HF Legacy 
MIFARE Classic 1K
For existing MIFARE Classic systems. Only partially readable by smartphone.
Security Broken
Memory 1 KB
Fudan F08 (FM11RF08): Technical Data, Security and Use
The Fudan F08, technically FM11RF08, is a contactless HF RFID chip from Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics for 13.56 MHz. It operates according to ISO/IEC 14443 Type A at 106 kbit/s and has 1,024 bytes of EEPROM. The memory is divided into 16 sectors of four blocks with 16 bytes each. For access, the chip uses mutual three-pass authentication and two keys per sector.
Today, the FM11RF08 is mainly relevant for existing installations and reorders. We therefore offer it mainly for existing systems. Fudan itself now describes the FM11RF08S as an upgrade of the older RF08. In addition, a hardware backdoor in the original FM11RF08 was published in 2024. The chip is therefore not recommended for new applications with increased security requirements.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co., Ltd. |
| Product family | FM11RF08 |
| Type designation | FM11RF08 |
| RFID class | HF |
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A |
| Data rate | 106 kbit/s |
| EEPROM / total memory | 1,024 bytes / 8 Kbit |
| Memory structure | 16 sectors of 4 blocks with 16 bytes each |
| Regular data area | 47 data blocks or 752 bytes outside the sector trailers and manufacturer block |
| Authentication | Mutual three-pass authentication |
| Encryption | Proprietary stream cipher; referred to by the manufacturer as “M1 standard” |
| Key management | 6-byte Key A and optionally 6-byte Key B per sector; access conditions in the sector trailer |
| UID / serial number | 32 bits / 4 bytes, write-protected in the manufacturer block |
| Anti-collision | Yes |
| Read range | Up to 100 mm according to Fudan, depending on antenna geometry and reader |
| Write cycles | 100,000 cycles according to the data sheet |
| Data retention | 10 years |
| Value functions | Increment, Decrement, Transfer and Restore |
| Smartphone NFC | Limited and device-dependent; full authenticated access not guaranteed across platforms |
| Product status | Legacy |
| Typical media | RFID card; other transponder designs depending on project and availability |
| Security rating | Broken |
| Recommendation | Mainly for existing installations and reorders |
The FM11RF08 has a total of 64 memory blocks. 16 of them are sector trailers with keys and access rights. Block 0 contains the fixed 32-bit serial number, among other things, and is write-protected. This leaves 47 regular data blocks with a total of 752 bytes outside the sector trailers and the manufacturer block. Fudan specifies a range of up to 100 mm, depending on antenna geometry and reader.
Typical Applications
The FM11RF08 was developed for contactless card applications that require several separately protected memory areas. The Fudan F08 is positioned in the following application areas in particular:
- Replacement orders and reorders for existing FM11RF08 installations
- existing access control and locking systems with proven FM11RF08 support
- ticketing and fare cards in older system architectures
- existing stored-value and micropayment systems
- membership and loyalty cards in existing infrastructure
The Fudan F08 is mainly built into RFID cards. Depending on the project, other designs such as RFID key fobs are also possible, provided the FM11RF08 is available in the desired transponder form and the reader and antenna geometry are designed for it.
Security
Security level: Broken
The FM11RF08 uses sector-based authentication with Key A and optionally Key B as well as proprietary encryption. However, practical attacks and a hardware backdoor have been documented for the chip.
The chip may still be required for existing installations. For new applications with higher security requirements, a current chip family with modern cryptography should be considered.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fudan F08
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 1 KB EEPROM with 16 separately configurable sectors | Published hardware backdoor; security is considered broken |
| Key A and optional Key B allow separate access rights per sector | Proprietary older cryptography instead of modern AES authentication |
| ISO/IEC 14443 Type A at 106 kbit/s | Smartphone access not guaranteed across platforms and devices |
| Integrated Increment, Decrement, Transfer and Restore functions | Of 1,024 bytes of EEPROM, 752 bytes remain in regular data blocks outside the reserved areas |
Alternatives to Fudan F08
Depending on the existing reader infrastructure, security requirements and desired smartphone support, other chip types may be better suited.
HF / NFC Recommendation 
MIFARE DESFire EV3
For new access control, ID card and multi-application systems.
