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PN532 NFC RFID Module User Guide

Version V4

Introduction

Near field communication (NFC) is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with
each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few centimeters.

For electronics geeks, we also want to use NFC technology to make our own things. So we build this NFC RFID module. This module is
built around NXP PN532. NXP PN532 is very popular in NFC area. And the company offers much technology documents to help
developers. We developed this module based on the official documents. To make things easier, we also build library for this module.
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We have updated this module to version 4.

Compared with V3 have the following improvement:

Performance PN532 NFC V3 PN532 NFC V4 Description

Reading Distance on PVC Mifare tag 5~6cm 6~8cm Improved performance on IOS14443A tags

Reading Distance on PVC SRT512 1~2cm 2~4cm Improved performance on IOS14443B tags

Feature
1. Compatibility: it is compatible with V3 both in hardware and software.
2. Smaller: the size now is as small as 42.7mm*40.4mm*4mm
3. Easy to change mode: with a small SMD toggle Switch, it becomes very easy to change among IIC, SPI and HSU modes
4. Longer distance: the reading distance becomes 6~8cm
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5. Open source Arduino library

Features
1. Support II2, SPI and HSU (High Speed UART)

2. RFID reader/writer mode support

• Mifare 1k, 4k, Ultralight, and DesFire cards
• ISO/IEC 14443-4 cards such as CD97BX, CD light, DesFire, P5CN072 (SMX)
• Innovision Jewel cards such as IRT5001 card
• FeliCa cards such as RCS_860 and RCS_854

3. Plug and play, Arduino compatible

4. Built in PCB Antenna, with 6cm~8cm communication distance
5. On-board level shifter, Standard 5V TTL for I2C and UART, 3.3V TTL SPI
6. Work as RFID reader/writer
7. Work as 1443-A card or a virtual card
8. Support NFC with Android phone
9. Small size: 43mm*41mm*4mm

Interface

• VCC: 3.3V~5V
• Currency: Max 120mA
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• I2C/UART: 3.3V~24V TTL

• SPI: 3.3V TTL with 100 ohm resistors in series. It could be connected directly to 5V interface of microcontroller such as
Arduino.

The I2C and HSU shares the same pins. The definition of IIC pins is printed at front and the HSU’s is printed at the back. The HSU mode
is configured as the default mode. But you could change the interface by setting the toggle switch.

The switch setting is shown as follows:

Working Interface Channel 1 Channel
2
HSU OFF OFF
I2C ON OFF
SPI OFF ON

We break all the PN532 pins out. The 1.27mm connector hole contains those pins which might not be used for most users. If some
developers need to connect those pins, we could supply connectors.

You could find this product here.

Hardware Installation

Solder the connector

The bended male pins come with the NFC board.
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Some users might need soldering other types of connectors or directly solder wires on it. Anyway, make sure the wires go across the
antenna lines in 90 degree.
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Connect with Arduino

If without the sensor shield, please connect as following:
Mode PN532 Arduino UNO Arduino Leonardo Arduino Mega Arduino Due
Module (2560)
Power VCC 5V 5V 5V 5V
GND GND GND GND GND
IIC/I2C Mode SDA A4/SDA Pin 2 /SDA Pin 20 /SDA Pin 20 /SDA
SCL A5/SCL Pin 3/SCL Pin 21/SCL Pin 21/SCL
HSU Mode TXD Pin 0 Could not Pin 0 Pin 19 Pin 19
RXD Pin 1 present Pin 1 Pin 18 Pin 18
message in
Serial
Monitor on
PC
SPI Mode SCK Pin 13 or ICSP-3 ICSP-3 Pin 52 or ICSP-3 ICSP-3 Note: SPI
MISO Pin 12 or ICSP-1 ICSP-1 Pin 50 or ICSP-1 ICSP-1 on Due is
still in
MOSI Pin 11 or ICSP-4 ICSP-4 Pin 51 or ICSP-4 ICSP-4 developing
SS Pin 10 Pin 10 Pin 10 Pin 10
Arduino UNO only has one serial interface which is also connected to USB port to PC. In HSU mode, the serial monitor could not be
used as message displaying windows.

Function Test

RFID Reader/Writer
Here we show how to read and write RFID card with this module.

Download the library PN532 at our github page. You could find 4 folders in the library. Unzip the 4 folders at the library folder in
Arduino IDE.

Start Arduino IDE and choose the example:

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Modify the code to choose the right mode:

Upload the code to Arduino and open Serial monitor. Put a card on it:
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You could also try other reading/writing example code in the library.

