dh
e
e1
b
916
32 25
24
17
8
1
X
D
E
C
BA
e2
terminal 1
index area
terminal 1
index area
01-08-08
02-10-18
1/2 e
1/2 e AC
CB
vM
wM
E(1)
Note
1. Plastic or metal protrusions of 0.075 mm maximum per side are not included.
D(1)
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 87 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Detailed package information can be found at: www.nxp.com/package/SOT617-1.html
18. Handling information
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) evaluation has been performed according to
SNW-FQ-225B re v.04/07/07 (JEDEC J-STD-020C). MSL for this package is level 1 which
means 260 C convection reflow temperature.
Dry pack is not required.
Unlimited out-of-pack floor life at maximum amb ient 30 C/85 % RH.
19. Packing information
Fig 34. Packing information 1 tray
001aaj740
strap 46 mm from corner
tray
chamfer
PIN 1
chamfer
PIN 1
printed piano box
ESD warning preprinted
barcode label (permanent)
barcode label (peel-off)
QA seal
Hyatt patent preprinted
The straps around the package of
stacked trays inside the piano-box
have sufficient pre-tension to avoid
loosening of the trays.
In the traystack (2 trays)
only ONE tray type* allowed
*one supplier and one revision number.
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 88 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Fig 35. Packing information 5 trays
001aal164
strap 46 mm from corner
tray
chamfer
PIN 1
chamfer
PIN 1
printed piano box
ESD warning preprinted
barcode label (permanent)
barcode label (peel-off)
QA seal
Hyatt patent preprinted
The straps around the package of
stacked trays inside the piano-box
have sufficient pre-tension to avoid
loosening of the trays.
In the traystack (2 trays)
only ONE tray type* allowed
*one supplier and one revision number.
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 89 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
20. Abbreviations
21. Glossary
Modulation index Defined as the voltage ratio (Vmax Vmin) / (Vmax + Vmin).
Load modulation index — Defined as the voltage ratio for the card
(Vmax Vmin)/(V
max +V
min) measured at the card’s coil.
22. References
[1] Application note — MFRC52x Reader IC Family Directly Matched Antenna
Design
[2] Application note — MIFARE (ISO/IEC 14443 A) 13.56 MHz RFID Proximity
Antennas
Table 160. Abbreviations
Acronym Description
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter
ASK Amplitude Shift Keying
BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check
CW Continuo us Wave
DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
EOF End Of Frame
ETU Elementary Time Unit
HBM Human Body Model
I2C Inter-integ rated Circuit
LSB Least Significant Bit
MISO Master In Slave Out
MM Machine Mode l
MOSI Master Out Slave In
MSB Most Significant Bit
NRZ Not Return to Zero
NSS Not Slave Select
PCB Prin ted-Circuit Board
PLL Phase-Locked Loop
PRBS Pseudo-Random Bit Sequence
RX Receiver
SOF Start Of Frame
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface
TX Transmitter
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 90 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
23. Revision history
Table 161. Revision history
Document ID Release date Data sheet status Change notice Supersedes
MFRC523 v. 3.7 20111108 Product data sheet - MFRC523 v. 3.6
Modifications: Table 2 “Ordering information: updated
Table 154 “Characteristics: unit of Pxtal corrected
MFRC523 v. 3.6 20110628 Product data sheet - MFRC523_35
Modifications: Section 9.2.1.7 “ErrorReg register” on page 40 added
MFRC523_35 20100924 Product data sheet - MFRC523_34
Modifications: Table 131 “VersionReg register bit descripitons” on page 63 changed
MFRC523_34 20100715 Product data sheet - MFRC523_33
Modifications: Section 9.2.2.10 “DemodReg register”: register updated.
Section 9.2.2.15 “TypeBReg register”: register updated.
Section 9.2.3.10 “TModeReg and TPresca lerReg registers”: register updated.
Section 9.2.4.7 “AutoTes tReg register”: register updated.
Section 8.7 “Timer unit”: timer calculation updated.
Section 9.2.4.8 “VersionReg register”: version: B2h updated.
Section 16.1 “Test signals”: selftest result updated.
MFRC523_33 20100305 Product data sheet - MFRC523_32
Modifications: Table 106 “TModeReg register bit descriptions” and Table 108
“TPrescalerReg register bit descriptions”: text updated.
Section 8.7 “Timer unit”: input clock frequency changed to 13.56 MHz and
text updated.
