PR5331C3HN-C36051 - 13.56MHz USB NFC Reader IC | NXP
MPN: PR5331C3HN-C36051 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.92 | $7.92 |
| 10 | $7.18 | $71.80 |
| 100 | $6.34 | $634.00 |
| 500 | $5.62 | $2,810.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.05 | $5,050.00 |
PR5331C3HN-C36051 Overview
An NFC (Near Field Communication) reader IC is a contactless transceiver that powers a passive tag via an inductive RF field and demodulates the load-modulated response to exchange data. NFC readers sit at the bottom of the contactless stack: NFC -> contactless smartcard (ISO 14443) -> RFID 13.56 MHz -> short-range wireless -> RF & wireless IC. The PR533 family bridges a USB-equipped host (PC, embedded SBC, point-of-sale terminal) to contactless media such as payment cards, transit tickets, eID, and NFC Forum tags, eliminating the need for a separate protocol stack on the host CPU.
Key features include a hardware cryptographic accelerator for MIFARE Classic Crypto1, integrated AFE for antenna matching, support for EMVCo contactless V2.0.1 in PCD mode (per the PR533 datasheet), and USB full-speed with USB 3.0 hub interoperability. Multiple host interfaces (USB, I2C, UART) provide flexibility for systems without an always-on USB host. The exposed thermal pad of the HVQFN package is critical for dissipating RF TX power during continuous polling.
Architecturally, the PR5331C3HN combines an 80C51-compatible microcontroller core with a dedicated analog front end, an ISO 14443 / FeliCa RF interface, and a hardware USB 2.0 full-speed PHY. The C360 firmware variant implements the specific command set and tag-type support required by this MPN. Host communication happens over USB (primary), I2C/SPI/UART (secondary), keeping protocol latency off the application processor.
Typical applications include USB NFC desktop readers, point-of-sale payment terminals, eID verification kiosks, transit ticketing readers, and industrial RFID read/write stations. The combination of USB bus-powered operation and integrated protocol stack makes it especially suited for plug-and-play reader accessories.
When designing with this part, ensure the antenna matching network follows the NXP reference design (typically 50 ohm matched, with EMC filtering). The exposed pad must be soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour (>= 25 mm²) for thermal dissipation, and the USB DP/DM traces require 90 ohm differential routing per USB 2.0 specification.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and application-specific design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PR5331C3HN-C36051 — 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:
PR5331C3HN/C350,51
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN/C360:55
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN-C36051 Specifications
| Function | 13.56 MHz NFC/RFID reader IC with USB interface |
| Operating Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Supported Protocols | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B, FeliCa, MIFARE, NFC Forum |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed, I2C, UART |
| Supply Voltage (PVDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Power Consumption | 0.55 W (typical RF operation) |
| Firmware Variant | C360,51 (ROM code) |
| Package Type | HVQFN-40 with Exposed Pad |
| Pin Count | 40 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| EMVCo Compliance | EMVCo Contactless V2.0.1 (PCD mode) |
| USB Hub Compatibility | USB 3.0 hubs interoperable |
| Operating Temperature | -25 °C to +85 °C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PR5331C3HN-C36051 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TVDD — Transmitter supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | TX1 — Antenna driver output 1 |
| Pin 3 | TX2 — Antenna driver output 2 |
| Pin 4 | RX — Receiver input from antenna |
| Pin 5 | AGD — Analog ground |
| Pin 6 | AVD — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | PVDD — Pad/digital supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC_IN — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | OSC_OUT — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RESET — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 12 | IRQ — Interrupt output to host |
| Pin 13 | SDA — I2C data |
| Pin 14 | SCL — I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | P30/UART_RX — GPIO / UART receive |
| Pin 16 | P31/UART_TX — GPIO / UART transmit |
| Pin 17 | P32/INT0 — GPIO / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 18 | P33/INT1 — GPIO / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 19 | P34 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 20 | P35 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 21 | PVDD — Pad/digital supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 23 | USB_VBUS — USB VBUS sense |
| Pin 24 | USB_DP — USB D+ data line |
| Pin 25 | USB_DM — USB D- data line |
| Pin 26 | TEST — Test mode enable |
| Pin 27 | P70/AUX — Auxiliary output |
| Pin 28 | PVDD — Pad/digital supply voltage |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 30 | P50/SPI_CLK — GPIO / SPI clock (if used) |
| Pin 31 | P51/SPI_MOSI — GPIO / SPI MOSI (if used) |
| Pin 32 | P52/SPI_MISO — GPIO / SPI MISO (if used) |
| Pin 33 | P53/SPI_CS — GPIO / SPI chip select (if used) |
| Pin 34 | PVDD — Pad/digital supply voltage |
| Pin 35 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 36 | P60 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 37 | P61 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 38 | P62 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 39 | P63 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 40 | P64 — General purpose I/O |
Typical Applications
PR5331C3HN-C36051 is suitable for 6 applications: USB NFC Desktop Reader, Point-of-Sale Payment Terminal, eID Verification Kiosk, Transit Ticketing Reader, Industrial RFID Read/Write Station, Access Control Reader Module.