It also supports reading flexible tag. We tested flexible tags of Mifare 1 S50 and Ultralight. The reading distance is up to 5cm.

You could find those flexible tags here.

P2P NFC
Currently we are still developing the software. The P2P NFC communication between two PN532 modules is only supported by I2C
mode. Please download this library.

Note, while testing this library, please remove the libraries in the testing above (or other PN532 libraries) to other folders.
Otherwise they might conflict.

Here we need two Arduino boards to test this function. Basically we will program one NFC module as Initiator, and the other as
Target.
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Please upload the following two examples to the two Arduino board:

• NFC_p2p_initiator
• NFC_p2p_target

After uploading the sketches, open the Serial Monitor. Please note that Arduino IDE doesn’t support opening 2 Serial Monitors. So you
need another Serial Tool. Here we have 2 versions of Arduino IDE installed in my PC: Arduino 0022 and Arduino 1.0. We open the two
and could have two Serial Monitor working. Note the baud rate is 115200.

Target:

Initiator:
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Then put one module above the other:

Finally we get：
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Target:

Initiator:

NFC with Android phone

Download the library of NFC_Module_DEV from our github page.
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Note, while testing this library, please remove the libraries in the testing above (or other PN532 libraries) to other folders. Otherwise they might
conflict.

Currently this library only supports HSU mode. We are still working on more modes. If you want to use SPI mode, you could try NFC_Shield_DEV. Just
connect Arduino with our PN532 module through SPI interface in the way shown in the table above.

Open the example in Arduino Due:

Upload the code to Arduino, and open Serial Monitor:

Put an NFC-support phone on the module:

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On Android phone, if you have set the default browser, it will start the browser and visit our website: www.elechouse.com

If it doesn’t start the browser, please open the browser and try again. Here we tested HTC one and Google Nexus 4. They all work very
well. Different NFC phones might have different NFC ICs. If your phone doesn’t work with it, try to google information to check if your
phone NFC chip is compatible with PN532.

On Serial Monitor you could get the following result:

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Useful link
PN532 Module Schematic PDF
NXP PN532 User Manual
DWG DIMENSION FILE
Library: PN532 or NFC_Module_DEV

Where to buy
Please visit this page to buy this product: PN532 NFC module

Disclaimer and Revisions

[FCC Declare]

The information in this document may change without notice. If you have any problem about it, please visit www.elechouse.com to
contact us.

Revision History
Rev. Date Author Description
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A Oct. 25th , 2012 Wilson Initial version

B Nov. 5th, 2013 Wilson Modify information for V3

FCC WARNING
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.
15.105 Information to the user.
(b) For a Class B digital device or peripheral, the instructions furnished the
user shall include the following or similar statement, placed in a prominent
location in the text of the manual:
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20
cm between the radiator and your body.
Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
The availability of some specific channels and/or operational frequency bands
are country dependent and are firmware programmed at the factory to match
the intended destination.
The firmware setting is not accessible by the end user.
The final end product must be labelled in a visible area with the following:
“Contains Transmitter Module 2ABVM-ELECHNFCV4”
Requirement per KDB996369 D03
2.2 List of applicable FCC rules
List the FCC rules that are applicable to the modular transmitter. These are the rules that
specifically establish the bands of operation, the power, spurious emissions, and operating
fundamental frequencies. DO NOT list compliance to unintentional-radiator rules (Part 15 Subpart
B) since that is not a condition of a module grant that is extended to a host manufacturer. See also
Section 2.10 below concerning the need to notify host manufacturers that further testing is
required.3
Explanation: This module meets the requirements of FCC part 15C (15.225).it specifically establish the
Radiated Spurious Emission, Frequency Tolerance, Occupied Bandwidth

2.3 Summarize the specific operational use conditions

Describe use conditions that are applicable to the modular transmitter, including for example any
limits on antennas, etc. For example, if point-to-point antennas are used that require reduction in
power or compensation for cable loss, then this information must be in the instructions. If the use
condition limitations extend to professional users, then instructions must state that this information
also extends to the host manufacturer’s instruction manual. In addition, certain information may
also be needed, such as peak gain per frequency band and minimum gain, specifically for master
devices in 5 GHz DFS bands.

Explanation: The EUT has an pcb antenna, the antenna can be replaced by other authorized
antennas, and the gain of each replacement antenna is no more than 5dBi

2.4 Limited module procedures

If a modular transmitter is approved as a “limited module,” then the module manufacturer
isresponsible for approving the host environment that the limited module is used with. The
manufacturer of a limited module must describe, both in the filing and in the installation
instructions, the alternative means that the limited module manufacturer uses to verify that the host
meets the necessary requirements to satisfy the module limiting conditions.

