Plug-and-play controller integrates NFC in OS-based systems

Article By : NXP

Equipped with embedded firmware, the PN7150 enables easy integration of NFC functionality in OS-based systems via the NCI interface.

NXP has expanded its advanced portfolio for plug-and-play near field communication (NFC) solutions with Arduino add-on boards and the release of PN7150, a high performance NFC controller with integrated firmware and NCI interface. The expanded portfolio enables easier and faster integration of NFC technology in consumer electronic devices, especially in OS-based systems, according to the company.

Leveraging its sophisticated portfolio of microcontrollers, the PN71xx family comes with various add-on boards, software examples and supports development platforms featuring an Arduino stackable header, including Kinetis, LPCXpresso, i.MX, and QorIQ, allowing for rapid NFC expansion and prototyping.

"NFC technology, now, can be easily combined with development platforms including Kinetis, i.MX, UDOO Neo, and QorIQ, allowing new communities to access the world of NFC," said Paul Hubmer, general manager of NFC Infrastructure & Consumer at NXP.

Equipped with embedded firmware, accompanied by Linux, Android, WinIoT drivers and several software examples, the PN7150 enables easy integration of NFC functionality in OS-based systems via the NCI interface. The new NFC controller can be ideal for applications such as home network gateways, routers, set-top boxes, TVs, as well as audio and medical devices.

Each PN71xx device integrates a complete NFC frontend and an advanced 32-bit microcontroller along with preinstalled certified NFC software stacks.

Compared to the board footprint optimised PN7120 in BGA package, first announced in 2015, PN7150 responds to latest market requests by featuring twice as much output power as PN7120 and an easy to assemble HVQFN40 package. In combination with NXP's connected NTAG I²C plus, the PN71xx ICs can be used for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee pairing to simplify commissioning of home-automation applications.

__Figure 1:__ *High performance full NFC Forum-compliant controller with integrated firmware and NCI interface*

The PN71xx family was designed to easily enable NFC projects that go beyond simple NFC Tag operations, leveraging the full potential of all NFC modes as card emulation, reader and peer-to-peer functionality.

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