HF 13.56 MHzNXP

MIFARE DESFire EV1

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV1 is an HF 13.56 MHz RFID tag IC, with 2 kB or 4 kB or 8 kB EEPROM (up to 28 applications, 32 files per application), operating at 13.56 MHz, under ISO/IEC 14443-A (all 4 levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4 optional ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands.

AES/3DES multi-application, transport and access

Official Datasheet ↗
Frequency
13.56 MHz
Protocol
ISO/IEC 14443-A (all 4 levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4, optional ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands
Memory
2 kB or 4 kB or 8 kB EEPROM (up to 28 applications, 32 files per application)
Interface
RF (contactless)
Temp Range
-25°C to +70°C (ambient)
Form Factor
FFC (8-inch wafer, 120 µm sawn), PLLMC/MOA4 (SOT500-2), PLLMC/MOA8 (SOT500-4)

Full Specifications

ManufacturerNXP
Frequency CategoryHF 13.56 MHz
Frequency13.56 MHz
ProtocolISO/IEC 14443-A (all 4 levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4, optional ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands
Memory2 kB or 4 kB or 8 kB EEPROM (up to 28 applications, 32 files per application)
InterfaceRF (contactless)
Temperature Range-25°C to +70°C (ambient)
Form FactorFFC (8-inch wafer, 120 µm sawn), PLLMC/MOA4 (SOT500-2), PLLMC/MOA8 (SOT500-4)
Security3DES (56/112/168-bit keys), AES-128, mutual three-pass authentication, 8-byte CMAC, hardware exception sensors, Common Criteria EAL4+, optional Random ID, data encryption on RF channel

Engineering Brief

The MIFARE DESFire EV1 (MF3ICD(H)21/41/81) is a Common Criteria EAL4+ certified contactless multi-application IC operating at 13.56 MHz with ISO/IEC 14443-A compliance. It offers flexible memory organization (2/4/8 kB EEPROM) supporting up to 28 applications with 32 files each, using a transaction-oriented file system with automatic anti-tear protection. Security features include hardware DES/3DES/AES cryptographic engines, mutual authentication, 8-byte CMAC, RF-channel encryption, and data transfer rates up to 848 kbit/s. Available in wafer (17 pF or 70 pF input capacitance) and module formats, with 10-year data retention and 500k write cycles typical.

Typical Applications

Standards & Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What memory sizes are available for the MIFARE DESFire EV1?

The MIFARE DESFire EV1 is available in three memory configurations: 2 kB (MF3ICD21), 4 kB (MF3ICD41), and 8 kB (MF3ICD81) EEPROM. Each version supports up to 28 applications with 32 files per application.

What encryption algorithms does the DESFire EV1 support?

The DESFire EV1 supports both DES/3DES (56/112/168-bit keys) and AES-128 encryption via dedicated hardware cryptographic engines. It implements mutual three-pass authentication, 8-byte CMAC, and RF-channel data encryption for secure communications.

Is the MIFARE DESFire EV1 Common Criteria certified?

Yes, the MIFARE DESFire EV1 is Common Criteria EAL4+ certified, providing a high level of security assurance with hardware exception sensors and comprehensive cryptographic protection.

What data transfer speeds does the DESFire EV1 support?

The MIFARE DESFire EV1 supports ISO/IEC 14443-A data transfer rates up to 848 kbit/s at 13.56 MHz, providing fast transaction processing for high-throughput applications.

Does the DESFire EV1 have anti-tear protection?

Yes, the DESFire EV1 includes automatic anti-tear protection through its transaction-oriented file system, ensuring data integrity during write operations even if power is lost or the card is removed mid-transaction.

What is the data retention and write endurance of the DESFire EV1?

The MIFARE DESFire EV1 offers 10-year data retention and typical write endurance of 500,000 cycles, making it suitable for long-term deployments in access control and transit systems.

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