System-on-chip for near field communication

19 March 2008 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

STMicroelectronics has developed a new fully integrated secure system-on-chip (SoC) solution implemented in advanced silicon technology for the fast emerging NFC (near field communication) market. NFC technology provides advanced wireless or 'contactless' services for users, such as electronic payment via mobile phone. Implemented in the company's embedded non-volatile memory EEPROM technology, the ST21NFCA integrates all the necessary hardware and software for a complete NFC system, including support for all the NFC proximity and vicinity standards.

NFC is a fast emerging short-range wireless connectivity standard that significantly simplifies the interaction of consumer devices in a range of applications. The technology can be implemented in various devices, such as in a mobile phone, to enable secure electronic payments. While use in mobile phones is expected to be the primary driver for the deployment of the technology, other uses can include 'contactless' banking, transport ticketing and 'smart poster' applications.

Developed to be used in mobile devices, or within the PC environment, the ST21NFCA is a flexible fully integrated system-on-chip IC that offers a complete hardware capability for contactless communication at 13,56 MHz, and is suitable to be designed into RF reader systems, as well as RF tags or contactless smart cards. The device also integrates the necessary host controller interface (HCI) functions, in addition to interfaces for both the I²C and SPI bus, and is compliant with the ETSI specification for single wire protocol (SWP), which describes the connection between a mobile phone's UICC (universal integrated circuit card) and the NFC controller.

Based on the technology and the architectures already implemented in ST's advanced SIM card range, the ST21NFCA includes the company's ST21 smartcard microcontroller along with 36 KBytes of EEPROM, 112 KBytes of User ROM and 4 KBytes of RAM. In addition, the chip includes an integrated RF analog front end and embedded firmware that supports the existing contactless standards for proximity and vicinity. Additionally, the chip's fully integrated firmware provides fast and easy design and implementation for leading mobile phone and portable consumer equipment manufacturers.

Further reading:

Industrial Ethernet time sensitive networking switch
RS South Africa Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ADIN3310 and ADIN6310 are 3-port and 6-port Gigabit Ethernet time sensitive networking (TSN) switches with integrated security primarily designed for industrial Ethernet applications.

Read more...

---

When it comes to long-term reliability of RF amplifier ICs, focus first on die junction temperature
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
When considering the long-term reliability of integrated circuits, a common misconception is that high package or die thermal resistance is problematic. However, high or low thermal resistance, by itself, tells an incomplete story.

Read more...

---

Automotive-grade digital isolators
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The NSI83xx series of capacitive-based isolators from NOVOSENSE Microelectronics offer superior EOS resilience and minimal power noise susceptibility.

Read more...

---

Why bis means business for LTE Cat 1 IoT connections
NuVision Electronics Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Tomaž Petaros, product manager IoT EMEA at Quectel Wireless Solutions explains why the market for Cat 1bis IoT connections is getting busy.

Read more...

---

Wi-Fi in 2025: When is Wi-Fi 7 the answer?
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Wi-Fi 7 introduces multi-link operation and lower latency, a game-changing feature that allows devices to transmit and receive data across multiple frequency bands simultaneously to significantly reduce network congestion.

Read more...

---

Bluetooth Lite SoCs purpose built for IoT
NuVision Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Whether it is enabling predictive maintenance on industrial equipment, tracking assets in dense environments, or running for years on a coin cell battery in ultra-low power sensors, developers need solutions that are lean, reliable, and ready to scale with emerging use cases.

Read more...

---

LTE Cat 1bis module
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The A7673X LTE Cat 1bis module from SimCom is engineered to meet the growing demands of the IoT industry, offering exceptional performance and seamless integration.

Read more...

---

Track with precision
Electrocomp Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
KYOCERA AVX provides innovative antennas for cellular, LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRa, GNSS, BLE, UWB, Wi-Fi, and future Satellite IoT.

Read more...

---

Wi-Fi 7 front-end module
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Qorvo QPF4609 is an integrated front end module designed for 802.11be systems that has integrated matching, which minimises layout area.

Read more...

---

Multi-channel downconverter
Vepac Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Downconverter from Crane Aerospace is a converter that operates from 2 to 18 GHz and delivers a noise figure of 11 dB with an attenuation range of 25 dB.

Read more...

---