PN5190 - 13.56MHz High-Power NFC Frontend IC | NXP
MPN: PN5190 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
PN5190 Overview
An NFC frontend is the analog and protocol-engine portion of a near-field communication reader system: it drives the antenna, receives and demodulates the card response, and executes protocol state machines, while a host microcontroller handles application logic. In the system hierarchy, it sits between the antenna coil and the host processor within the RFID/NPC reader IC family, one level below complete reader modules.
Key features include enhanced high RF output power enabling small antenna designs and long reading distances, improved receiver sensitivity for interoperability with a broad range of smartcards and mobile phones, and a feature set specifically engineered to simplify EMVCo 3.0/3.2 analog and digital Level 1 certification, a critical cost and schedule factor for payment terminal manufacturers.
Technically, the PN5190B1 silicon (version B1) runs firmware V2.0 or higher, per the NXP product documentation, and integrates the full 13.56 MHz RF front end, modulation and demodulation chains, and protocol support in a single chip. The supply range for the VFLGA-40 variant is 2.4 V to 6 V, and for the VFBGA-64 EV variant 2.4 V to 5.5 V, allowing direct operation from battery or standard logic rails.
Typical applications include EMVCo-compliant point-of-sale payment terminals, contactless access control readers supporting MIFARE and ISO/IEC 14443, and public transportation ticketing systems using FeliCa and ISO 15693. High output power makes it particularly suitable for terminals with metal surroundings or compact antennas.
Design consideration: NXP application note AN12549 states that PN5190 antenna design follows the same methodology as the PN5180, with additional new features to consider for optimized performance; follow that guide for matching network and EMC filter sizing.
This page synthesizes distributor data, drop-in variant information, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PN5190 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PN5190B2HN
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PN5190B2EV/C131K
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PN5190 Specifications
| Function | NFC Frontend (Reader/Transponder IC) |
| Carrier Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Supported Protocols | FeliCa, ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693, ISO 18000-3, ISO 18092, ISO 21481, MIFARE, NFC |
| Interface (PN5190B1HN/C121E) | SPI |
| Interface (PN5190B2EV/C131K) | I2C, SPI, USB |
| Supply Voltage (HN variant) | 2.4 V to 6 V |
| Supply Voltage (EV variant) | 2.4 V to 5.5 V |
| Package (HN variant) | 40-VFLGA with Exposed Pad |
| Package (EV variant) | 64-VFBGA |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Silicon Version | PN5190B1 (firmware V2.0 or higher) |
| EMVCo Compliance Support | EMVCo 3.0 / 3.2 analog and digital L1 |
| Application Focus | Payment NFC frontend |
| Antenna Design Reference | NXP AN12549 (same methodology as PN5180) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
PN5190 64-vfbga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PN5190 (64-vfbga package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for PN5190.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PN5190 is suitable for 6 applications: EMVCo Payment Terminals, Contactless Access Control Readers, Public Transportation Ticketing, Handheld POS and Mobile Payment Devices, Vending and Unattended Kiosks, Industrial NFC Configuration and Diagnostics Ports.
EMVCo Payment Terminals
The PN5190 was purpose-built as an NFC frontend for payment, and NXP explicitly states its enhanced feature set simplifies EMVCo 3.0 certification while enabling EMVCo 3.2 analog and digital Level 1 compliance. High RF output power and improved receiver sensitivity let point-of-sale terminals pass EMVCo operating-volume field tests even with compact antennas inside metal housings, reducing antenna size and tuning iterations. In a typical design, the PN5190 drives the 13.56 MHz antenna through an EMC filter and matching network, running ISO 14443 and MIFARE protocol layers while the secure element and application MCU handle cryptography and transaction logic. Using the PN5190 shortens certification schedules because its analog performance is pre-optimized for the EMVCo 3.x test suites, a measurable time-to-market benefit for payment terminal OEMs.
Recommended
Contactless Access Control Readers
NXP Community discussions highlight PN5190-based designs for access-control readers that must support MIFARE and ISO/IEC 14443 credentials. The PN5190's receiver sensitivity interoperates with a broad range of smartcards and mobile phones, so one reader handles employee badges, transit-style MIFARE cards, and NFC smartphone credentials without hardware changes. In this application the IC sits behind an SPI-connected host microcontroller that implements door-control logic and, where needed, SAM-based key management. The high RF output power extends read range through mounting surfaces such as metal-backed doors and glass, where conventional frontends lose field strength. Because antenna design follows the same AN12549 methodology as the PN5180, existing PN5180 antenna layouts can be re-tuned for the PN5190, cutting mechanical redesign effort in reader enclosure upgrades.