Table 154 “SPI timing characteristics”: NSS HIGH time, tNSSH added.
MFRC523_32 20100112 Product data sheet - 115231
Modifications: The format of this data sheet has been redesigned to comply with the new identity guidelines of NXP
Semiconductors.
Legal texts have been adapted to the new company name where appropriate.
General re-wording of MIFARE designation and commercial condi tions.
Table 106 “TModeReg register bit descriptions” and Table 108 “TPrescale rReg register bit
descriptions”: changed value "fTimer = 13.56 MHz / (TPreScaler + 1)".
Graphics: updated to latest standard.
Descriptive text: updated.
Register and bit names: updated.
Register tables: presentation updated.
Parameter symbols: updated.
Section 9 “MFRC523 registers” now follows Section 8 “Functional description”.
Section 16 “Test informati on” added, incorporating Section 16.1 “Test signals”.
115231 May 2007 Product data sheet - 115230
115230 September 2006 Product data sheet - 115220
115220 August 2006 Preliminary data sheet - -
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 91 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
24. Legal information
24.1 Data sheet status
[1] Please consult the most recently issued document before initiating or completing a design.
[2] The term ‘short data sheet’ is explained in section “Definitions”.
[3] The product status of de vice(s) descr ibed in th is document m ay have cha nged since thi s document w as publish ed and may di ffe r in case of multiple devices. The latest product status
information is available on the Internet at URL http://www.nxp.com.
24.2 Definitions
Draft — The document is a draft version only. The content is still under
internal review and subject to formal approval, which may result in
modifications or additions. NXP Semiconductors does not give any
representations or warrant ies as to t he accuracy or completeness of
information included herein and shall have no liab ility for the consequences of
use of such information.
Short data sheet — A short dat a sheet is an extract from a full data sh eet
with the same product type number(s) and tit le. A short data sh eet is intended
for quick reference only and shou ld not b e relied u pon to cont ain det ailed and
full information. For detailed and full information see the relevant full data
sheet, which is available on request via the local NXP Semiconductors sales
office. In case of any inconsistency or conflict wit h the short data sheet, th e
full data sheet shall pre va il.
Product specificat ionThe information and data provided in a Product
data sheet shall define the specification of the product as agreed between
NXP Semiconductors and its customer, unless NXP Semiconductors and
customer have explicitly agreed otherwise in writing. In no event however,
shall an agreement be valid in which the NXP Semiconductors product is
deemed to off er functions and qualities beyond those described in the
Product data sheet.
24.3 Disclaimers
Limited warr a nty and liability — Information in this document is believed to
be accurate and reliable. However, NXP Semiconductors does not give any
representations or warrant ies, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or
completeness of such information and shall have no liability for the
consequences of use of such information.
In no event shall NXP Semiconductors be liable for any indirect, incidental,
punitive, special or consequ ential damages (including - wit hout limitation - lost
profits, lost savings, business interruption, costs related to the removal or
replacement of any products or rework charges) whether or not such
damages are based on tort (including negligence), warranty, breach of
contract or any other legal theory.
Notwithstanding any damages that customer might incur for any reason
whatsoever, NXP Semiconductors’ aggregate and cumulat ive liability toward s
customer for the products described herein shall be limited in accordance
with the Terms and conditions of commercial sale of NXP Semiconductors.
Right to make changes — NXP Semiconductors reserves the right to make
changes to information published in this document, including without
limitation specifications and product descriptions, at any time and without
notice. This document supersedes and replaces all informa tion supplied prior
to the publication hereof .
Suitability for use — NXP Semiconductors products are not designed,
authorized or warranted to be suit able for use in life support, life-critical or
safety-critical systems or equipment, nor in applications where failure or
malfunction of an NXP Semiconductors product can reasonably be expected
to result in perso nal injury, death or severe prop erty or environmental
damage. NXP Semiconductors accepts no liab ility for inclusion and/or use of
NXP Semiconductors products in such equipment or applications and
therefore such inclusion and/or use is at the customer’s own risk.
Applications — Applications that are described herein for any of these
products are for il lustrative purposes only. NXP Semiconductors makes no
representation or warranty that such applications will be suitable for the
specified use without further testing or modification.
