PN7161A1EV - NFC Plug & Play Controller, 13.56MHz | NXP Semiconductors
MPN: PN7161A1EV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.74 | $7.74 |
| 10 | $6.95 | $69.50 |
| 100 | $6.1 | $610.00 |
| 500 | $5.45 | $2,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.8 | $4,800.00 |
PN7161A1EV Overview
An NFC controller is a contactless communications IC responsible for the analog RF signal generation, modulation/demodulation, and protocol framing required to communicate with NFC tags, contactless smart cards, and NFC peer-to-peer devices. NFC controllers sit below the host application processor in the system hierarchy (NFC controller -> NFC frontend -> short-range wireless IC -> RF semiconductor) and rely on the host to run the upper NFC stack and application layer. Compared with discrete reader designs, an integrated NFC controller with embedded firmware reduces BOM count, accelerates time-to-market, and eases regulatory compliance for EMVCo and NFC Forum certification.
Key features include a built-in antenna driver, integrated non-volatile memory for firmware and configuration, low-power wake-up via host-controlled polling, and native support for Apple Enhanced Contactless Polling (ECP) on the C100 firmware variant. The device targets USB, UART, SPI, and I2C hosts through a single NCI-compliant interface, and integrates the RF matching network driver output, eliminating many external components. The PN7161A1EV variant specifically enables Apple ECP after formal authorization, distinguishing it from the baseline PN7160 firmware builds.
Typical applications include payment terminals (EMVCo contactless), point-of-sale readers, access control systems, and industrial NFC tag commissioning where reliable 13.56 MHz RF performance, low standby power, and minimal host CPU overhead are required. The integrated NCI interface also enables easy integration with Linux/Android NXP-NCI stacks and Windows NFC class extension drivers.
When designing with the PN7161A1EV, ensure the antenna matching network is tuned for the chosen coil and the host platform's NCI driver stack supports the loaded firmware revision. Power-rail sequencing must place the 1.8V VBAT rail before VDDIO to avoid inrush into the RF section.
Drop-in alternatives for PN7161A1EV — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PN7160A1EV/C100
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PN7161A1EV/C100Y
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PN7160A1EV/C100Y
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PN7161A1EV Specifications
| Function | NFC Plug and Play Controller |
| RF Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Supported Protocols | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC |
| Host Interface | I2C (NCI compliant) |
| Supply Voltage - Core (VBAT) | 2.4 V to 5.5 V |
| Supply Voltage - I/O (VDDIO) | 1.65 V to 1.95 V |
| Supply Voltage - RF (VBAT2P) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 64-VFBGA |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Integrated Firmware | Yes (C100 firmware revision) |
| Apple ECP Support | Yes (requires formal authorization) |
| Antenna Driver | Built-in differential output driver |
| Non-Volatile Memory | Built-in |
| Operating Temperature | -25 C to +85 C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PN7161A1EV 64-vfbga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PN7161A1EV (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 PN7161A1EV.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PN7161A1EV is suitable for 7 applications: EMVCo Contactless Payment Terminal, Access Control & Door Reader, Point-of-Sale (POS) Reader Module, Industrial NFC Tag Commissioning, Kiosk & Vending Contactless Reader, Healthcare & Medical Device Identification, Consumer Electronics NFC Pairing.
EMVCo Contactless Payment Terminal
The PN7161A1EV is purpose-built for EMVCo contactless payment terminals. Its integrated NCI interface offloads the entire ISO 14443 A/B and FeliCA protocol stack from the host CPU, accelerating EMVCo Level 1 type approval cycles. The 13.56 MHz RF frontend delivers the output power and modulation depth compliance required for contactless credit/debit transactions at the standard 4 cm operating distance. The built-in Apple ECP support (C100 firmware) ensures interoperability with iPhone NFC and Apple Pay terminals after Apple authorization. Recommended companion parts: PN7161A1EV hosts are typically paired with NXP i.MX RT1064 or i.MX 8M application processors running Linux/Android NCI stacks for transaction processing and PIN entry handling.
Recommended
Access Control & Door Reader
The PN7161A1EV serves well in physical access control readers where ISO 14443/MIFARE credentials are used. Its low standby current and host-wake-up capability enable battery-powered or PoE-powered door readers that sleep until an NFC card is presented. The integrated firmware handles anti-collision and multiple-card detection, ensuring reliable reads even when several cards enter the field simultaneously. The VFBGA-64 package keeps the reader PCB footprint compact for slim mullion-mount enclosures. Recommended companion parts: PN7161A1EV can be paired with NXP KW36 BLE MCU or i.MX RT1064 host for readers that also need mobile credential (Bluetooth) support.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Reader Module
OEM point-of-sale terminals that add contactless capability benefit from the PN7161A1EV's turnkey NCI integration. The integrated firmware and antenna driver mean the OEM's POS application running on the main processor only needs the standard Linux NXP-NCI driver and a high-level NFC API, drastically shortening the time required to add a contactless payment SKU. The part's commercial temperature grade (-25 C to +85 C) suits indoor retail and QSR environments. The compact VFBGA-64 package also allows the NFC module to be added as a daughter card on existing POS mainboards.
