NTAG 210/212/213/215/216

The NXP NTAG 210/212/213/215/216 operates as an NFC Forum Type 2 tag compliant with ISO/IEC 14443 Type A. RF communication uses 13.56 MHz carrier frequency with 106 kbit/s data rate. The IC employs ASK 100% modulation for reader-to-tag communication and load modulation with Manchester encoding or modified Miller encoding for tag-to-reader communication. Anti-collision follows the ISO/IEC 14443-3A standard using a cascade level-1 UID (single 4-byte UID for NTAG 210/212/213, single 7-byte UID for NTAG 215/216). Memory is organized in pages of 4 bytes each, with a fixed memory architecture comprising UID/serial number pages, static lock bytes, capability container (CC), user memory, dynamic lock bytes, configuration pages, and password/authentication pages. The memory sizes differ by variant: NTAG 210 (48 bytes user memory), NTAG 212 (128 bytes), NTAG 213 (144 bytes), NTAG 215 (504 bytes), NTAG 216 (888 bytes). The chip includes a SRAM-like memory interface with page-based addressing.

Potential applications include:

• NFC Marketing: URL storage, smart posters, product information retrieval, where the small memory footprint and NFC Forum compatibility enable direct smartphone interaction without dedicated app installation
• Access Control: Low-security credential applications, membership cards, event ticketing using the 7-byte UID or password authentication feature
• Brand Protection: Basic product authentication through UID readout and optional password-protected memory access; note that this family lacks advanced cryptographic authentication features found in NTAG 24x DNA or NTAG 223 DNA / 224 DNA

These are potential uses based on the chip's documented capabilities; actual deployed implementations require validation against specific security and performance requirements.

Reader compatibility: Any ISO/IEC 14443 Type A or NFC Forum Type 2 compliant reader/writer. No dedicated reader required—standard NFC smartphones can read and write.

Key commands: The command set follows NFC Forum Type 2 specification: READ (read 4 pages / 16 bytes), WRITE (write 1 page / 4 bytes), SECTTRIG (sector select for memory above 1 kbit), GET_VERSION (retrieve product version information for chip identification), READ_SIG (read ECC signature where applicable), CHECK_PASSWORD / PWD_AUTH (password authentication).

Memory layout: First pages are factory-locked (UID, BCC, internal). Page 3 contains static lock bytes. Page 4 is the Capability Container (CC) defining memory size and read/write access. User memory starts at page 5 (NTAG 213/215/216) or page 4 (NTAG 210/212 with adjusted layout). Dynamic lock bytes reside in user memory area. Configuration pages include password, PACK (password acknowledge), and access control bits at memory top.

Security features: 32-bit password protection with programmable access conditions per page (read/write protection). Originality signature via READ_SIG for optional validation. No AES, no DES, no mutual authentication—password is unidirectional and transmitted in clear.

Pitfalls: Static lock bits are irreversible once set. Dynamic lock bits can protect upper memory but must be configured before deployment. Password protection does not encrypt memory contents—only restricts access. GET_VERSION response distinguishes variants; do not assume memory size from UID alone. 7-byte UID variants (NTAG 215/216) require proper cascade handling in custom readers.

• Confirm exact part number: NTAG 210, 212, 213, 215, or 216—memory sizes differ significantly (48–888 bytes user memory)
• Request document revision of full datasheet and NTAG application notes for firmware compatibility
• Clarify UID length requirement: 4-byte (210/212/213) vs. 7-byte (215/216)—affects anti-collision implementation
• Verify package form factor: wafer, MOA8, or other NXP-standard offerings for your assembly process
• Confirm password authentication requirement vs. plain NFC Type 2 operation—some variants may have different feature configurations
• Request samples for smartphone compatibility testing across iOS and Android NFC stacks
• Validate originality signature functionality if brand protection use is intended
• Inquire about NXP's product longevity program status for industrial applications