Customers are responsible for the design and ope ration of their applications
and products using NXP Semiconductors product s, and NXP Semiconductors
accepts no liability for any assistance with applications or customer product
design. It is customer’s sole responsibility to determine whether the NXP
Semiconductors product is suit able and fit for the custome r’s applications and
products planned, as well as fo r the planned application and use of
customer’s third party customer(s). Custo mers should provide appropriate
design and operating safeguards to minimize the risks associated with their
applications and products.
NXP Semiconductors does not accept any liability related to any default,
damage, costs or problem which is based on any weakness or default in the
customer’s applications or products, or the application or use by customer’s
third party custo m er(s). Customer is responsible for doing all necessary
testing for the customer’s applications and products using NXP
Semiconductors products in order to avoid a default of the applications and
the products or of the application or use by customer’s third party
customer(s). NXP does not accept any liability in this respect.
Limiting values — Stress above one or more limiting values (as defined in
the Absolute Maximum Ratings System of IEC 60134) will cause permanent
damage to the device. Limiting values are stress ratings only and (proper)
operation of the device at these or any other conditions above those given in
the Recommended operating conditions section (if present) or the
Characteristics sections of this document is not warranted. Constant or
repeated exposure to limiting values will permanently and irreversibly affect
the quality and reliability of the device.
Terms and conditions of commercial sale — NXP Semiconductors
products are sold subject to the general terms and conditions of commercial
sale, as published at http://www.nxp.com/profile/terms, unless otherwise
agreed in a valid written individua l agreement. In case an individual
agreement is concluded only the ter ms and conditions of the respective
agreement shall apply. NXP Semiconductors hereby expressly objects to
applying the customer’s general terms and conditions with regard to the
purchase of NXP Semiconductors products by customer.
No offer to sell or license — Not hing in this document may be interpret ed or
construed as an of fer t o sell product s that is open for accept ance or the gr ant,
conveyance or implication of any license under any copyrights, patents or
other industrial or intellectual property rights.
Export control — This document as well as the item(s) described herein
may be subject to export control regulatio ns. Export might require a prior
authorization from competent authorities.
Document status[1][2] Product status[3] Definition
Objective [short] data sheet Development This document contain s data from the objecti ve specification for product development.
Preliminary [short] dat a sheet Qualification This document contains data from the preliminary specification.
Product [short] data sheet Production This document contains the product specification.
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 92 of 98
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Quick reference data — The Quick reference data is an extract of the
product data given in the Limiting values and Characteristics sections of this
document, and as such is not complete, exhaustive or legally binding.
Non-automotive qualified products — Unless this data sheet expressly
states that this specific NXP Semiconductors product is automotive qualified,
the product is not suitable for aut omotive use. It i s neit her qua lified nor tested
in accordance with automotive testing or application requirements. NXP
Semiconductors accepts no liability for inclusion and/or use of
non-automotive qualified products in au tomotive equipment or applications.
In the event that customer uses the product for design-in and use in
automotive applications to automot ive specifications and standards, custome r
(a) shall use the product without NXP Semiconductors’ warranty of the
product for such au tomotive applications, use and specifications, and (b)
whenever customer uses the product for automotive applications beyond
NXP Semiconductors’ specifications such use shall be solely at customer’s
own risk, and (c) customer fully indemnifies NXP Semiconductors for any
liability, damages or failed product claims resulting from customer design and
use of the product for automotive appl ications beyond NXP Semiconductors’
standard warrant y and NXP Semiconductors’ product specifications.
24.4 Licenses
24.5 Trademarks
Notice: All refe renced brands, produc t names, service names and trademarks
are the property of their respective ow ners.
I2C-bus — logo is a trademark of NXP B.V.
MIFARE — is a trademark of NXP B.V.
25. Contact information
For more information, please visit: http://www.nxp.com
For sales office addresses, please send an email to: salesaddresses@nxp.com
Purchase of NXP ICs with ISO/IEC 14443 type B functionality
This NXP Semiconductors IC is I SO/IEC 14443 T ype B
software enabled and is licensed under Innovatron’s
Contactless Card p atents license for ISO/IEC 144 43 B.
The license includes the right to use the IC in systems
and/or end-user equipment.
