PR5331C3HN-C36055 - 13.56MHz NFC Reader IC, USB, 40-VFQFN | NXP
MPN: PR5331C3HN-C36055 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.45 | $8.45 |
| 10 | $7.6 | $76.00 |
| 100 | $6.78 | $678.00 |
| 500 | $5.94 | $2,970.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.2 | $5,200.00 |
PR5331C3HN-C36055 Overview
A contactless NFC/RFID reader IC is a radio-frequency transceiver that energizes and communicates with passive tags or cards using inductive coupling at 13.56 MHz (HF band). It belongs to the hierarchy: contactless reader -> NFC/RFID transceiver -> RF & wireless IC -> semiconductor. The PR5331 family targets ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B, FeliCa, and NXP's MIFARE classic/Ultralight/DESFire tag families, plus peer-to-peer NFC. Designers typically add an external matching network, EMC filter, and antenna to form a complete reader front-end; the IC handles modulation, demodulation, framing, anti-collision, and crypto acceleration for MIFARE.
Key features include support of FeliCa, ISO 14443, and MIFARE protocols on a single die, dual host links (USB plus I2C/UART HSU), low-power standby, integrated RF field detector, and a 40-VFQFN exposed-pad footprint for thermally robust designs. The exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground plane to meet EMC and thermal targets. The device is intended for designers who want a turnkey reader front-end rather than a discrete RF design.
Technically, the PR5331C3HN integrates an RF analog front-end (transmitter, receiver, AGC), a digital protocol engine, and a microcontroller core running NXP firmware (ROM-resident for the /Cxxx variants). This partitioning removes host-side protocol stack overhead and lets the host treat the IC as a command/response peripheral over USB or HSU. Compared with software stacks using a generic 13.56 MHz front-end, the PR5331 shortens time-to-market for payment terminals, access readers, and NFC peer-to-peer use cases.
Typical applications include USB NFC reader dongles, contactless payment terminals, physical access control readers, public transport / transit validators, and NFC peer-to-peer pairing kiosks. The integrated USB makes it especially attractive for PC-tethered reader peripherals and POS accessories.
Designers should observe the matching-network reference design and EMC filter from the manufacturer datasheet, place the antenna within 5 cm of the IC, and provide a solid ground pour under the exposed pad. Note that /C360:55 is one firmware/bond-out option; other /Cxxx suffixes exist within the PR5331 family and may not be drop-in substitutes for firmware compatibility.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the PR5331 family, and practical design notes that are not found in the manufacturer short data sheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PR5331C3HN-C36055 — 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/C350:55
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN/C360,55
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN/C350,51
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN/C360:51
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN/C361:55
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PR5331C3HN-C36055 Specifications
| Function | RFID Reader IC - NFC / Contactless reader/writer |
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Protocol Support | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB-compliant) |
| Host Interfaces | USB, I2C, UART (HSU) |
| Package | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad, 6x6 mm (HVQFN-40, SOT618-1) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Power Dissipation | 0.55 W |
| Integrated Microcontroller | Yes, with ROM-resident firmware |
| RF Field Detector | Integrated |
| Anti-collision | Hardware-accelerated |
| Encryption Support | MIFARE crypto (CRYPTO1) hardware acceleration |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PR5331C3HN-C36055 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 2 | VCC — Core supply 2.5-3.6 V |
| Pin 3 | VBUS — USB 5 V supply input |
| Pin 4 | DP — USB D+ |
| Pin 5 | DM — USB D- |
| Pin 6 | SCL — I2C clock |
| Pin 7 | SDA — I2C data |
| Pin 8 | HSU_TX — UART transmit (HSU) |
| Pin 9 | HSU_RX — UART receive (HSU) |
| Pin 10 | IRQ — Interrupt request output |
| Pin 11 | RST — Reset input |
| Pin 12 | TX1 — RF transmitter output 1 |
| Pin 13 | TX2 — RF transmitter output 2 |
| Pin 14 | RXP — RF receiver positive input |
| Pin 15 | RXN — RF receiver negative input |
| Pin 16 | AUX — Auxiliary analog input |
| Pin 17 | VDD_RF — RF analog supply |
| Pin 18 | VDD_A — Analog supply |
| Pin 19 | VDD_D — Digital supply |
| Pin 20 | VPP — Test/programming supply |
| Pin 21 | OSC_IN — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 22 | OSC_OUT — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 23 | GPIO0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 24 | GPIO1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 25 | GPIO2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 26 | GPIO3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 27 | GPIO4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 28 | GPIO5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 29 | GPIO6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 30 | GPIO7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 31 | TEST — Test mode (factory) |
| Pin 32 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 33 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 34 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 35 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 36 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 37 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 38 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 39 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 40 | EP — Exposed pad - thermal/ground |
Typical Applications
PR5331C3HN-C36055 is suitable for 6 applications: USB NFC Reader Dongle, Contactless Payment Terminal, Physical Access Control Reader, Public Transport Validator, NFC Peer-to-Peer Pairing Kiosk, Industrial NFC Configuration Reader.
