NFC RFID Reader Writer - µFR Classic CS with SAM card - 13.56MHz Contactless Card Encoder + FREE SDK with software examples

About

uFR Classic is the first model in Digital Logic’s uFR Series of NFC RFID readers writers.
It is an NFC Forum & RFID compatible contactless reader/writer which successfully implements ISO14443 A & B and ISO18092 standards on an HF working frequency of 13.56 MHz.
This device is a genuine Digital Logic product, 100% designed, produced, and programmed at company premises located in Serbia, Europe.
All models of the µFR Series are using the same SDK API and are compatible and interoperable in a common set of functions.

Goal

The device is primarily intended for developing companies and individuals (professionals and hobbyists) for further application and turnkey solutions development. For that reason, it comes with a fully-featured SDK package, which includes firmware, libraries, software examples, and documentation for various platforms, operating systems, and developing environments. Regular SDK upgrades (including firmware, libraries, and API) are launched often and can be obtained by the company’s website for FREE. All products have an extended “Three-year” warranty.

All mentioned facts combined with free extensive and fast responsive support give this product an outstanding position in this industry sector.

Hardware

Reader’s RF communication is based on NXP’s powerful, highly integrated reader IC for contactless communication at 13.56 MHz, which supports all protocol layers of the ISO/IEC 14443 A, ISO/IEC 14443 B, and ISO/IEC 18092 communication standards.

All variants of the MIFARE® cards family (MIFARE Mini®, MIFARE Classic® 1K, MIFARE Classic® 4K, MIFARE Ultralight®, MIFARE Ultralight®C, MIFARE DESFire® EV1 and MIFARE Plus®) RF identification protocols are supported. Additionally, the NFC Forum specification for “Type 2 Tag” is supported, which adds the NTAG2xx chip family to the above list.

It has a built-in anti-collision mechanism for detecting multiple cards at a time.
一个内置的调优的天线提供了接近operating distance up to 80 mm (depending on the card’s antenna geometry) and contactless communication speed at higher baud rates (up to 424 kBd).

The device also has a built-in Crypto1® algorithm and secure non-volatile internal key memory storage for better security. Communication with the host is provided by using a USB 2.0 Full Speed compatible interface. Data transfer rates are limited from 9600 baud to 1 Mbaud, for integrity and security reasons. The reader can also act as a serial interface device using FTDI’s Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers.

Audible (speaker) and 2 RGB LEDs visible indicators are built-in and user-controllable.

Active amplified antenna with RF booster – providing better and more homogenous card reading range. (Optional)

SAM (Secure Access Module) slot for PCM1.1 SAM cards – ideal for storing keys most securely and for performing secure cryptography operations. (Optional)

This model is also available as an OEM PCB board.

Firmware

Since hardware is based on the MCU platform, it runs on company-developed custom firmware. Communication between host and reader is provided through high-speed direct access FTDI chip features. At its core, the communication level device uses a company-developed, proprietary communication protocol, which is well documented in SDK API reference.

Firmware has a lot of built-in complex functions which can be called via libraries provided in SDK API. Most of the functions are written to make “life easier”, like:

• Multiple readers on the same host support
• The whole set of commands for MIFARE® card manipulation according to the manufacturer’s specification
• Different addressing schemes (Block, BlockInSector)
• Key storage manipulation (one way, write only, no reading of stored keys)
• Different key applying modes (by index or scheme)
• Value block manipulation
• Treating the whole card memory structure as linear space (very convenient for MIFARE Classic® cards)
• NFC tags manipulation, NDEF format parsing in firmware
• AES128 “on fly” hardware encryption built-in, which is the most important when working with complex DESFire security keys and cards
• AES128 encryption of files and keys in DESFire cards
• MIFARE Plus support
• MIFARE Ultralight C support
• APDU command structure support where applicable (ISO14443-4 layer)
• 异步sending of card UID from reader to host COM port when the card is present; feature is user programmable
• and many more …

The main point about firmware is that all firmware functions can be called via communication protocol, too.

That fact moves usage of this device into another dimension, meaning that this reader can be used on almost any platform which has a serial interface, by simply using a communication protocol. So it can be freely used on PC, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Raspberry Pi, Beagle Board, MIPS boards, PLCs, Arduino, and other platforms.

Firmware is regularly updated with new versions which include new features, improvements, and bug fixes while preserving backward compatibility with older versions. That means your code is safe, there is no need for changes when new firmware comes out. All firmware upgrades are FREE and can be obtained through the download section of the company’s website.

Software Development Kit (SDK) package

The reader comes with a fully-featured SDK which consists of external libraries, software examples with source codes, documentation about API references and communication protocol, and some useful software tools.
Libraries are cross-compiled for various platforms and regularly supported are Windows x86/x64 and UWP, Linux x86/x64, Mac OSX x64, ARM/ARM HF, and Arduino.
Other platforms can be supported as custom releases, on customers' demand, depending on the existence of the project or partnership relation.
Software examples are divided into three stages according to complexity, with some new additions of NFC examples.