RATP/I nnovatron
Technology
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 93 of 98
continued >>
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
26. Tables
Table 1. Quick reference data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Table 2. Ordering information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Table 3. Pin description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Table 4. Communication overview for ISO/IEC 14443 A
reader/writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Table 5. Connection protocol for detecting different
interface types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Table 6. MOSI and MISO byte order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Table 7. MOSI and MISO byte order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Table 8. SPI read address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Table 9. SPI write address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Table 10. BR_T0 and BR_T1 settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Table 11. Selectable UART transfer speeds . . . . . . . . . .13
Table 12. UART framing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Table 13. Read data byte order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Table 14. Write data byte order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Table 15. Address byte 0 register; address MOSI . . . . . .16
Table 16. Register and bit settings controlli ng the signal on
pin TX1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Table 17. Register and bit settings controlli ng the signal on
pin TX2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Table 18. CRC coprocessor parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Table 19. Interrupt sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Table 20. Behavior of register bits and their designation .32
Table 21. MFRC523 register overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Table 22. Reserved register (address 00h); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Table 23. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .36
Table 24. CommandReg register (address 01h); reset
value: 20h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Table 25. CommandReg register bit descriptions . . . . . .36
Table 26. ComIEnReg register (addre ss 02h); reset value:
80h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Table 27. ComIEnReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . .37
Table 28. DivIEnReg register (address 03h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Table 29. DivIEnReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . .37
Table 30. ComIrqReg register (addre ss 04h); reset value:
14h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Table 31. ComIrqReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . .38
Table 32. DivIrqReg register (address 05h); reset value: x0h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Table 33. DivIrqReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .39
Table 34. ErrorReg register (address 06h); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Table 35. ErrorReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .40
Table 36. Status1Reg register (address 07h); reset value:
21h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Table 37. Status1Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 41
Table 38. Status2Reg register (address 08h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Table 39. Status2Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 41
Table 40. FIFODataReg register (address 09h); reset value:
xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table 41. FIFODataReg register bit de scriptions . . . . . . 42
Table 42. FIFOLevelReg register (address 0Ah); reset
value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table 43. FIFOLevel Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . . 43
Table 44. WaterLevelReg register (address 0Bh); reset
value: 08h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Table 45. WaterLevelReg register bit descriptions . . . . . 43
Table 46. ControlReg register (address 0Ch); reset value:
10h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Table 47. ControlReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 43
Table 48. BitFramingReg register (address 0Dh); reset
value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Table 49. BitFramingReg register bit descriptions . . . . . 44
Table 50. CollReg register (addres s 0Eh); reset value: xxh
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Table 51. CollReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Table 52. Reserved register (address 0Fh); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Table 53. Reserved register bi t descriptions . . . . . . . . . . 45
Table 54. Reserved register (address 10h); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Table 55. Reserved register bi t descriptions . . . . . . . . . . 45
Table 56. ModeReg register (address 1 1h); reset value: 3Fh
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Table 57. ModeReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . 46
Table 58. TxModeReg register (address 12h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Table 59. TxModeReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 47
Table 60. RxModeReg register (address 13h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Table 61. RxModeReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 47
Table 62. TxControl Reg register (address 14h); reset value:
80h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Table 63. TxControlReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . 48
Table 64. TxASKReg register (address 15h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Table 65. TxASKReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 49
Table 66. TxSelReg register (address 16h); reset value: 10h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Table 67. TxSelReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . 49
T able 68. RxSelReg register (address 17h); reset value: 84h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 94 of 98
continued >>
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Table 69. RxSelReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .50
Table 70. RxThresholdReg register (address 18h); reset
value: 84h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Table 71. RxThresholdReg register bit descriptions . . . .51
Table 72. DemodReg register (address 19h); reset value:
4Dh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Table 73. DemodReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . .51
Table 74. Reserved register (address 1Ah); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Table 75. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .52
Table 76. Reserved register (address 1Bh); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Table 77. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .52
Table 78. MfTxReg register (address 1Ch); reset value: 62h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Table 79. MfTxReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .53
Table 80. MfRxReg register (address 1Dh); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Table 81. MfRxReg register bit descripti ons . . . . . . . . . .53
Table 82. TypeBReg register (address 1Eh); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Table 83. TypeBReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . .53
Table 84. SerialSpeedReg register (address 1Fh); reset
