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Find the right NFC chip - for every use case
NFC tags are used in many different areas. The NFC chips are just as diverse as the industries themselves. This often raises the question of which NFC chip is actually suitable for which application. The differences between NFC chips and which ones are best suited to your application are explained below.
In this article you will learn more about NFC chips for...
- Everyday applications
- locking systems
- Enterprise applications (access control, payments, product labeling and more)
- How much memory your NFC tag needs depending on the application
1. NFC chips for everyday use
NFC chips are perfect for everyday use. They allow you to change smartphone settings, launch apps, pair NFC devices with your phone, make digital business cards, send greetings and even improve organization in your home.
The best chips for everyday use are the NTAG series chips from NXP. The NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216 are particularly suitable.
That's why the NTAG series is so practical for everyday use:
✓ Enables easy writing and reading of NFC tags
✓ Cost-effective
✓ Compatible with all NFC-enabled smartphones
2. NFC chips for locking systems
With the help of NFC, NFC locks can be opened using corresponding NFC tags or NFC cards. Access to buildings should therefore be secure but efficient. To grant access, the lock compares the UID of the corresponding tag or card and opens if the tag or card is registered.
MIFARE Classic & DESFire
Suitable chips for this application are the MIFARE Classic for older systems and the MIFARE DESFire series for newer locking systems. The DESFire series in particular has an encryption algorithm that makes the chip particularly secure. They offer the following features that make them ideal for this application:
✓ Offers more security through encryption
✓ Offers a lot of storage capacity (up to 8 KB)
✓ Good price-performance ratio
✓ Compatible with all smartphones
NXP EM4200
The NXP EM4200 also offers a good alternative for locking systems. Unlike other NFC chips, this is an RFID chip that only supports the reading of the serial number. It is compatible with specific locking systems and is a good choice for locking systems that do not have particularly high security requirements.
✓ Cost-effective and widely used
✓ Robust and suitable for different environments
✓ Backwards compatibility with existing systems
Depending on the provider of an NFC lock, the support of NFC chip types may vary. You should therefore check with your provider beforehand to find out exactly which chip types they support.
3. NFC chips for enterprise applications
3.1. Security chips
MIFARE DESFire
The MIFARE DESFire chips from NXP are particularly suitable for various company-related security applications such as the use of smart cards, contactless payments and access control in company buildings. Thanks to their encryption algorithm, they offer the necessary security for sensitive data.
The newer versions of the chip, e.g. the MIFARE DESFire EV3, also offer additional and improved security functions. For example, the EV3 can set a timer for transactions and add a hash value to NDEF messages. The chip series is also compatible with all smartphones.
Due to the special functions and high security requirements, special hardware (locking system) or software (app) is required for this chip series.
Infineon SECORA Pay
The Infineon SECORA Pay, which was specially manufactured for contactless payments, is particularly suitable for contactless payments.
It offers various security functions that protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and fraud. It is therefore based on the EAL 6+ security certification, which makes it particularly resistant to tampering.
NTAG DNA
The NTAG424 DNA is ideally suited for security applications such as product authentication, secure transactions and access control due to its various functions and features. It is also particularly forgery-proof. The NTAG DNA series is constantly improving its security offering with newer versions of the chip series.
It offers the following functions:
✓ One-time password (OTP) generation for dynamic authentication
✓ AES-128 encryption for increased security
✓ Anti-cloning technology for product protection and counterfeit protection
✓ Advanced file security function
3.2. NFC chips for product labeling
Another popular application of NFC in companies is the labeling of products. This can be used for product certification, but can also facilitate the inventory of products. On the one hand, NFC tags can be used to describe products with important information that can be used for authenticity certification and for further product information. On the other hand, logistics and product management can be facilitated by smartly changing and adjusting stock levels.