All examples are written for all major developing platforms and languages, like:

• Java (and Java Applet example),
• JavaScript (unique feature, convenient for PHP usage),
• Lazarus,
• Borland Delphi,
• C++ Borland Builder,
• Microsoft® Visual .NET family: C++, C#, VB
• Python
• Arduino IDE examples

Other programming language examples can be obtained on customer demand, depending on the existence of the project or partnership relation.

The software package includes a set of very useful applications intended for everyday use, like:

• 应用程序编程和NF的操纵C compliant cards like NTAG and MIFARE Ultralight®, with source code, included.
• Android NFC phone App - Android NFC phone Application for MIFARE® card reading. Write a card with uFR, and read it with an NFC phone!
• Card formatter - application for card/tag formatting and programming
• uFR2FileSystem - keyboard simulation, card data reading, card data parsing into several formats, and sending data to MySQL database via HTTP.
• Application for NTAG and MIFARE Ultralight® card programming and manipulation.
• Application for creating and writing common NDEF messages into NFC tags and cards
• Reader Keys application – for easy manipulation of keys stored in the reader
• Application for managing DESFire cards
• Examples of credit card use with a reading of public data
• Shell-like environment for easy testing and automation
• Web extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera

The documentation contains fully explained API references and communication protocol references with real “hands-on” byte-level examples for implementing communication protocol. However, API is a much more comfortable and recommended way of implementation. Where not possible, implementation of communication protocol is a very good alternative.

All libraries, software examples, tools, and documents are regularly updated. They are FREE and can be obtained through the download section of the company’s website.

Our support team always provides a quick response, usually not more than 24 hours, which also depends on the complexity and the question itself.

We can also provide custom solutions based on each customer's needs, so please free to contact us for any questions or further help regarding your projects and implementation.

Typical Applications

• Electronic payment systems
• Identification systems
• Access control systems
• Subscriber services
• Banking systems
• Digital content systems
• Customer loyalty
• Vending machines
• Time & attendance
• Machine work attendance
• NFC cards and tags programming
• NFC NDEF record management
• Network access control
• Inventory management
• Software login management
• Automatic fare collection
• Public transportation terminals
• Cashless payment
• Parking lot systems
• Reception desks
• Visitor attendance
• Authentication and authorization
• Libraries, museums, stadium events

Features

• Identity verification, data exchange & contactless transaction
• Useful for the binding device to software license
• Supporting multiple OS (Win, Linux, Android)
• USB compliant interface
• Operating Frequency: 13.56MHz
• Proximity read/write speed up to 424 kbps
• Built-in antenna for contactless tag access, with card reading distance of up to 80 mm
• Supports MIFARE® and other ISO 14443 Type A/B cards and tags
• Supports ISO18092 NFC tags
• Built-in anti-collision feature
• Built in AES128 hardware encryption
• Reader locking by passwords and keys
• Application Programming Interface:
• Virtual COM through FTDI
• User controllable LEDs
• Three years warranty

Software features

• NFC cards and tags manipulation
• NFC NDEF record writing like MIME types, URI types, vCard, SMS, Phone, URL
• Card formatting
• Linear card space emulation
• Direct card block access
• Indirect card sector and block access
• Card keys and access bits management
• Block values management (increment/decrement)
• 异步ly sending card UID to COM port (feature programmable)
• DES and 3DES software encryption
• Optional APDU structure with examples of credit card use by reading public data
• Shell-like environment for easy testing and automation
• Web extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera
• Digital Signing examples: signing a digital document with PKI certificates in a contactless way

Specification brief

Operating frequency	13.56 MHz
Reading range	Depending on antenna geometry and reader configuration, operating distance is 2-8cm (0,78"-3,15")
Read/Write speed	Up to 424 kbps
Supply current	150mA (operating)
Supply voltage	5V
Supported cards and tags	Type A (Hardware + Software), Type B (Hardware) Supported cards : MIFARE Mini®, MIFARE Classic® 1K / 4K, MIFARE Ultralight® / Ultralight® C, NTAG2xx, MIFARE DESFire® EV1, MIFARE Plus®
NFC support	Yes *
Anti-collision	YES, Hardware
Encryption	AES128 (hardware, by reader's firmware), DES/3DES (software, by the library)
Connection and power supply	USB 2.0 port, power supplied through USB port
Software	with Java, Java Applet, JavaScript, Lazarus, Delphi, C + + Builder, Microsoft® Visual C++ .NET, Microsoft® Visual C #, Microsoft® Visual Basic .NET, Python,
Supported Operating Systems	Microsoft® Windows™, Linux®, OS X, Android **
Standards	ISO/IEC 14443A & B, ISO/IEC 18092
Related equipment	USB cable, Free software download
Optional equipment	Real-Time Clock (RTC), EEPROM
Weight	0.21kg net
Dimensions	8.56cm x 5.4cm x 0.8cm (3.3" x 2.1" x 0.3")
Operation temperature	-10 +60 ° C
Accessories	Cards, keyfobs, or tags
Certificates	CE, RoHS
Warranty	36 months

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

* P2P is not yet supported in this version of the reader.
** Reader works with mentioned platforms and is visible as a serial device. However, the serial protocol must be implemented separately and is not part of the SDK

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