value: EBh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Table 85. SerialSpeedReg register bit descriptions . . . . .54
Table 86. Reserved register (address 20h); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Table 87. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .55
Table 88. CRCResultReg (higher bits) register (address
21h); reset value: FFh bit allocation . . . . . . . .55
Table 89. CRCResultReg register higher bit descriptions 55
Table 90. CRCResultReg (lower bits) register (address
22h); reset value: FFh bit allocation . . . . . . . .55
Table 91. CRCResultRe g register lower bit descriptions .55
Table 92. Reserved register (address 23h); reset value: 88h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Table 93. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .56
T able 94. ModWidthReg register (address 24h); reset value:
26h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Table 95. ModWidthReg register bit descriptions . . . . . .56
Table 96. Reserved register (address 25h); reset value: 87h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Table 97. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .56
Table 98. RFCfgReg register (address 26h); reset value:
48h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Table 99. RFCfgReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . .57
Table 100. GsNReg register (address 27h); reset value: 88h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Table 101. GsNReg register bi t descriptions . . . . . . . . . .57
Table 102. CWGsPReg register (address 28h ); reset value:
20h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Table 103. CWGsPReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 58
Table 104. ModGsPReg register (address 29h); reset value:
20h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Table 105. ModGsPReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 58
Table 106. TModeReg register (address 2Ah); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Table 107. TModeReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 59
Table 108. TPrescalerReg register (address 2Bh); reset
value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Table 109. TPrescalerReg register bit description s . . . . . 60
Table 1 10. TReloadReg (higher bits) register (address 2Ch);
reset value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Table 111. TReloadReg register higher bit descriptions . . 60
Table 112. TReloadReg (lower bits) register (address 2Dh);
reset value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Table 113. TReloadReg register lower bit descriptions . . 60
Table 114. TCounterValReg (higher bits) register (address
2Eh); reset value: xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . 60
Table 115 . TCounterValReg regi ster higher bit
descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Table 116. TCounterValReg (lower bits) register (address
2Fh); reset value: xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . 61
Table 117. TCounterValReg register lower bit
descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
T able 1 18. Reserved register (address 30h); reset value: 00h
bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Table 119. Reserved register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . 61
Table 120. TestSel1Reg register (address 31h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Table 121. TestSel1Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 61
Table 122. TestSel2Reg register (address 32h); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Table 123. TestSel2Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 62
Table 124. TestPinEnReg register (address 33h); reset
value: 80h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Table 125. TestPinEnReg register bit descriptio ns . . . . . 62
Table 126. TestPinValueReg register (address 34h); reset
value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table 127. TestPinValueReg register bit descriptions . . . 63
Table 128. TestBusReg register (address 35h); reset value:
xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table 129. TestBusReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 63
Table 130. AutoTestReg register (address 36h); reset value:
40h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table 131. AutoTestReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . 64
Table 132. VersionReg register (address 37h); reset value:
xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Table 133. VersionReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . . . 64
Table 134. AnalogTestReg register (address 38h); reset
value: 00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Table 135. AnalogTestReg re gister bit descriptions . . . . . 65
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 95 of 98
continued >>
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
Table 136. TestDAC1Reg register (address 39h); reset
value: xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 6
Table 137. TestDAC1Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . .66
Table 138. TestDAC2Reg register (addre ss 3Ah); reset
value: xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 6
Table 139. TestDAC2Reg register bit descriptions . . . . . .66
Table 140. TestADCReg register (address 3Bh); reset value:
xxh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Table 141. TestADCReg register bit descriptions . . . . . . .66
Table 142. Reserved register (address 3Ch); reset value:
FFh bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 143. Reserved re gister bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 144. Reserved register (address 3Dh); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 145. Reserved re gister bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 146. Reserved register (address 3Eh); reset value:
03h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 147. Reserved re gister bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 148. Reserved register (address 3Fh); reset value:
00h bit allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 149. Reserved re gister bit descriptions . . . . . . . . . .67
Table 150. Command overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Table 151. Limiting values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Table 152. Operating conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 2
Table 153. Thermal characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Table 154. Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Table 155. SPI timing characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Table 156. I2C-bus timing in Fast mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Table 157. Test bus signals: TestBusSel[4:0] = 07h . . . . .80
Table 158. Test bus signals: TestBusSel[4:0] = 0Dh . . . . .81
Table 159. Test signal descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Table 160. Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Table 161. Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 96 of 98
continued >>
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
27. Figures
Fig 1. Simplified block diagram of the MFRC523. . . . . . .4
Fig 2. Detailed block diagram of the MFRC523. . . . . . . .5
Fig 3. Pinning configuration HVQFN32 (SOT617-1) . . . .6
Fig 4. MFRC523 Read/Write mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Fig 5. ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE Read/Write mode
communication diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Fig 6. Data coding and framing according to