ICODE SLIX Chip
The ICODE SLIX chip, which is frequently used in the pharmaceutical, medical and alcohol industries, is suitable for such applications. It is perfect for product labeling due to the following properties:
✓ Readable from greater distances
✓ Fast reading speed for efficient detection of products
✓ Protective functions such as password protection
✓ Anti-collision function so that multiple tags can be used individually in the same environment
STMicroelectronics ST25
As an alternative, the STMicroelectronics ST25 series is also perfect for product labeling, logistics, smart packaging and asset tracking. These advantages make this chip series so special:
✓ NFC chips that can work both passively and actively
✓ Different storage capacities and security levels
✓ Use EEPROMS to store information that needs to be changed frequently
Another special feature of the ST25 chips is that they can be found inside dynamic NFC tags, which contain RFID-based ICs and work with a microcontroller. This allows the NFC tag to adapt data dynamically.
In conjunction with sensors, dynamic NFC tags can update information autonomously. For example, a warning can be issued when a threshold value is reached. In addition, real-time information can be provided to the user, e.g. about the freshness of a product.
3.3. Other business applications
In addition to the applications for companies already explained in detail, there are a number of other applications in which NFC is relevant. Which NFC chips are suitable for these are presented below:
Marketing applications: No special security measures are required for various marketing applications such as competitions, digital business cards or digital flyers. It is only important that the NFC chip can be easily written to and read.
These properties make the NXP NTAG chips the most suitable.
Working time recording: For simple working time recording within a company, no special security requirements are usually needed, which is why the NTAG series is completely sufficient for this. For companies with critical security requirements, however, we recommend the MIFARE DESFire series for adequate protection against tampering by third parties.
Information on exhibits: The NTAG series is suitable for interacting with exhibits in museums, but also for other interactive information material that you would like to provide for your customers. These are completely sufficient for writing and reading and can also be provided with password protection.
In Asia, the Sony FeliCa chip series is often used for various applications such as ticket controls, contactless payments, access control systems, gaming cards or menus.
4. The memory question - How much memory does my NFC chip need?
How much memory an NFC tag needs always depends on the application. However, all NFC tags have a very low memory capacity compared to other storage media. This means that only a limited amount of information can be written to an NFC chip.
Short texts and links can therefore be written directly to an NFC chip. However, we do not recommend storing larger amounts of data such as audio or images directly on an NFC chip and instead store them indirectly on the NFC chip using a link or short command.
Further examples of how much memory certain information consumes on NFC chips can be found in the following table:
| Use case | Example | Storage with NDEF Data | Recommended Chip |
| Simple Text | Hello NFC21 | 18 Byte | NXP NTAG213 |
| Web adress | www.nfc-tag-shop.de | 20 Byte | NXP NTAG213 |
| Sending a SMS | Title: Favourite person Number: 01721234567 Text: Hello, I'm arriving at home in 10 minutes. Your Jon |
114 Byte |
NXP NTAG213 |
| Telephone number | Title: Jon Smith Number: 01721234567 |
42 Bytes |
NXP NTAG213 |
| Changing Smartphone settings | z.B. Bluetooth on/off, Wifi on/off |
83 Bytes (Varies depending on the app) |
NXP NTAG213 |
| Sending an E-mail |
Title: General e-mail |
181 Byte |
NXP NTAG215 |
| Amiibo backup copy |
Backup copy of an existing Nintento Amiibo figure |
480 Byte |
NXP NTAG215 |
| Business card |
Title: Ph.D. |
329 Byte |
NXP NTAG216 |
5. Summary
NFC chips offer a wide range of possible uses, from everyday applications to business solutions. NTAG chips are ideal for simple tasks such as launching apps or creating digital business cards. MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire chips are used in locking systems, with the latter offering high security and encryption.
Corporate applications such as access control and contactless payments, on the other hand, benefit from MIFARE DESFire and Infineon SECORA Pay. The ICODE SLIX chip is particularly suitable for product labeling, while the Microelectronics ST25 series is also used for dynamic applications.
It is also important to pay attention to how much memory the respective NFC application requires, as this can vary. This should always be taken into account when choosing a chip.
We are also happy to advise you and help you find the right product with the ideal chip for your application.
We also offer you the right NFC chips for your application:
