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RFID basics—High frequency RFID protocol, read and write modules and tags

Popularity：133 ℃/2025-02-12 14:18:53

Low frequency, high frequency and ultra-high frequency in RFID technology have their own advantages and application scenarios. Among them, access control cards, bus cards, ID cards, and book tags closely related to our personal lives mainly use high-frequency RFID. These applications also correspond to different protocols in high-frequency RFID.

High-frequency RFID protocol

The RFID tag protocol is jointly formulated by ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It is the basis for communication between RFID devices and the basis for label chip design. From the standard protocol, 13.56MHz high frequency is mainly divided into two protocols: ISO14443 and ISO15693. Simply put, 14443 is near-field coupling, 15693 is far-field coupling, 14443 has encryption function, and 15693 has good penetration. Strong anti-interference ability. Of course, some 15693 chips have also added some encryption functions to expand their application scope.

The distance and nearness in near and far field coupling are relative.
Contactless card standards cover ISO/IEC 10536 (Close coupled cards), ISO/IEC 144433 (Proximity cards), and ISO/IEC 15693 (Vicinity cards). They are suitable for situations where the correlation coupling device is very close, close and at a certain distance, respectively.

ISO14443 protocol

ISO14443 is a protocol for close-range contactless communication, mainly used in high-frequency (13.56 MHz) RFID systems. It is divided into two types: ISO14443-A and ISO14443-B. ISO14443 is divided into four parts protocols, and these four parts correspond to different layers.

  • ISO14443-1: Define physical properties, which can be understood as physical layer
  • ISO14443-2: RF power supply and signal interface
  • ISO14443-3: Initialization and anti-collision mechanism
  • ISO14443-4: Transmission protocol
    ISO14443-A and ISO14443-B are both divided into these four parts, most of which are shared, but some parts describe A and some parts describe B. For software developers, the main focus is on studying the ISO14443-3 and ISO14443-4 protocols. Initialization and anti-collision related content is on ISO14443-3.
    The main differences between ISO14443-A and ISO14443-B are the modulation method, encoding method and anti-collision mechanism. Detailed comparisons are as follows:
characteristic ISO/IEC 14443-A ISO/IEC 14443-B
Modulation method 100% ASK 10% ASK
Coding method Miller encoding (reader to tag)
Manchester Encoding (Tag to Reader)		 NRZ-L Encoding
Anti-conflict mechanism Bitcoin Anti-Conflict Protocol Time slot anti-collision protocol
Communication rate Default rate: 106 kbit/s
Supports higher rates: 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s and 848 kbit/s.		 Default rate: 106 kbit/s
Supports higher rates: 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s and 848 kbit/s.
Communication distance 0 to 10 cm (typical value is 4 cm) 0 to 10 cm (typical value is 4 cm)
Security Support encryption and authentication mechanisms Supports higher security and encryption mechanisms
Main applications Payment systems (such as MIFARE cards), access control systems, public transportation, attendance Scenarios with high security requirements (such as electronic ID card, electronic driver's license)

ISO15693 protocol

ISO15693 is a protocol for long-distance contactless communication, and the protocol is divided into three parts:

  • ISO15693-1: Define physical properties, which can be understood as physical layer
  • ISO15693-2: RF power supply, signal interface and initialization
  • ISO15693-3: Anti-collision mechanism and transmission protocol
    For software developers, it is mainly about studying ISO15693-3. It describes the storage structure of VICC, the anti-collision process, the request and response data format for communication between VCD and VICC, the main commands, etc. in detail. The main technical features are as follows:
  • Communication distance: 0 to 1.5 m (typically 1 m)
  • Main applications: Asset management, library management, supply chain management, medical fields
  • Modulation method：
    • Reader to tag:useASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) Modulation, modulation depth is 10% or 100%.
    • Tag to reader:useLoad Modulation
  • Coding method：
    • Reader to tag:use1/4 encoding, that is, each bit is encoded into 4 carrier cycles.
    • Tag to reader:useManchester code。
  • Communication rate: High speed 26.48 kbit/s, low speed 6.62 kbit/s.
  • Anti-collision mechanism:useTime slot anti-collision protocol(Slotted Aloha), resolves conflicts through time slot allocation, and supports multi-label reading.
  • Security:supportEAS (Electronic Product Anti-theft) Function, used for anti-theft alarm. Depends on whether the tag supports this feature. Some 15693 chips have also added some encryption functions, such as Huada Semiconductor 15693 adding Guomi SM7.[1]
  • Storage capacity: Typical storage capacity is1 KB to 4 KB, depending on the label model.