ISO/IEC 14443 A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Fig 7. SPI connection to host. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Fig 8. UART connection to microcontrollers . . . . . . . . .12
Fig 9. UART read data timing diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Fig 10. UART write data timing diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Fig 11. I2C-bus interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Fig 12. Bit transfer on the I2C-bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 7
Fig 13. START and STOP conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Fig 14. Acknowledge on the I2C-bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Fig 15. Data transfer on the I2C-bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Fig 16. First byte following the START procedure . . . . . .19
Fig 17. Register read and write access . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Fig 18. I2C-bus HS mode protocol switch . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Fig 19. I2C-bus HS mode protocol frame. . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Fig 20. Serial data switch for TX1 and TX2 . . . . . . . . . . .25
Fig 21. Overview of MFIN and MFOUT signal ro uting. . .26
Fig 22. Quartz crystal connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Fig 23. Oscillator start-up time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Fig 24. Pin RX input voltage range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Fig 25. Timing diagram for SPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Fig 26. Timing for Fast and Standard mode devices on the
I2C-bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Fig 27. Typical application diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Fig 28. Output test signals TestDAC1 on pin AUX1 and
TestDAC2 on pin AUX2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Fig 29. Output test signals Corr1 on pin AUX1 and MinLevel
on pin AUX2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Fig 30. Output ADC I-channel on pin AUX1 and ADC
Q-channel on pin AUX2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Fig 31. Output RxActive on pin AUX1 and TxActive on pin
AUX2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Fig 32. Received data stream on pins AUX1 and AUX2 .84
Fig 33. Package outline SOT617-1 (HVQFN32) . . . . . . .8 6
Fig 34. Packing information 1 tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Fig 35. Packing informati on 5 trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
MFRC523 All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
Product data sheet
COMPANY PUBLIC Rev. 3.7 — 8 November 2011
115237 97 of 98
continued >>
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
28. Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 General description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3 Features and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Quick reference data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
5 Ordering information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6 Block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
7 Pinning information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7.1 Pin description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
8 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8.1 ISO/IEC 14443 A functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8.2 ISO/IEC 14443 B functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8.3 Digital interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8.3.1 Automatic microcontroller interface detection. . 9
8.3.2 Serial Peripheral Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8.3.2.1 SPI read data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8.3.2.2 SPI write data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
8.3.2.3 SPI Read and Write address byte . . . . . . . . . 11
8.3.3 UART interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
8.3.3.1 Connection to a host. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
8.3.3.2 Selectable UART transfer speeds . . . . . . . . . 12
8.3.3.3 UART framing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8.3.4 I2C Bus Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8.3.4.1 Data validity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8.3.4.2 START and STOP conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8.3.4.3 Byte format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8.3.4.4 Acknowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
8.3.4.5 7-Bit addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
8.3.4.6 Register write access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
8.3.4.7 Register read access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8.3.4.8 High-speed mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
8.3.4.9 High-speed transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
8.3.4.10 Serial data transfer format in HS mode . . . . . 21
8.3.4.11 Switching between F/S mode and HS mode . 22
8.3.4.12 MFRC523 in lower speed modes . . . . . . . . . . 22
8.4 Analog interface and contactless UART. . . . . 23
8.4.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8.4.2 TX p-driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8.4.3 Serial data switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8.4.4 MFIN and MFOUT interface support . . . . . . . 25
8.4.5 CRC coprocessor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.5 FIFO buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.5.1 Accessing the FIFO buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.5.2 Controlling the FIFO buffer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.5.3 FIFO buffer status information . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
8.6 Interrupt request system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.6.1 Interrupt sources overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8.7 Timer unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
8.8 Power reduction modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.8.1 Hard power-down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.8.2 Soft power-down mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.8.3 Transmitter Power-down mode . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.9 Oscilla tor circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.10 Reset and oscillator start-up time . . . . . . . . . 31
8.10.1 Reset timing requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.10.2 Oscillator start-up time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
9 MFRC523 registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
9.1 Re gister bit behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
9.1.1 MFRC523 register overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9.2 Register descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.2.1 Page 0: Command and status . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.2.1.1 Reserved register 00h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.2.1.2 CommandReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9.2.1.3 ComIEnReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.2.1.4 DivIEnReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.2.1.5 ComIrqReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9.2.1.6 DivIrqReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
9.2.1.7 ErrorReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
9.2.1.8 Status1Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
9.2.1.9 Status2Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
