Access control transponder card Badge MIFARE ®

Presentation
The MIFARE contactless smart card is a passive 13.56 MHz RFID chip card available mainly in 1K (S50) and 4K (S70) memory variants. It is widely deployed for access control, public transport ticketing, event access, loyalty and electronic-purse applications and is compatible with many 13.56 MHz readers.

Operation
Contactless read/write: present the card to a compatible RFID/NFC reader to power the chip and perform transactions. Communication is near-instantaneous, requires no battery in the card and entails minimal reader maintenance.

Formats and customization

• Standard CR80 PVC card (86 × 54 mm), printable and overlay-laminated
• Waterproof key fobs and tags
• Silicone wristbands
• Rugged tags and adhesive labels
• Custom printing via card printers (Evolis, Magicard, HiTi, Nisca) or offset on request

Applications and markets

• Corporate access control (employee and visitor badges)
• Public transport ticketing and validation
• Event access (stadiums, exhibitions)
• Leisure and aquatic facilities (waterproof wristbands and key fobs)
• Loyalty programmes and electronic purse
• Integration with time & attendance and workforce management systems

Memory versions and security
The common variants are MIFARE Classic 1K (S50) and 4K (S70). The 1K card comprises 16 sectors (4 blocks each); the 4K card comprises 40 sectors (multi-application) plus extended sectors. Each sector is protected by Key A / Key B. Cards include a unique identifier (USN) coded on 4 bytes (optionally 7 bytes). More secure variants such as MIFARE DESFire integrate a microcontroller for stronger authentication.

Chip specifications (extract)
RF interface: MIFARE ISO/IEC 14443-A
Data transmission: passive contactless RFID/NFC tag (no battery)
Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
Data rate with reader: 106 kbit/s
Read range: up to 100 mm (depending on antenna geometry and reader)
Typical transaction time: <100 ms

EEPROM and memory organization (extract)
EEPROM: 1024 × 8 bit (MIFARE Classic 1K)
Unique ID (USN): 4 bytes (7 bytes optional)
MIFARE Classic 1K organization: 16 sectors supporting multi-application
MIFARE Classic 4K organization: 40 sectors (32 sectors of 4 blocks + 8 extended sectors)
Chip references: NXP S50 (1K), NXP S70 (4K)
Memory protection: each sector managed by secret keys (Key A / Key B)
Endurance: 100,000 cycles
Data retention: approx. 10 years

Compatibility
Compliant with ISO 14443-A and compatible with a wide range of 13.56 MHz readers/encoders and NXP MIFARE families (MIFARE Classic, Ultralight, DESFire, NTAG as required).