HF 13.56 MHzNXP

MIFARE DESFire EV2

Name: NXP MIFARE DESFire EV2
Brand: NXP

The NXP MIFARE DESFire EV2 is an HF 13.56 MHz RFID tag IC, with 2 kB, 4 kB, 8 kB, 16 kB, or 32 kB EEPROM (data retention 25 years, 500,000 write cycles typical), operating at 13.56 MHz, under ISO/IEC 14443-A (all levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4, ISO/IEC 7816-4 (partial) NFC compatible.

Enhanced EV1 with transaction MAC and proximity check

Official Datasheet ↗

Frequency

13.56 MHz

Protocol

ISO/IEC 14443-A (all levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4, ISO/IEC 7816-4 (partial), NFC compatible

Memory

2 kB, 4 kB, 8 kB, 16 kB, or 32 kB EEPROM (data retention 25 years, 500,000 write cycles typical)

Interface

RF contactless (106, 212, 424, 848 kbit/s)

Temp Range

-25°C to +70°C ambient, -55°C to +125°C storage

Form Factor

FFC wafer (8-inch 75/120 µm or 12-inch 75/150 µm thickness), MOA4 module (SOT500-2), MOB6 module (SOT500-3); standard (17 pF) or high (70 pF) input capacitance variants

Full Specifications

Manufacturer	NXP
Frequency Category	HF 13.56 MHz
Frequency	13.56 MHz
Protocol	ISO/IEC 14443-A (all levels), ISO/IEC 14443-4, ISO/IEC 7816-4 (partial), NFC compatible
Memory	2 kB, 4 kB, 8 kB, 16 kB, or 32 kB EEPROM (data retention 25 years, 500,000 write cycles typical)
Interface	RF contactless (106, 212, 424, 848 kbit/s)
Temperature Range	-25°C to +70°C ambient, -55°C to +125°C storage
Form Factor	FFC wafer (8-inch 75/120 µm or 12-inch 75/150 µm thickness), MOA4 module (SOT500-2), MOB6 module (SOT500-3); standard (17 pF) or high (70 pF) input capacitance variants
Security	Common Criteria EAL5+ certified; AES-128, 3DES (3KTDEA, 168-bit), 2KTDEA (112-bit), Single DES (56-bit); CMAC (8 bytes); mutual three-pass authentication; Random ID option; ECC originality signature; proximity check; transaction MAC; hardware exception sensors

Engineering Brief

The MIFARE DESFire EV2 is NXP's third-generation contactless multi-application IC, offering flexible file-based memory organization with up to 32 kB EEPROM and unlimited applications per card. It supports multiple cryptographic engines (DES/3DES/AES-128) with EAL5+ Common Criteria certification and introduces advanced features such as delegated application management (MIsmartApp), transaction MAC, multiple key sets (up to 16), virtual card architecture, proximity check (relay attack prevention), and ECC-based originality verification. ISO/IEC 14443-A compliant with configurable data rates up to 848 kbit/s and backward compatible with DESFire D40/EV1, it is ideal for secure multi-service deployments in transit, payment, and identity applications. The chip is available as bare wafers or pre-packaged modules with standard (17 pF) or high (70 pF) antenna coupling options.

Typical Applications

Standards & Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What memory sizes are available for the MIFARE DESFire EV2?

The MIFARE DESFire EV2 is available in five memory configurations: 2 kB, 4 kB, 8 kB, 16 kB, and 32 kB EEPROM with 25-year data retention and 500,000 write cycles.

What encryption does the DESFire EV2 support?

The DESFire EV2 supports AES-128, 3DES (3KTDEA 168-bit), 2KTDEA (112-bit), and Single DES (56-bit) encryption with mutual three-pass authentication and CMAC. It is Common Criteria EAL5+ certified.

Is MIFARE DESFire EV2 NFC compatible?

Yes, the DESFire EV2 is NFC compatible and supports ISO/IEC 14443-A at all levels, ISO/IEC 14443-4, and operates at data rates of 106, 212, 424, and 848 kbit/s.

What is the proximity check feature on DESFire EV2?

The proximity check is a relay attack prevention mechanism that verifies the physical proximity of the card to the reader, protecting against man-in-the-middle attacks in contactless transactions.

Is DESFire EV2 backward compatible with earlier DESFire versions?

Yes, the MIFARE DESFire EV2 is backward compatible with DESFire D40 and DESFire EV1, allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure while offering enhanced security features.

How many applications can run on a DESFire EV2 chip?

The DESFire EV2 supports unlimited applications per card with flexible file-based memory organization, making it ideal for multi-service deployments across transit, payment, and access control.

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