A limited module manufacturer has the flexibility to define its alternative method to address the
conditions that limit the initial approval, such as: shielding, minimum signaling amplitude, buffered
modulation/data inputs, or power supply regulation. The alternative method could include that the
limited module manufacturer reviews detailed test data or host designs prior to giving the host
manufacturer approval.

This limited module procedure is also applicable for RF exposure evaluation when it is necessary
to demonstrate compliance in a specific host. The module manufacturer must state how control of
the product into which the modular transmitter will be installed will be maintained such that full
compliance of the product is always ensured. For additional hosts other than the specific host
originally granted with a limited

module, a Class II permissive change is required on the module grant to register the additional
host as a specific host also approved with the module.
Explanation: The module is a limit module.

2.6 RF exposure considerations

It is essential for module grantees to clearly and explicitly state the RF exposure conditions that
permit a host product manufacturer to use the module. Two types of instructions are required for
RF exposure information: (1) to the host product manufacturer, to define the application conditions
(mobile, portable – xx cm from a person’s body); and (2) additional text needed for the host
product manufacturer to provide to end users in their end-product manuals. If RF exposure
statements and use conditions are not provided, then the host product manufacturer is required to
take responsibility of the module through a change in FCC ID (new application).

Explanation: This module complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment, This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum
distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and your body." This module is designed to
comply with the FCC statement, FCC ID is: 2ABVM-ELECHNFCV4.

2.7 Antennas
A list of antennas included in the application for certification must be provided in the instructions.
For modular transmitters approved as limited modules, all applicable professional installer
instructions must be included as part of the information to the host product manufacturer. The
antenna list shall also identify the antenna types (monopole, PIFA, dipole, etc. (note that for
example an “omni-directional antenna” is not considered to be a specific “antenna type”)).

For situations where the host product manufacturer is responsible for an external connector, for
example with an RF pin and antenna trace design, the integration instructions shall inform the
installer that unique antenna connector must be used on the Part 15 authorized transmitters used
in the host product. The module manufacturers shall provide a list of acceptable unique
connectors.

Explanation: The EUT has an pcb antenna, the antenna can be replaced by other authorized
antennas, and the gain of each replacement antenna is no more than 5dBi

2.8 Label and compliance information

Grantees are responsible for the continued compliance of their modules to the FCC rules. This

includes advising host product manufacturers that they need to provide a physical or e-label
stating “Contains FCC ID” with their finished product. See Guidelines for Labeling and User
Information for RF Devices – KDB Publication 784748.

Explanation: The host system using this module, should have label in a visible area indicated the following
texts: "Contains FCC ID: 2ABVM-ELECHNFCV4.

2.9 Information on test modes and additional testing requirements5

Additional guidance for testing host products is given in KDB Publication 996369 D04 Module
Integration Guide. Test modes should take into consideration different operational conditions for a
stand-alone modular transmitter in a host, as well as for multiple simultaneously transmitting
modules or other transmitters in a host product.

The grantee should provide information on how to configure test modes for host product evaluation
for different operational conditions for a stand-alone modular transmitter in a host, versus with
multiple, simultaneously transmitting modules or other transmitters in a host.

Grantees can increase the utility of their modular transmitters by providing special means, modes,
or instructions that simulates or characterizes a connection by enabling a transmitter. This can
greatly simplify a host manufacturer’s determination that a module as installed in a host complies
with FCC requirements.

Explanation: HK ELECHOUSE ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO.,LIMITED can increase the

utility of our modular transmitters by providing instructions that simulates or characterizes a
connection by enabling a transmitter.

2.10 Additional testing, Part 15 Subpart B disclaimer

The grantee should include a statement that the modular transmitter is only FCC authorized for the
specific rule parts (i.e., FCC transmitter rules) listed on the grant, and that the host product
manufacturer is responsible for compliance to any other FCC rules that apply to the host not
covered by the modular transmitter grant of certification. If the grantee markets their product as
being Part 15

Subpart B compliant (when it also contains unintentional-radiator digital circuity), then the grantee
shall provide a notice stating that the final host product still requires Part 15 Subpart B compliance
testing with the modular transmitter installed.

Explanation: The module without unintentional-radiator digital circuity, so the module does not
require an evaluation by FCC Part 15 Subpart B. The host shoule be evaluated by the FCC
Subpart B.