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TRF7960A: Product selection for NFC sub-system for IoT appliance

Part Number: TRF7960A
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: RF430CL330H, TRF7970A

We tried emailing TI help with our query but they directed us here.

Our team was looking at your (TI's) NFC ICs: TRF7960A and RF430CL330H.

TRF79 has many features but needs external matching. RF43 connects directly to the antenna but has fewer protocols. We don't want to get much into matching and Smith's chart. (but we can do it if the IC has very good features)
Are the number of protocols supported really important?

We need NFC to help in Bluetooth and WiFi pairing for IoT applications. We also plan to keep NFC so that we can add Apple, Samsung Pay and other payment options available on our device in the future.

We also want to use the NFC for wireless powering of our device (not charging, we don't plan to use a battery) like the NXP PN532.

We need support on wireless payment and power. Also which protocols are enough for our above needs?

  • Hello Xavier,

    For BT Pairing, the RF430CL330H as a dynamic NFC tag is ideal for the peripheral side. If you need the reader for BT pairing, then either the TRF7960A or TRF7970A can be used. For antenna design and tuning we have this app note: http://www.ti.com/lit/an/sloa197/sloa197.pdf

    For payment systems such as Apple/Samsung Pay, you can use the TRF7970A as long as you do not have to go through EMVco compliance testing. However, TI support for these payment systems is very limited - only the basic ISO7816-4 protocols commands are written which then need to be turned into an application by customers to suit their specific needs for the system.

    Wireless power wise, you can use NFC to wirelessly power devices like the RF430CL330H, but to use it for the TRF7960A or the TRF7970A in reader mode is not possible, the devices require too much power to power through an RF field alone. As far as Qi+NFC goes, it is theoretically possible, but not something we have knowledge for or support for.

    Protocol wise, you need ISO14443A and ISO14443B to support payment systems, and ISO14443B will cover the RF430CL330H tags as well.