MIFARE Ultralight AES vs ST25TV02KC

ISO 14443A MIFARE Ultralight AES with AES-128 vs ISO 15693 ST25TV02KC with password protection. Compare NFC Forum vs ISO 15693 protocols for tickets and inventory.

Side-by-side specs

Frequency

MIFARE Ultralight AES: 13.56 MHz
ST25TV02KC: 13.56 MHz

Protocol

MIFARE Ultralight AES: ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type A, NFC Forum Tag 2 Type
ST25TV02KC: ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 1

Memory

MIFARE Ultralight AES: 144 bytes user memory, 240 bytes total EEPROM (60 pages × 4 bytes)
ST25TV02KC: 256 bytes (2048 bits) EEPROM, organized in 64 blocks of 4 bytes

Interface

MIFARE Ultralight AES: RF contactless (106 kbit/s)
ST25TV02KC: RF (contactless)

Temp Range

MIFARE Ultralight AES: -25°C to +70°C (ambient), -55°C to +125°C (storage)
ST25TV02KC: -25°C to +85°C

Form Factor

MIFARE Ultralight AES: 8-inch wafer (75 µm or 120 µm), MOA8 module
ST25TV02KC: SO8, TSSOP8, UFDFPN8

Security

MIFARE Ultralight AES: AES-128 mutual authentication, ECC-based originality signature (secp192r1), CMAC (NIST SP 800-38B), Random ID (ISO 14443-3), 3× 24-bit one-way counters, failed authentication…
ST25TV02KC: 32-bit password protection, AFI (Application Family Identifier), DSFID (Data Storage Format Identifier), EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance), Kill command for permanent…

Spec	MIFARE Ultralight AES	ST25TV02KC
Frequency	13.56 MHz	13.56 MHz
Protocol	ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type A, NFC Forum Tag 2 Type	ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 1
Memory	144 bytes user memory, 240 bytes total EEPROM (60 pages × 4 bytes)	256 bytes (2048 bits) EEPROM, organized in 64 blocks of 4 bytes
Interface	RF contactless (106 kbit/s)	RF (contactless)
Temp Range	-25°C to +70°C (ambient), -55°C to +125°C (storage)	-25°C to +85°C
Form Factor	8-inch wafer (75 µm or 120 µm), MOA8 module	SO8, TSSOP8, UFDFPN8
Security	AES-128 mutual authentication, ECC-based originality signature (secp192r1), CMAC (NIST SP 800-38B), Random ID (ISO 14443-3), 3× 24-bit one-way counters, failed authentication…	32-bit password protection, AFI (Application Family Identifier), DSFID (Data Storage Format Identifier), EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance), Kill command for permanent…

Verdict

Choose MIFARE Ultralight AES if you need strong cryptographic authentication and NFC smartphone compatibility for applications like transit tickets, event passes, or loyalty cards. This chip operates on ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type A protocol at 13.56 MHz with 106 kbit/s data rate and offers 144 bytes of user memory within 240 bytes total EEPROM. Its security architecture includes AES-128 mutual authentication, ECC-based originality signature using secp192r1 curve, CMAC message authentication, Random ID for privacy protection, three 24-bit one-way counters for limited-use scenarios, failed authentication limits, and 32-bit OTP area. The NFC Forum Tag 2 Type compliance ensures broad compatibility with smartphones and modern readers, making it suitable for applications requiring both security and consumer device interaction. The authentication mechanisms prevent cloning and enable secure credential verification, while counters support pay-per-use models in transit or event access. Choose ST25TV02KC if you need longer read range with ISO 15693 protocol or require Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) functionality for inventory management and anti-theft applications. This chip operates at 13.56 MHz using ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 1 protocols, providing 256 bytes (2048 bits) of EEPROM organized in 64 blocks of 4 bytes each. The ISO 15693 protocol typically enables reading distances up to 1.5 meters compared to the 10cm range of ISO 14443A devices, making it advantageous for warehouse logistics, library management, or retail inventory tracking. Security features include 32-bit password protection, AFI for application filtering, DSFID for data format identification, EAS mode for anti-theft gates, and a permanent Kill command for end-of-life deactivation. However, it lacks the cryptographic authentication of the MIFARE Ultralight AES and is not NFC Forum compliant, meaning limited smartphone compatibility. Choose this for industrial or retail applications prioritizing read range and inventory management over smartphone interaction and cryptographic security.

FAQ

Can smartphones read both MIFARE Ultralight AES and ST25TV02KC tags?

MIFARE Ultralight AES is NFC Forum Tag 2 Type compliant and readable by most NFC smartphones using ISO 14443A protocol. ST25TV02KC uses ISO 15693 protocol which has limited smartphone support, as most phones prioritize ISO 14443A/B standards.

Which chip has stronger security for preventing cloning?

MIFARE Ultralight AES offers significantly stronger security with AES-128 mutual authentication, ECC-based originality signatures, and CMAC message authentication. ST25TV02KC provides only basic 32-bit password protection without cryptographic authentication mechanisms.

What is the read range difference between these chips?

ST25TV02KC using ISO 15693 typically achieves read ranges up to 1.5 meters, suitable for inventory tracking. MIFARE Ultralight AES using ISO 14443A typically operates within 10cm range, designed for close-proximity applications like access cards and tap-to-pay.

Sourcing MIFARE Ultralight AES or ST25TV02KC in volume?

Roxtron builds custom RFID and NFC products around both MIFARE Ultralight AES and ST25TV02KC. Tell us your project — quantities, form factor, timeline — and we'll come back within 24 hours with pricing and lead times.