High frequency RFID read and write module

When it comes to 13.56MHz high-frequency chips and manufacturers, we have to mention the three words NXP. Search through search engines and e-commerce platforms, the ones that appear more frequently are basically NXP products. For example, MFRC522, CLRC663, PN532, PN5180, etc.

MFRC522

The RC522 is a chip for contactless communications at 13.56 MHz, supporting ISO/IEC 14443 A/MIFARE and NTAG. In terms of interface, it supports three serial communications: SPI, UART, and IIC.[2]With the appropriate antenna and tuning, the typical working distance in read/write mode can reach 50mm. This reading and writing module is cheap, and most of the e-commerce platforms are around 5 yuan.

CLRC663

CLRC663 is a full-protocol read and write module that supports NFC. In terms of interface, it supports three serial communications: SPI, UART, and IIC. The price is cheaper, basically less than 50 yuan. Supports the following working modes:[3]

  • Read/write mode supporting ISO/IEC 14443 type A and MIFARE Classic communication mode
  • Read/write mode supporting ISO/IEC 14443B
  • Read/write mode supporting JIS X 6319-4 (comparable with FeliCa)1
  • Passive initiator mode according to ISO/IEC 18092
  • Read/write mode supporting ISO/IEC 15693
  • Read/write mode supporting ICODE EPC UID/ EPC OTP
  • Read/write mode supporting ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 3/ EPC Class-1 HF

PN532

The PN532 module supports 6 protocols/operation modes, including NFC. In terms of interface, it supports three serial communications: SPI, UART, and IIC. The price is cheaper, basically less than 10 yuan. Supports the following working modes:[4]

  • ISO/IEC 14443A/MIFARE Reader/Writer
  • FeliCa Reader/Writer
  • ISO/IEC 14443B Reader/Writer
  • ISO/IEC 14443A/MIFARE Card MIFARE Classic 1K or MIFARE Classic 4K card
    emulation mode
  • FeliCa Card emulation
  • ISO/IEC 18092, ECMA 340 Peer-to-Peer

PN5180

PN5180 is the best full protocol module on the market that supports NFC[5]. The PN5180 ensures maximum interoperability of next-generation NFC phones. The PN5180 implements high-power NFC front-end functionality to achieve RF level EMV compliance without additional external active components. The price is cheaper, basically less than 30 yuan. Supports the following working modes:

  • Reader/Writer mode supporting ISO/IEC 14443-A up to 848 kBit/s, MIFARE
  • Reader/Writer mode supporting ISO/IEC 14443-B up to 848 kBit/s
  • Reader/Writer mode supporting JIS X 6319-4 (comparable with FeliCa scheme)
  • Supports reading of all NFC tag types (type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4A and type 4B)
  • Reader/Writer mode supporting ISO/IEC 15693
  • Reader/Writer mode supporting ISO/IEC 18000-3 Mode 3
  • ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC-IP1)
  • ISO/IEC 21481 (NFC-IP-2)
  • ISO/IEC 14443-type A Card emulation up to 848 kBit/s

High frequency RFID card[6]

ISO 14443-A Agreement:

  1. MF1 IC S20: It is often called MIFARE Mini in China, and the original chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is widely used in one-card games.
  2. Mifare Std 1k MF1 IC S50 and its compatible card: The original chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is widely used in one-card games.
  3. Mifare Std 4k MF1 IC S70 and its compatible card: The original chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is widely used in one-card games.
  4. Mifare Ultralight MF0 IC U1X: It is often called U10 in China, and the chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), and Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed train tickets are typical applications.
  5. Mifare Ultralight C: The original chip manufacturer is NXP.
  6. Mifare DESfire 2k MF3 IC D21: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called MF3 2k in China.
  7. Mifare DESfire 4k MF3 IC D41: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called MF3 in China. Nanjing Metro Card is a typical application.
  8. Mifare DESfire 8k MF3 IC D81: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called MF3 8k in China.
  9. Mifare ProX: The chip manufacturer is NXP. No capacity is judged.
  10. MF1 PLUS 2k: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called PLUS S in China.
  11. MF1 PLUS 4k: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called PLUS X in China.
  12. NTAG213/215/216: The original chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP).
  13. JEWEL: The chip manufacturer is British innovision, which is often called gem card in China. No serial number read.
  14. IS23SC4456: The chip manufacturer is US ISSI and is compatible with the CPU card of MF1 IC S50.
  15. CPU card (compatible with MF1): The chip manufacturers are Shanghai Fudan, Shanghai Huahong, etc., which can be compatible with the CPU card of MF1 IC S50. [Note: This class also contains FM1208M1 and other similar chip cards. ]
  16. Pure CPU card: The chip manufacturers are Shanghai Fudan, American ISSI, etc., pure CPU card. [Note: This class also includes pure CPU cards in FM1208, IS23SC4456 and other similar chip cards. ]
  17. X82A: The chip manufacturer is Beijing Huada, CPU card.
  18. SLE66R35: Infineon, compatible with MF1 IC S50.
  19. FM11RF08: The chip manufacturer is Shanghai Fudan, compatible with MF1 IC S50.
  20. SHC1102: The chip manufacturer is Shanghai Huahong, and Shanghai One Card is a typical application.
  21. Advant ATC2048-MP: The chip manufacturer is Swiss LEGIC.

