Devkit makes it easy to add NFC to MCU systems

22nd September 2014

Nat Bowers

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Datasheet

Providing a blueprint for an NFC implementation in any MCU-based system, ams has introduced the AS3911 NFC development kit and interface software stack. Using the kit, OEM designers do not need to implement a complete, proprietary software interface between a host MCU, its operating system and the NFC reader IC.

The software provided includes an NFC Controller Interface (NCI) stack, a standard-based modular firmware/software solution which operates from the hardware level up to the operating system. The NCI stack manages the interaction between an MCU and any NFC/HF reader in the AS391x family from ams.

The AS3911 development kit is compatible with the Android, Linux, Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems, allowing developers to quickly and easily create NFC applications for multiple MCUs. The modular design of the NCI stack enables users to optimise it for their system, selecting only the features and functions required. Therefore, designers can optimise for a minimal MCU processing overhead and memory usage, or for high performance and multi-protocol support.

Compatible with physical interfaces including UART, SPI and I²C, the NCI software stack supports all NFC protocols specified by the ISO standards organisation and the automatic antenna tuning feature provided by ams’ AS391x family of NFC readers. It also provides extended functionality for proprietary card systems.

Rene Wutte, Marketing Manager, HF/NFC Readers, ams, commented: "Combining a market-proven NFC software stack from Stollmann E+V GmbH with the advanced features and high performance of the AS3911 NFC reader IC, this development kit eases NFC adoption for any designer working with MCUs today."

The AS3911 development kit and NCI software stack are available now.