9.2.1.10 FIFODataReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
9.2.1.11 FIFOLevelReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
9.2.1.12 WaterLevelReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
9.2.1.13 ControlReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
9.2.1.14 BitFramingReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
9.2.1.15 CollReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
9.2.1.16 Reserved register 0Fh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
9.2.2 Page 1: Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
9.2.2.1 Reserved register 10h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
9.2.2.2 ModeReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
9.2.2.3 TxModeReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
9.2.2.4 RxModeReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
9.2.2.5 TxControlReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
9.2.2.6 TxASKReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
9.2.2.7 TxSelReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
9.2.2.8 RxSelReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
9.2.2.9 RxThresholdReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
9.2.2.10 DemodReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
9.2.2.11 Reserved register 1Ah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.2.2.12 Reserved register 1Bh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.2.2.13 MfTxReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.2.2.14 MfRxReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9.2.2.15 TypeBReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9.2.2.16 SerialSpeedReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
9.2.3 Page 2: Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
9.2.3.1 Reserved register 20h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
NXP Semiconductors MFRC523
Contactless reader IC
© NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nxp.com
For sales office addresses, please send an email to: salesaddresses@nxp.com
Date of release: 8 November 2011
115237
Please be aware that important notices concerning this document and the product(s)
described herein, have been included in section ‘Legal information’.
9.2.3.2 CRCResultReg registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
9.2.3.3 Reserved register 23h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
9.2.3.4 ModWidthReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
9.2.3.5 Reserved register 25h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
9.2.3.6 RFCfgReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
9.2.3.7 GsNReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
9.2.3.8 CWGsPReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
9.2.3.9 ModGsPReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
9.2.3.10 TModeReg and TPrescalerReg registers. . . . 58
9.2.3.11 TReloadReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
9.2.3.12 TCounterValReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
9.2.4 Page 3: Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
9.2.4.1 Reserved register 30h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
9.2.4.2 TestSel1Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
9.2.4.3 TestSel2Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
9.2.4.4 TestPinEnReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
9.2.4.5 TestPinValueReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
9.2.4.6 TestBusReg register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
9.2.4.7 AutoTestReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
9.2.4.8 VersionReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
9.2.4.9 AnalogTestReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
9.2.4.10 TestDAC1Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
9.2.4.11 TestDAC2Reg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
9.2.4.12 TestADCReg register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
9.2.4.13 Reserved register 3Ch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
10 MFRC523 command set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
10.1 General description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
10.2 General behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
10.3 MFRC523 command overview. . . . . . . . . . . . 68
10.3.1 MFRC523 command descriptions . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.1 Idle mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.2 Mem command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.3 Generate RandomID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.4 CalcCRC command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.5 Transmit command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
10.3.1.6 NoCmdChange command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
10.3.1.7 Receive command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
10.3.1.8 Transceive command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
10.3.1.9 MFAuthent command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
10.3.1.10 SoftReset command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
11 Limiting values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
12 Recommended operating conditions. . . . . . . 72
13 Thermal characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
14 Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
14.1 Timing characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
15 Application information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
16 Test information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
16.1 Test signals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
16.1.1 Self-test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
16.1.2 Te st bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
16.1.3 Test signals on pins AUX1 or AUX2. . . . . . . . 81
16.1.3.1 Example: Output test signals TestDAC1 and
TestDAC2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
16.1.3.2 Example: Output test signals Corr1 and
MinLevel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
16.1.3.3 Example: Output test signals ADC I-channel
and ADC Q-channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
16.1.3.4 Example: Output test signals RxActive and
TxActive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
16.1.3.5 Example: Output test signal RX data stream. 84
16.1.3.6 Pseudo-Random Binary Sequences (PRBS). 85
17 Package outline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
18 Handling information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
19 Packing information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
20 Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
21 Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
22 References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
23 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
24 Legal information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
24.1 Data sheet status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
24.2 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
24.3 Disclaimers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
24.4 Licenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
24.5 Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
25 Contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
26 Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
27 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
28 Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97