Security AES-128
Memory 2 / 4 / 8 / 16 KB
HF / NFC Recommendation 
NTAG 213 / 215 / 216
For NFC applications with smartphones and NDEF content.
Security PWD
Memory 144–888 B
Frequently Asked Questions about Fudan F08
How much memory does the Fudan F08 have?
The Fudan F08, or FM11RF08, has 1,024 bytes of EEPROM. The memory is divided into 16 sectors of four blocks with 16 bytes each. The fourth block of each sector contains the keys and access conditions. Block 0 is reserved as a write-protected manufacturer block. This leaves 47 regular data blocks with a total of 752 bytes outside the sector trailers and the manufacturer block.
How secure is the Fudan F08?
The FM11RF08 uses sector-based authentication with Key A and optionally Key B as well as proprietary encryption. However, practical attacks and a hardware backdoor have been documented for the chip. The security level is therefore classified as “Broken”. The chip may still be required for existing installations. For new applications with higher security requirements, a current chip family with modern cryptography should be considered.
Can the Fudan F08 be read with a smartphone?
Partially. The FM11RF08 operates at 13.56 MHz and ISO/IEC 14443 Type A and can therefore generally be detected by NFC smartphones. However, access to the protected memory areas and the chip-specific authentication are not supported by every smartphone. On Android, support depends on the built-in NFC hardware. With iPhones, too, support for ISO/IEC 14443 A does not imply full support for all FM11RF08 functions. For smartphone applications, the function should therefore be tested with the intended devices.
Which readers support the Fudan F08?
The reader must operate at 13.56 MHz and ISO/IEC 14443 Type A. For full access, it must also support the authentication and memory commands of the FM11RF08. The radio standard alone therefore does not guarantee that an existing system will work with the chip. For replacement orders and reorders, the reader model, firmware, sectors used, key structure and encoding should be checked.
What is the difference between Fudan F08 and FM11RF08S?
The FM11RF08S is the revised version of the original FM11RF08. Fudan describes the RF08S as an upgrade with improved protection against attacks on the implementation of the security algorithm. Memory size, ISO/IEC 14443 A interface and basic use remain similar. However, independent security researchers have also demonstrated a hardware backdoor in the FM11RF08S. For new systems with high security requirements, the RF08S is therefore not automatically an alternative to chip families with current cryptography.
When does the Fudan F08 still make sense today?
The Fudan F08 is mainly relevant for existing installations that explicitly work with the FM11RF08. These include, for example, replacement cards or additional transponders for existing access control, ticketing or membership systems. Before reordering, it should be checked whether the readers and backend actually expect the FM11RF08. For new applications with higher security requirements or a focus on smartphone NFC, other chip types are generally better suited.
Is the Fudan F08 still being produced?
The original FM11RF08 no longer appears in the current international product overview of Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics. There, the manufacturer lists the FM11RF08S and describes it as an upgrade of the older FM11RF08. However, Fudan does not state a clear official status such as “Discontinued” for the FM11RF08 in the current overview. For reorders, the exact chip version and its availability should therefore be confirmed in advance.
What is the read range of the Fudan F08?
Fudan specifies an operating distance of up to 100 mm, or about 10 cm, for the FM11RF08. The value depends on the antenna geometry. In practice, the reader, field strength, transponder antenna, card construction and installation situation also influence the achievable distance. For an existing system, the range should therefore be checked with the intended medium and the reader actually used.
Technical sources
Data as of: September 2026
The technical information is based on the Fudan „FM11RF08 8KBits Contactless Card IC – Functional Specification“, Ver. 2.1 dated May 2008 and the current product information from Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics. For today's classification, the current Fudan product overview was also checked. There, the FM11RF08S is listed as a revised version of the original FM11RF08.
The information on smartphone support is based on the NFC documentation from Android and Apple. For the security classification, the study by Philippe Teuwen, IACR Cryptology ePrint 2024/1275, was used. Among other things, it examines the Fudan FM11RF08 and documents a hardware backdoor in the chip.
Trademark notice
Fudan, FM11RF08 and FM11RF08S are product names of Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co., Ltd. MIFARE and MIFARE Classic are trademarks of NXP B.V. Other product and brand names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.