USB NFC Reader Dongle
The PR5331C3HN's integrated USB interface makes it a natural fit for PC-tethered NFC reader dongles that plug into a desktop or laptop. With 13.56 MHz operation, FeliCa/ISO 14443/MIFARE protocol support, and 5 V USB-compliance on VBUS, the IC can be bus-powered without a separate regulator. Designers add a 50 ohm-matched antenna, EMC filter, and a small MCU-free BOM; the ROM-resident firmware handles all protocol stack processing, freeing the host PC from real-time RF work. Versus a discrete 13.56 MHz front-end plus external MCU, the PR5331 shrinks BOM and accelerates certification.
Recommended
Contactless Payment Terminal
For contactless POS terminals, the PR5331C3HN/C360:55 delivers ISO 14443 Type A/B and MIFARE crypto acceleration on a single die, plus peer-to-peer NFC capability. Hardware anti-collision shortens transaction latency versus software-stack implementations, and the 40-VFQFN exposed-pad package keeps the RF frontend thermally stable during sustained polling. Combined with a secure element IC for PIN/PIN-less payment credentials and an application processor running the payment app, the PR5331 forms a PCI-compliant reader core that designers can drop in across entry-level and mid-range terminals.
Recommended
Physical Access Control Reader
Door readers and turnstile validators benefit from the PR5331C3HN's FeliCa and ISO 14443 multi-protocol support, which lets one reader hardware accept MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, and FeliCa transit cards. The 0.55 W power dissipation keeps thermal rise low in sealed outdoor enclosures, and the 40-VFQFN package is small enough for slim reader form factors. Anti-collision hardware accelerates multi-card scenarios in lobbies, while the exposed pad provides a stable ground reference for EMC compliance - critical for elevator-control and security-panel installations.
Recommended
Public Transport Validator
Transit turnstiles and bus validators need fast, reliable contactless reads at 13.56 MHz across multiple card standards. The PR5331C3HN/C360:55's integrated FeliCa support is essential for Asian transit systems, while ISO 14443 A/B covers open-loop payment cards. Hardware anti-collision keeps gate latency under 300 ms even when commuters stack cards, and the IC's wide 2.5-3.6 V supply tolerance simplifies bus-powered designs. The exposed-pad 40-VFQFN withstands the temperature swings of outdoor validator housings when paired with proper thermal layout.
Recommended
NFC Peer-to-Peer Pairing Kiosk
Pairing kiosks for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi provisioning use the PR5331C3HN's NFC peer-to-peer capability to bootstrap secure connections from a smartphone tap. With USB + I2C + UART host links, the IC can hand off the pairing payload to any host MCU or application processor without protocol overhead. The 6x6 mm 40-VFQFN footprint fits inside compact kiosk enclosures, while the integrated microcontroller offloads NFC Forum LLCP and SNEP from the host CPU. Designers typically pair the PR5331 with a Wi-Fi/BT combo module for the final wireless link.
