RFID and NFC Chip Types Compared

RFID stands for “Radio Frequency Identification”. The technology identifies people, cards, goods or other objects contactlessly via radio.

An RFID system consists of a transponder with chip and antenna and a suitable reader. Cards, key fobs and labels usually use passive transponders. They have no battery of their own. The reader generates an electromagnetic field from which the transponder draws the required energy and then transmits its data.

Active and semi-passive RFID tags, on the other hand, have their own power supply. They are mainly used for special tracking applications and play a lesser role in classic plastic cards.

NFC stands for “Near Field Communication” and technically belongs to the HF range of RFID technology. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and is designed for short distances.

An important difference in practice is smartphone use. Modern smartphones usually have an NFC interface and can communicate directly with suitable NFC chips. However, this does not mean that every 13.56 MHz chip can automatically be fully read with every smartphone. Chip type, protocol, operating system, app and security configuration determine which data is accessible.

An NTAG 213 with a stored URL can typically be used directly with a smartphone. A protected DESFire access card also operates at 13.56 MHz, but its protected data cannot be read freely. LF chips with 125 kHz and classic UHF tags cannot be read directly with the NFC module of a normal smartphone.

In an existing system, the first step should be to check which chip types the existing reader supports.

A 125 kHz reader cannot read a 13.56 MHz chip. Even within the same frequency band, chip types are not automatically interchangeable. The specification “MIFARE” alone is therefore often not sufficient. A reader for MIFARE Classic does not necessarily support every DESFire or Ultralight configuration.

For checking compatibility, the manufacturer and model of the reader, the chip type used so far, the frequency, the system in use and, ideally, an existing card are particularly helpful.

When changing the chip standard, new readers or a changed system configuration may be required.

The security differences between RFID chips are considerable. Some simple chips only transmit a fixed identifier. EM4100 / EM4200, for example, has no modern encryption. The Crypto-1 encryption of MIFARE Classic is also considered broken, i.e. it can easily be overcome with known methods.

For security-critical applications such as company access control or multi-application ID cards, chips with cryptographic authentication are suitable. MIFARE DESFire EV3, for example, uses AES-128, while LEGIC advant uses 3DES or AES-128 for data transmission, depending on the IC.

The memory requirement depends on the application. If the chip only transmits an identification number and the actual information is stored in the backend system, little memory is sufficient. More memory is required if several applications are to reside on one card, such as access control, time recording, canteen credit or secure printing.

No.

Normal smartphones mainly have an NFC interface for suitable technologies in the 13.56 MHz range. LF chips with 125 kHz and classic UHF tags cannot be read directly with it. Even with HF, 13.56 MHz does not automatically mean that every chip can be fully read with every smartphone. Protocol, app and security configuration also play a role.

For simple smartphone applications such as URLs, digital business cards, product information or NFC marketing, NTAG 213, NTAG 215 and NTAG 216 are particularly suitable.

Protected applications have different requirements. MIFARE DESFire EV3 can be part of an app or system solution, but is not a freely readable marketing tag.

If the smartphone is to completely replace the physical card as an ID or credential, selecting the card chip is not enough. Readers, software and credential platform must also support mobile credentials.

Yes, if the entire access control system supports mobile credentials. Readers, software and credential platform must be designed accordingly. The choice of the physical card chip alone does not determine whether a smartphone can be used as an ID.

For new access control systems with higher security requirements, MIFARE DESFire EV3 is often a suitable choice. With an existing LEGIC infrastructure, LEGIC advant may be required. For existing installations, it must first be clarified which chip the existing reader supports.

Not automatically.

Although both operate in the HF range at 13.56 MHz, they use different protocols and security mechanisms. The existing reader must support DESFire and be configured accordingly.

For a simple digital business card with a web link, NTAG 213 is often sufficient. NTAG 215 and NTAG 216 offer more memory if larger amounts of data are to be stored directly on the chip.

UHF is generally used for logistics, retail and inventory.

Alien Higgs-9 is suitable if additional data is to be stored directly on the tag alongside the EPC identifier.
Impinj M700 is geared toward retail and item-level tagging.
NXP UCODE DNA is an option if stronger authentication is also required.

First check the manufacturer and model of the card reader, the locking or access control system used and existing cards.

However, the external form is of little help in identification. Two visually identical plastic cards can contain different frequencies, chips and security mechanisms.