As connected car technology advances, digital key functions are also becoming more advanced. Accordingly, an NFC reader IC that has obtained the latest NFC forum certification with an emphasis on security and device connectivity has been released.

STMicroelectronics (ST) announced on the 14th that it has launched a next-generation automotive quality-certified NFC reader IC to support the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) digital key application.

The ST25R3920B is targeted for automotive doors and center consoles for keyless entry and starting, Qi wireless charging control, and smartphone pairing, and comes with ST’s proprietary Heartbeat algorithm that protects NFC cards in Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) applications. It distinguishes between NFC cards and smartphones in card emulation mode, allowing the phone to charge while maintaining card security.

New additions include enhanced Active Wave Shaping (AWS) capabilities that facilitate the latest NFC Forum Certification Release 13 (CR13) certification, which promotes reliable interaction between the CCC Digital Key solution and smartphones. AWS supports adjusting parameters to remove undershoot and overshoot from received signals, thus avoiding repeated antenna matching during development. ST25R3920B also supports automatic antenna tuning and automatic low-power wake-up.

The ST25R3920B combines maximum output power of 1.6W with best-in-class receiver sensitivity to maximize the mutual operating range, allowing installation in locations where antenna space is limited, such as automotive door handles. The output power can be dynamically adjusted to meet the upper and lower limits specified by the NFC Forum and EMVCo specifications.

In addition, the ST25R3920B combines ST’s proprietary Noise-Suppression Receiver (NSR) with a highly noise-resistant input structure to provide the highest stability against external interference. In addition, it has passed the automotive manufacturer’s most stringent proprietary injected-noise test, ensuring safe operation even under the worst conditions.