FM11RF08 vs MIFARE Plus S / X

FM11RF08 offers MIFARE Classic compatibility with CRYPTO1 encryption, while MIFARE Plus adds AES-128 security and ISO 14443-4 support. Compare specs for migration.

Side-by-side specs

Frequency

FM11RF08: 13.56 MHz
MIFARE Plus S / X: 13.56 MHz

Protocol

FM11RF08: ISO/IEC 14443-A
MIFARE Plus S / X: ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, ISO/IEC 14443-4

Memory

FM11RF08: 8 Kbits (1024 x 8 bits) EEPROM, organized in 16 sectors with 4 blocks each, 16 bytes per block
MIFARE Plus S / X: 2 kB or 4 kB EEPROM

Interface

FM11RF08: RF (contactless)
MIFARE Plus S / X: RF (contactless)

Temp Range

FM11RF08: —
MIFARE Plus S / X: -25°C to +70°C

Form Factor

FM11RF08: Contactless card IC (chip for integration into PVC/PET card with antenna)
MIFARE Plus S / X: 8 inch wafer (120 µm thickness, FFC), MOA4 (PLLMC plastic leadless module carrier, SOT500-2)

Security

FM11RF08: Mutual 3-pass authentication, stream cipher encryption, two keys per sector (Key A and Key B), unique serial number
MIFARE Plus S / X: AES-128 authentication and encryption, MIFARE CRYPTO1 keys (2×48-bit per sector), AES keys (2×128-bit per sector), originality signature, anti-tearing mechanism, Common Criteria…

Spec	FM11RF08	MIFARE Plus S / X
Frequency	13.56 MHz	13.56 MHz
Protocol	ISO/IEC 14443-A	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, ISO/IEC 14443-4
Memory	8 Kbits (1024 x 8 bits) EEPROM, organized in 16 sectors with 4 blocks each, 16 bytes per block	2 kB or 4 kB EEPROM
Interface	RF (contactless)	RF (contactless)
Temp Range	—	-25°C to +70°C
Form Factor	Contactless card IC (chip for integration into PVC/PET card with antenna)	8 inch wafer (120 µm thickness, FFC), MOA4 (PLLMC plastic leadless module carrier, SOT500-2)
Security	Mutual 3-pass authentication, stream cipher encryption, two keys per sector (Key A and Key B), unique serial number	AES-128 authentication and encryption, MIFARE CRYPTO1 keys (2×48-bit per sector), AES keys (2×128-bit per sector), originality signature, anti-tearing mechanism, Common Criteria…

Verdict

Choose the FM11RF08 if you need a cost-effective drop-in replacement for legacy MIFARE Classic 1K systems using the existing ISO/IEC 14443-A protocol infrastructure. The FM11RF08 provides 1024 bytes (8 Kbits) of EEPROM organized in 16 sectors with 4 blocks each, using the same mutual 3-pass authentication and stream cipher (CRYPTO1) encryption as the original MIFARE Classic. It supports two keys per sector (Key A and Key B) and maintains backward compatibility with existing readers and software designed for MIFARE Classic 1K/4K command sets. This chip is suitable for access control, public transport ticketing, or loyalty programs where the existing CRYPTO1 security model meets operational requirements and infrastructure replacement costs make migration to stronger cryptography impractical. Choose the MIFARE Plus S or X if you require modern AES-128 cryptographic security while maintaining optional backward compatibility with MIFARE Classic infrastructure during migration. MIFARE Plus provides 2 kB or 4 kB EEPROM options and operates on both ISO/IEC 14443-A and ISO/IEC 14443-4 protocols. The chip offers dual-key architecture with legacy CRYPTO1 keys (2×48-bit per sector) and AES keys (2×128-bit per sector), enabling phased security upgrades. Critical advantages include AES-128 authentication and encryption that address known CRYPTO1 vulnerabilities, originality signature for clone detection, anti-tearing mechanisms for transaction integrity, and Common Criteria EAL4+ certification for high-security applications. The S variant supports seamless migration from Classic mode, while the X variant offers additional features for new deployments requiring payment terminal certification, banking applications, or government ID systems where cryptographic strength and compliance certifications are mandatory.

FAQ

Is FM11RF08 compatible with MIFARE Classic readers?

Yes, the FM11RF08 is designed to be compatible with ISO/IEC 14443 Type A readers and supports the MIFARE Classic 1K/4K command set, making it a functional replacement for existing MIFARE Classic 1K infrastructure.

What security advantage does MIFARE Plus have over FM11RF08?

MIFARE Plus uses AES-128 encryption instead of the CRYPTO1 stream cipher found in FM11RF08. AES-128 provides significantly stronger cryptographic protection and is Common Criteria EAL4+ certified, while CRYPTO1 has known vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Can MIFARE Plus work with existing MIFARE Classic systems?

Yes, MIFARE Plus S and X variants support backward compatibility mode using CRYPTO1 keys, allowing them to operate in existing MIFARE Classic infrastructure while enabling gradual migration to AES-128 security as readers are upgraded.

Sourcing FM11RF08 or MIFARE Plus S / X in volume?

Roxtron builds custom RFID and NFC products around both FM11RF08 and MIFARE Plus S / X. Tell us your project — quantities, form factor, timeline — and we'll come back within 24 hours with pricing and lead times.