USB NFC Desktop Reader
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 fits USB NFC desktop readers because it integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed PHY directly, eliminating the need for an external USB bridge chip. Placed at the heart of a bus-powered reader dongle, the IC draws 0.55 W from a 3.3 V LDO derived from the USB 5 V rail and exposes the full ISO/IEC 14443 A/B and FeliCa protocol stack via the C360 firmware. Its 40-pin HVQFN EP footprint and integrated Crypto1 hardware accelerator enable compact reader designs for contactless logon, smartcard pairing, and desktop NFC tag reading.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Payment Terminal
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 suits point-of-sale (POS) contactless payment terminals because it is EMVCo Contactless V2.0.1 compliant in PCD mode per the NXP PR533 datasheet. Its on-chip Crypto1 hardware acceleration and dedicated C360 firmware handle MIFARE Classic payment-card transactions in real time without host CPU intervention. The 13.56 MHz AFE supports the 4 cm read range required by EMVCo, and the USB or UART host link drops directly into common POS terminal architectures with minimal host firmware porting effort.
Recommended
eID Verification Kiosk
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 fits eID verification kiosks because it supports ISO/IEC 14443 Type B (the protocol used by many national electronic ID cards) and on-chip cryptographic primitives. Integrated into a kiosk's reader module, the C360,51 firmware decodes BAC (Basic Access Control) and communicates with the host over USB 2.0 full-speed, enabling fast card detection and reliable data exchange. The HVQFN package's small 6 mm × 6 mm footprint allows a slim reader bezel, and the industrial-grade -25 °C to +85 °C range covers indoor and outdoor kiosk deployments.
Recommended
Transit Ticketing Reader
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 works in transit ticketing readers because its multi-protocol support covers FeliCa (used in Japan, Hong Kong, and parts of Asia) and ISO 14443 Type A/B (used in European and North American transit systems) on a single RF front end. This dual-protocol capability eliminates the need for two separate reader modules in international transit equipment. The 0.55 W power budget suits battery-backed validators, and the C360 firmware supports fast anti-collision for high-throughput gate readers handling peak passenger flow.
Recommended
Industrial RFID Read/Write Station
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 fits industrial RFID read/write stations because its HVQFN package with exposed thermal pad handles continuous RF polling at moderate ambient temperatures, and its UART host interface integrates cleanly with industrial PLCs and HMIs. The C360 firmware's robust tag anti-collision supports dense tag populations on manufacturing floors, and the wide supply range (2.5V-3.6V) accommodates 24 V industrial bus rails via a simple LDO. The integrated Crypto1 accelerator secures MIFARE-based access-control tags against cloning.
Recommended
Access Control Reader Module
The PR5331C3HN-C36051 suits door-entry access control reader modules because its low 0.55 W power consumption supports both bus-powered and PoE-powered access units, and its compact 40-pin HVQFN EP footprint fits behind standard gang-box bezels. The C360 firmware handles MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire credentials with on-chip Crypto1 acceleration, offloading the secure element burden from the door controller. The industrial temperature range ensures reliable outdoor operation in enclosed reader housings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PR5331C3HN-C36051 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PR5331C3HN/C350,51 | PR5331C3HN/C360:55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | HVQFN-40 (Exposed Pad) | HVQFN-40 (Exposed Pad) - same | HVQFN-40 (Exposed Pad) - same |
| Operating Frequency | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz |
| Supported Protocols | ISO 14443 A/B, FeliCa, MIFARE, NFC | ISO 14443 A/B, FeliCa, MIFARE, NFC | ISO 14443 A/B, FeliCa, MIFARE, NFC |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 FS, I2C, UART | USB 2.0 FS, I2C, UART | USB 2.0 FS, I2C, UART |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Firmware Variant | C360,51 | C350,51 | C360:55 |
| Power Consumption | 0.55 W | 0.55 W | 0.55 W |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed PHY (vs PN532)
- EMVCo Contactless V2.0.1 compliance (vs PN7150)
- Hardware Crypto1 accelerator (vs PN7150)
Design Notes
The HVQFN-40 exposed pad (pin 41) MUST be soldered to a contiguous ground pour of at least 25 mm² on the top layer for RF shielding and thermal dissipation. Route the antenna matching network (TX1, TX2, RX) with 50 ohm controlled-impedance traces and keep them as short as possible. Place the 27 MHz crystal within 5 mm of OSC_IN/OSC_OUT with a grounded guard ring around both traces to minimize EMI coupling.
USB DP/DM traces must be routed as a 90 ohm differential pair with length matching within 150 mil. Place the USB common-mode choke and ESD protection diode within 3 mm of the USB connector. The PVDD decoupling capacitors (100 nF + 4.7 µF ceramic) must be placed within 2 mm of each PVDD pin to suppress switching noise from the on-chip DC-DC converter that feeds the RF section.
The antenna coil must be tuned to 13.56 MHz with an EMC filter (typically a pi-network with 100 pF + 1 µH + 100 pF) to suppress harmonics and meet ETSI EN 300 330 / FCC Part 15 emission limits. Read range is highly sensitive to antenna Q-factor: a poorly matched coil can drop effective range from 4 cm (EMVCo requirement) to under 2 cm. Follow the NXP PR533 antenna design reference for coil geometry, matching component values, and shield placement.
Do not exceed 5 V absolute maximum on any PVDD or AVD pin - the on-chip ESD structures are not tolerant of USB VBUS transients above this level. Always include a 5 V TVS diode and a current-limited 3.3 V LDO between USB VBUS and the IC's PVDD rail. Also, do not leave the IRQ pin floating; either tie it to the host MCU IRQ input or use a 10 kΩ pull-up to PVDD to prevent false interrupts during power-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Industrial-grade temperature range only - AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is NOT available for the PR533 family.
