NFC Module – NFC Reader µFR Nano

 RFID READER HARDWARE

This NFC RFID reader’s RF communication is based on NXP’s powerful, highly integrated reader IC for contactless communication at 13.56 MHz, which supports all protocol layers of the ISO/IEC 14443 A, ISO/IEC 14443 B and ISO/IEC 18092 communication standards.

It utilizes an outstanding modulation and demodulation concept completely integrated for different kinds of contactless communication methods and protocols at 13.56 MHz.

All variants of the MIFARE^®  family (MIFARE Mini^®, MIFARE Classic^® 1K, MIFARE Classic^® 4K, MIFARE Ultralight^®, MIFARE Ultralight C^®, MIFARE DESFire^® EV1 and MIFARE Plus^®) RF identification protocols are supported. Additionally, NFC Forum specification for „Type 2 Tag” is supported, which adds NTAG2xx chip family to above list.

This RFID NFC Reader has possibility to support all NFC Forum Tag Types, but currently implemented is Type 2. Since DESFire can be used as NFC Tag type 4, it will be added soon as capability in firmware. Additional features like other Tag types (1 and 3) and Pear 2 Pear functionality are on R&D roadmap.

Bottom line is that reader’s hardware is fully compliant with NFC Forum specification, while software compatibility is constantly improved and extended with each new SDK update.

NFC RFIDreader has built-in anti-collision mechanism for detecting multiple cards at time.

Built-in well-tuned antenna provides proximity operating distance up to 80 mm (depending on card’s antenna geometry) and contactless communication speed at higher baud rates (up to 424 kBd).

Device also has built in Crypto1® algorithm and non-volatile internal key memory storage for better security.

Reader can also act as a serial interface device using FTDI’s Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers.

Audible (speaker) and 2 LEDs visible indicators are built in and absolutely user controllable.

THIS RFID MODEL IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS OEM NFC Module.

OEM board comes in two versions: with standard micro-USB connector or with RS232 pins on TTL levels, with additional cable device for true RS232 voltage levels.

 FIRMWARE

Since hardware is based on MCU platform, it runs on company developed custom firmware. Communication between host and reader is provided through high speed direct access FTDI chip features.

At core communication level device uses company developed, proprietary communication protocol, which is well documented in API reference.

Firmware has a lot of built-in complex functions which can be called via libraries provided in  API. Most of functions are written to make „life easier”, like:

When using OEM RS232 board, device can be connected on any platform which has “real” serial interface, which is seen as a great benefit. Firmware is regularly updated with new versions which include new features, improvements and bug-fixes, while preserving backward compatibility with older versions.

That means your code is safe, there is no need for changes when new firmware comes out. All firmware upgrades are totally FREE and can be obtained through download section of company’s website.

 Development kit package

This NFC RFID reader comes with fully featured Software development kit which consist of external libraries,  examples with source codes, documentation about API reference and communication protocol and some useful software tools.

Libraries are cross-compiled for various platforms and regularly supported are Windows x86/x64 and UWP, Linux x86/x64, Mac OSX x64, ARM/ARM HF and Arduino. Other platforms can be supported as custom release, on customers demand, depending on existence of project or partnership relation.

Examples are divided in three stages according to complexity, with some new additions of NFC examples.

 All examples are written for all major developing platforms and languages, like:

• Java (and Java Applet example),
• JavaScript (unique feature, convenient for PHP usage),
• Lazarus,
• Borland Delphi,
• C++ Borland Builder,
• Microsoft® Visual .NET family: C++, C#, VB
• Python
• Arduino IDE examples

Other programming languages examples can be obtained on customer demand, depending on existence of project or partnership relation.

 Package includes set of very useful applications intended for everyday use, like:

• Application for programming and manipulation of NFC compliant  like NTAG and MIFARE Ultralight^®, with source code included.
• Android NFC phone App – Android NFC phone Application for MIFARE^® reading. Write a card with uFR, read it with NFC phone!
• Formatter – application for card/tag formatting and programming
• uFR2FileSystem – keyboard simulation,  data reading,  data parsing into several formats and sending data to MySQL database via HTTP.
• Application for NTAG and MIFARE Ultralight^® programming and manipulation.
• Application for creating and writing common NDEF messages into NFC tags
• Reader Keys application – for easy manipulation of keys stored in reader
• Application for managing of DESFire card
• Examples of credit card use with reading of public data
• Shell like environment for easy testing and automation
• Web extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera

Downloads: API Documentation, uFR COM Protocol, Software examples with SDK

Documentation contains fully explained API reference and communication protocol reference with real “hands-on” byte level examples for implementing communication protocol. However, API is much more comfortable and recommended way of implementation. Where not possible, implementation of communication protocol is very good alternative.

All libraries, examples, tools and documents are regularly updated. They are totally FREE and can be obtained through download section of company’s website.

Our support team always provides quick response, usually not more than 24 hours, which also depends of complexity and question itself.

We can also provide custom solutions based on each customer’s needs, so please free to contact us for any question or further help regarding your projects and implementation.