Recommended
Public Transportation Ticketing
Transit fare systems require FeliCa and ISO/IEC 15693 support alongside ISO 14443, a combination the PN5190 covers natively per DigiKey protocol data. Fare gates operate in high-traffic environments where cards may be presented at varying angles and distances, and the PN5190's high output power plus strong receiver sensitivity maintain reliable transaction completion across that operating envelope. The frontend executes the protocol timing-critical layers in silicon, allowing the host MCU to focus on fare calculation and backend connectivity. Antenna design for gate-mounted coils follows NXP AN12549, and the PN5190's ability to work with small antennas helps fit readers into slim fare-gate pillars. EMVCo-aligned analog compliance also supports open-loop bank-card acceptance that many modern transit networks now require for contactless fare payment.
Recommended
Handheld POS and Mobile Payment Devices
Battery-powered handheld POS terminals benefit from the PN5190's 2.4 V to 6 V supply range on the HN variant, which allows direct connection to single-cell lithium or regulated 3.3 V rails with minimal power-tree complexity. The 40-VFLGA exposed-pad package keeps the RF frontend compact for slim handheld enclosures, and high RF output power compensates for the small, ground-plane-constrained antennas typical of handheld industrial design. In these devices the PN5190 communicates over SPI with the application processor, executing EMVCo-compliant contactless transactions for ISO 14443 and MIFARE payment cards. The PN5190B2EV variant adds I2C and USB interfaces for designs where the host connectivity differs. Reduced certification effort from the EMVCo-optimized feature set directly shortens handheld product approval cycles with payment schemes.
Recommended
Vending and Unattended Kiosks
Unattended vending machines and kiosks increasingly accept contactless bank cards, requiring an EMVCo L1-compliant RF frontend - exactly the PN5190's design target per NXP. The high output power maintains reliable card reads on the large-format antennas common in vending facades, while the 13.56 MHz frontend supports ISO 14443, MIFARE, and NFC smartphone wallets in one silicon. In the architecture, the PN5190 handles antenna driving and protocol framing while the payment MCU and secure element process transaction cryptograms over SPI. Vending installations face wide temperature and metal-environment challenges; following AN12549 matching and EMC filter guidance keeps detuning effects from surrounding metal manageable. Consolidating multiple card technologies into one frontend also reduces the reader BOM compared with discrete multi-protocol stacks.
Recommended
Industrial NFC Configuration and Diagnostics Ports
Industrial equipment manufacturers use NFC as a tool-free configuration and diagnostics interface: a smartphone or service reader taps the machine to read sensor logs or write parameter sets. The PN5190 can also serve on the reader side of such infrastructure, for example in production fixtures that provision NFC tags on assembled products. Its ISO 15693 and ISO 18000-3 support covers the tag types common in industrial labeling, and the high output power ensures reliable programming through fixture covers and spacing. With a 2.4 V to 6 V supply, the frontend integrates easily into 3.3 V or 5 V control systems over SPI. Because firmware V2.0 or higher is required on B1 silicon per NXP documentation, verify the firmware version in production fixtures to access the full PN5190 feature set during high-throughput tag provisioning.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PN5190 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PN5190B2HN | PN5190B2EV/C131K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 40-VFLGA (exposed pad) | 40-VFLGA family | 64-VFBGA |
| Silicon Version | B1 (firmware V2.0+) | B2 | B2 |
| Protocols | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO 18000-3, ISO 18092, ISO 21481, MIFARE, NFC | Same PN5190 protocol set | ISO 14443A/B, MIFARE, NFC (per DigiKey) |
| EMVCo Support | EMVCo 3.0 certification simplified | EMVCo 3.2 analog and digital L1 | EMVCo 3.x capable family |
Key Differentiators
- Highest EMVCo certification support in the NXP reader family (vs PN5180)
- High RF output power for small antennas (vs PN7160)
- Interface flexibility across order codes (vs PN5190B1HN/C121E)
Design Notes
The 40-VFLGA exposed pad is not optional: it is the primary ground return for the RF front end. Connect it to a solid, unbroken ground plane through an array of vias directly under the pad, per NXP hardware design guidance for the PN5180/PN5190 family. Keep the antenna matching network and EMC filter components close to the TX/RX pins, route differential antenna traces as matched pairs, and keep them away from switching regulators to preserve receiver sensitivity.
NXP application note AN12549 states that PN5190 antenna design follows the same methodology as the PN5180, with PN5190-specific features to consider for optimized performance. Use AN12549 to size the series and shunt matching capacitors, keep antenna Q within NXP recommended limits for EMVCo compliance, and simulate detuning caused by nearby metal before committing to a PCB revision. Reusing proven PN5180 antenna layouts can shorten development significantly.
NXP documentation specifies that PN5190B1 silicon requires firmware V2.0 or higher for the documented functionality - running older firmware leads to missing features and hard-to-diagnose protocol failures. Also verify the exact ordering code: the HN (VFLGA-40, SPI) and EV (VFBGA-64, I2C/SPI/USB) variants have different packages, pinouts, and supply ranges (6 V vs 5.5 V maximum), so a schematic built for one is not reusable for the other.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the provided web data; verify on the official NXP PN5190B2HN product information page or the distributor compliance documents.
