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:
Strategic agreement for eSIM solutions
Avnet Silica
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
This agreement between Avent Silica and Thales covers the latter’s eSIM solutions that are compliant with GSMA SGP.22 and SGP.32 standards.
Read more...
High precision multi-GNSS antenna
RS South Africa
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Amphenol PCTEL GNSS-L125-DH-NF multi-GNSS antenna is a high-performance antenna designed for reliable global navigation satellite system reception in demanding environments.
Read more...
Designing IoT devices for deterministic LPWAN environments
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Built on Ultra Narrow Band communication technology, the Sigfox network focuses on low power, wide area M2M connectivity rather than maximising data throughput.
Read more...
Robust LoRaWAN for distributed IoT
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
InHand Networks has unveiled its latest LoRaWAN gateway, the EC312, marking an evolution in industrial-grade connectivity solutions for distributed IoT environments.
Read more...
Miniaturised tuneable harmonic filter bank
RFiber Solutions
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Modern RF and microwave communication systems require compact, high power filtering solutions to suppress unwanted harmonic signals generated by power amplifiers, and to address this challenge, Tri-TeQ has developed a miniaturised broadband tuneable harmonic switched filter bank.
Read more...
Nordic accelerates cellular IoT leadership
RF Design
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The company unveiled its next-generation portfolio featuring Cat 1 bis, satellite NTN, and advanced LTE-M/NB-IoT with edge AI, delivering secure and resilient connectivity across billions of IoT devices.
Read more...
Powering the future of industrial automation
IOT Electronics
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
5G, the 5th generation of wireless broadband technology, enables users to establish reliable connectivity, which in turn enables flexible, autonomous, and efficient processes from production to logistics.
Read more...
Wi-Fi 7 tri-band connectivity module
iCorp Technologies
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel has introduced the FCE870Q, a compact short range wireless connectivity module designed for next generation IoT devices that require high throughput, low latency, and reliable operation in dense wireless environments.
Read more...
Compact cellular IoT SiP with GNSS
RF Design
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Combining low-power connectivity, edge processing, and positioning capabilities in a compact module, Nordic’s nRF9151 targets applications such as asset tracking, smart metering, industrial monitoring, and smart city infrastructure.
Read more...
Enabling the next generation of high-performance wireless designs
iCorp Technologies
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Espressif Systems has expanded its wireless connectivity portfolio with the introduction of the ESP32-E22, a high-performance connectivity co-processor designed for next generation embedded and IoT systems.
Read more...