Recommended
Industrial NFC Tag Commissioning
Industrial IoT devices, sensors, and machines increasingly use NFC for parameterization, commissioning, and field diagnostics. The PN7161A1EV's NFC Forum peer-to-peer and tag reader capabilities allow handheld tablets or NFC-equipped industrial PCs to push configuration data or read fault logs via a simple tap. The 13.56 MHz operation avoids interference with the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi/Thread/Zigbee radios commonly present in industrial gateways, and the low standby power supports battery-powered industrial sensors that only wake the NFC section when needed.
Recommended
Kiosk & Vending Contactless Reader
Self-service kiosks and vending machines integrate the PN7161A1EV to accept mobile wallets, contactless bank cards, and NFC loyalty cards. The integrated NCI stack offloads the entire transaction protocol so the kiosk's main application can focus on user interface, payment routing, and inventory. The device supports all major contactless standards (ISO 14443, ISO 15693, FeliCa, MIFARE) which is critical for kiosks deployed internationally. Apple ECP support on the C100 firmware also ensures iPhone users get a smooth tap-to-pay experience on kiosks.
Recommended
Healthcare & Medical Device Identification
Medical devices such as infusion pumps, patient monitors, and diagnostic analyzers can use the PN7161A1EV to read NFC-tagged consumables and clinician badges for authentication and traceability. NFC identification of consumables prevents the use of counterfeit or expired cartridges in regulated medical environments, while clinician badge reads support secure login and audit trail compliance. The integrated firmware and NCI interface simplify certification under IEC 60601-1 by reducing host CPU software complexity. The commercial temperature range is sufficient for hospital indoor use.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics NFC Pairing
Consumer devices such as headphones, speakers, smart-home hubs, and wearables integrate the PN7161A1EV to enable tap-to-pair NFC with phones. The peer-to-peer NFC mode provides a quick, intuitive alternative to Bluetooth PIN entry, dramatically improving first-time-setup UX. The device's low standby current is essential for battery-powered consumer electronics that spend most of their life in sleep mode. The compact VFBGA-64 package fits inside tight wearable enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PN7161A1EV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PN7160A1EV/C100 | PN7161A1EV/C100Y | PN7160A1EV/C100Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-VFBGA | 64-VFBGA - same | 64-VFBGA - same | 64-VFBGA - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| RF Frequency | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz |
| Apple ECP Support | Yes (C100 firmware) | No | Yes (C100 firmware) | No |
| Host Interface | NCI over I2C | NCI over I2C | NCI over I2C | NCI over I2C |
| Supported Protocols | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE, NFC |
| Integrated Firmware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unit Price (qty 1) | $7.74 | approx $5.50 (qty 1) | $7.74 (qty 1, same die) | approx $5.50 (qty 1) |
| Reel Suffix | C100K | C100 | C100Y | C100Y |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated NCI firmware with Apple ECP authorization support (vs PN7160A1EV/C100)
- Three-supply architecture for flexible power tree integration (vs PN7161A1EV/C100Y (same die))
- Commercial-grade NCI controller with broad host OS support (vs Cross-brand ST25R3916)
Design Notes
The PN7161A1EV requires three supply rails: VBAT (2.4-5.5V) for the RF power amplifier, VBAT2P (3.0-3.6V) for the analog section, and VDDIO (1.65-1.95V) for the I2C/I/O interface. Power-rail sequencing must place VBAT before VDDIO to avoid inrush into the RF section. Decoupling recommendations: place a 1uF X7R ceramic cap on each VBAT, VBAT2P, and VDDIO pin within 3 mm of the ball, plus a 100nF high-frequency bypass cap adjacent to each pin. Avoid ferrite beads between VBAT and the PN7161 RF section since they may interfere with the field-on load modulation.
The 64-VFBGA package uses 0.5 mm ball pitch and requires microvia or sub-0.5 mm via-in-pad PCB fabrication for reliable assembly. Per the NXP datasheet, place the antenna matching network (EMC filter + tuning caps) on the top layer directly between the antenna pads and the IC RF balls, with the ground flood on layer 2 directly below the matching network. Keep the I2C traces (SDA, SCL) short and away from the 13.56 MHz RF traces; route them on a different layer to minimize coupling. A 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane is strongly recommended for EMC compliance.
Do not load the PN7161A1EV firmware revision until the host has loaded the matching NXP-NCI driver stack; mismatched firmware/driver revisions cause NCI_CORE_RESET timeouts. Ensure the antenna Q-factor stays between 15 and 35 (per NXP AN12306 application note) - antennas with Q>40 will fail EMVCo PCD-to-PICC field modulation tests. Always include a TVS diode on the antenna pads to protect against ESD strikes during contactless use; the part's ESD rating is HBM 2 kV but contact-discharge ESD can exceed this during card swiping. Verified hosts include Linux kernels 4.16+, Android 8+, and Windows 10/11 with NXP NFC driver package.
The I2C bus to the host must be pulled up to VDDIO (1.8V typical) with 4.7 kohm resistors; pulling to 3.3V will exceed the absolute maximum on the I2C pins. The PN7161A1EV does NOT support clock stretching on the I2C bus, so the host driver must not rely on SCL stretching for buffer management. For SPI-mode NCI operation (select firmware builds only), keep the SPI clock below 15 MHz and place a 33 ohm series resistor on each SPI line near the host to dampen reflections. Estimated: based on a 50 mm trace and 5 pF load, the SPI bus will tolerate up to 30 MHz, but stay below 15 MHz per the datasheet maximum.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial-grade NFC controller. For automotive NFC (digital car key, AEC-Q100 qualified), refer to NXP's automotive NFC portfolio.
