SparkFun Qwiic Dynamic NFC/RFID Tag

A dynamic NFC/RFID tag featuring a built-in PCB antenna and 64-kbit of EEPROM that can be accessed via I2C or wireless RF, even when the board is unpowered.


Description

Make your next project interact directly with smartphones and RFID readers using the SparkFun Qwiic Dynamic NFC/RFID Tag. Built around the Near-Field Communication (NFC)/Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) ST25DV64KC IC from STMicroelectronics©, this tag provides 64-kbit (8-kbytes) of EEPROM memory that can be accessed via both a wired I2C connection and wireless RF. What makes this board incredibly useful is its ability to be read from and written to via NFC, even when your main circuit is completely powered down or disconnected!

Connection Options and Built-In Range

This board offers two distinct interfaces for powering and communicating with the ST25DV64KC. A pair of onboard Qwiic connectors routes the SDA/SCL lines alongside 3.3V and Ground, so you can start communicating over I2C instantly without soldering. For more permanent installations or custom breadboarding, a standard 0.1-inch-spaced PTH header breaks out the power pins, I2C interface, energy-harvesting pin (VEH), and general-purpose output (GPO).

To establish a reliable wireless connection, the board features a built-in PCB antenna designed to boost the RF read range. In real-world testing, this provides a comfortable scanning distance of a few centimeters when used with a standard smartphone NFC reader app.

Smart Features for Advanced Projects

Beyond basic data storage, this tag is packed with features for advanced RF applications and conforms to the ISO/IEC 15693 and NFC Forum Type 5 standards, ensuring excellent compatibility with modern devices.

  • Data Letterbox: Features a fast transfer mode that uses a 256-byte buffer to quickly pass data between an I2C-connected microcontroller and an RF device.
  • Energy Harvesting: Includes a dedicated pin capable of outputting microwatts of power when the board is placed in an RF field of sufficient strength.
  • Configurable Interrupts: A general-purpose output (GPO) pin can trigger external interrupts for events like RF field changes, I2C writes, or RF activity.
  • Custom Security: Protect your data by dividing the user memory into up to four configurable areas, each of which can be secured with distinct 64-bit passwords for both I2C and RF access.

Ready for Your Smartphone

To make integration as smooth as possible, our comprehensive Arduino Library includes everything you need to modify memory regions, implement password controls, and format your data. We have also included built-in methods for reading and writing NDEF (NFC Forum Data Exchange Format) records. This means you can easily program the tag to share URLs, WiFi credentials, or plain text that a smartphone can natively interpret, and it has been fully tested with apps such as ST's "NFC Tap" (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play) and wakdev's "NFC Tools."

Whether you are building an interactive art installation, a smart inventory system, or simply want to share WiFi credentials with guests with a tap on their phone, this tag gives you the memory and flexibility to make it happen!


Specifications

ST25DV64KC Features:

  • Contactless Interface
    • Based on ISO/IEC 15693
    • NFC Forum Type 5 tag certified by the NFC Forum
    • Supports all ISO/IEC 15693 modulations, coding, sub-carrier modes, and data rates
    • Custom fast read access up to 53kbit/s
  • Memory
    • 64-kBit (8-kByte) of EEPROM
    • I2C interface accesses bytes
    • RF interface accesses blocks of 4 bytes
    • Write time:
      • From I2C: typical 5ms for 1 up to 16 bytes
      • From RF: typical 5ms for 1 block
    • Data retention: 40 years
    • Write cycle endurance: 400k to 1 million, depending on temperature
  • Data protection
    • User memory: one to four configurable areas, protectable in read and/or write by three 64-bit passwords in RF and one 64‑bit password in I2C
    • System configuration: protected in write by a 64-bit password in RF and a 64-bit password in I2C
  • General Purpose Output (GPO) pin
    • Interrupt pin configurable on multiple RF and I2C events
  • Energy Harvesting
  • Supply Voltage: 1.8VMin, 5.5VMax
    • Note: Qwiic bus operates at 3.3VMax
  • I2C Addresses:
    • User Memory: 0x53
    • System Memory: 0x57
    • RF Switch Off: 0x51
    • RF Switch On: 0x55

Arduino Library Features:

  • Read and write EEPROM memory via I2C
  • Change the size of the four user memory areas
  • Apply different levels of protection to the four areas
  • Change the I2C password
  • Read and Write NDEF (NFC Forum Data Exchange Format) records:
    • URI
    • WiFi
    • Text

Resources

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