ISO 14443-B protocol:

  1. AT88RF020: The chip manufacturer is the United States AtmeL (ATMEL), and Guangzhou subway card is a typical application.
  2. SR176: The chip manufacturer is Swiss STMicroelectronics (ST), which is mainly used for anti-counterfeiting identification, etc.
  3. SRIX4K: The chip manufacturer is Swiss STMicroelectronics (ST), which is mainly used for anti-counterfeiting identification, etc.
  4. SRT512: The chip manufacturer is Swiss STMicroelectronics (ST), which is mainly used for anti-counterfeiting identification, etc.
  5. ST23YR18: The chip manufacturer is Swiss STMicroelectronics (ST), CPU card.
  6. THR1064: The chip manufacturer is Beijing Tongfang, and Olympic tickets are typical applications.
  7. THR2408: The chip manufacturer is Beijing Tongfang, pure CPU card.
  8. Second-generation resident ID cards: chip manufacturers are Shanghai Huahong, Beijing Tongfang THR9904, Tianjin Datang and Beijing Huada, and the second-generation resident ID cards are typical applications.

ISO 15693 Agreement:

  1. EM4135: The chip manufacturer is Swiss EM, which is mainly used for ticket management, anti-counterfeiting identification, etc.
  2. ICODE SL2 ICS53/ICODE SL2 ICS54: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called ICODE SLI-S in China, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  3. ICODE SL2 ICS20: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called I CODE 2 in China, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  4. ICODE SL2 ICS50/ICODE SL2 ICS51: The chip manufacturer is NXP (NXP), which is often called ICODE SLI-L in China, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  5. Tag-it HF-1 Plus: The chip manufacturer is Texas Instruments (TI), which is often called TI2048 in China, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc. [Note: There is no distinction between the original TI2048 or the FM1302T that is compatible with TI2048. ]
  6. Tag-it HF-1 Standard: The chip manufacturer is Texas Instruments (TI), which is often called TI256 in China, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  7. BL75R04: The chip manufacturer is Shanghai Beiling, compatible with TI 2048, mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  8. BL75R05: The chip manufacturer is Shanghai Beiling, compatible with I CODE 2, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  9. FM1302N: The chip manufacturer is Shanghai Fudan, compatible with I CODE 2, and is mainly used for logistics and warehousing, ticket management, etc.
  10. Advant ATC128-MV: The chip manufacturer is Swiss LEGIC, which is mainly used for one-card games, etc.
  11. Advant ATC256-MV: The chip manufacturer is Swiss LEGIC, which is mainly used for one-card games, etc.
  12. Advant ATC1024-MV: The chip manufacturer is Swiss LEGIC, which is mainly used for one-card games, etc.
  13. LRI2K: The chip manufacturer is STMicroelectronics (ST).
  14. ST25DV04K, ST25DV16K, ST25DV64K: The chip manufacturer is STMicroelectronics (ST).

refer to

  1. What are the mainstream chips in the market with high frequency RFID? - Zhihu ↩︎

  2. Standard performance MIFARE® and NTAG® frontend ↩︎

  3. High-performance multi-protocol NFC frontend CLRC663 and CLRC663 plus ↩︎

  4. Near Field Communication (NFC) controller ↩︎

  5. PN5180 - High-performance multi-protocol full NFC frontend, supporting all NFC Forum modes ↩︎

  6. Common chips for ISO15693, ISO14443A, ISO14443B protocols-Technical Documents-Guangzhou Rongshi Electronics Co., Ltd. ↩︎

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