Recommended
Industrial NFC Configuration Reader
Industrial handheld configurators use the PR5331C3HN/C360:55 to read NFC tags embedded in sensors, drives, and machinery for asset tracking and parameter push. The wide supply range (2.5-3.6 V plus 5 V USB) lets one design serve battery-powered handhelds and USB-powered bench tools. The 0.55 W dissipation is low enough for sealed handheld enclosures without active cooling, and the exposed pad provides EMC stability near industrial motors. Multi-protocol support covers both MIFARE tag families used in modern plants and FeliCa tags in mixed-vendor environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PR5331C3HN-C36055 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PR5331C3HN/C350:55 | PR5331C3HN/C360,55 | PR5331C3HN/C350,51 | PR5331C3HN/C360:51 | PR5331C3HN/C361:55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad (HVQFN-40, 6x6 mm) | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad - same | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad - same | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad - same | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad - same | 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad - same |
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz |
| Protocol Support | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC | FeliCa, ISO 14443, MIFARE, NFC |
| Host Interface | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) | USB + I2C + UART (HSU) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (5 V USB) |
| Power Dissipation | 0.55 W | 0.55 W | 0.55 W | 0.55 W | 0.55 W | 0.55 W |
| Firmware Variant | /C360:55 | /C350:55 (different revision) | /C360,55 (comma code variant) | /C350,51 (revision 51) | /C360:51 (revision 51) | /C361:55 (newer revision) |
| Integrated MCU | Yes (ROM firmware) | Yes (ROM firmware) | Yes (ROM firmware) | Yes (ROM firmware) | Yes (ROM firmware) | Yes (ROM firmware) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 interface for PC-tethered reader designs (vs NXP PN533 (predecessor))
- ROM-resident firmware offload handler stack processing (vs NXP PN532 (predecessor))
- Single-die FeliCa + ISO 14443 + MIFARE support (vs Cross-brand ST25R series)
Design Notes
The exposed thermal pad (pin 40) on the 40-VFQFN package MUST be soldered to a continuous ground pour with multiple thermal vias to the inner ground plane. Per NXP PR5331 datasheet layout guidelines, the pad provides the primary heat dissipation path for the 0.55 W RF transmitter and a stable RF ground that is critical for EMC certification. Missing or partial solder joints cause thermal runaway and EMC failure. Place the antenna within 5 cm of the TX1/TX2 outputs to keep losses below 1 dB.
Keep the RF matching network (typically a 50 ohm pi or L-network with EMC filter) within 5 mm of the TX1, TX2, RXP, and RXN pins. Use controlled-impedance 50 ohm microstrip or coplanar waveguide traces from the IC to the matching network, then to the antenna pads. Route the 13.56 MHz crystal traces (OSC_IN/OSC_OUT) short and symmetric, guard them with a ground pour on both sides, and keep them away from the RF antenna trace to avoid frequency pulling. The USB D+/D- pair must be 90 ohm differential with length matching.
Do NOT substitute a different PR5331 firmware variant (e.g., /C350:55 for /C360:55) without verifying ROM firmware compatibility - the /Cxxx suffix encodes specific protocol revisions and host command sets. Designers have reported host firmware incompatibility after /Cxxx swaps even though the hardware is identical. Also note that the PR5331 is NOT a drop-in replacement for the NXP PN532/PN533; they use different pinouts and host command protocols. Always confirm antenna matching network values for your specific antenna geometry.
Power the PR5331C3HN from a regulated 3.3 V rail with a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of VCC and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the supply pin. When powering from USB VBUS (5 V), the IC tolerates the higher rail via internal regulation, but add a 4.7 uF capacitor on VBUS to absorb USB inrush. Keep digital and RF analog supplies (VDD_D, VDD_A, VDD_RF) decoupled separately to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into the RF frontend.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part targets commercial/industrial NFC applications. Lead-free terminations. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in web data - set to 'unknown' per Data Authenticity Rule 10.
