HF | NFC - RFID Reader Module CT - modEAx900

The CT modEAx900 is a compact HF/NFC RFID reader module from Craft Technologies for OEM integration in devices, terminals and control panels. On a 35 × 30 mm board with a height of 4.5 mm, it combines the NXP CLRC663 reader IC with a 32-bit processor and drives an external 50 Ω antenna via U.FL. With the frame protocol of the -UV, -TL and -48 versions, the host sends short binary commands, while card-specific procedures such as MIFARE authentication, DESFire file handling or ISO 15693 block access run inside the module. With a MIFARE Classic® card in ISO format, the typical read range is 50 mm.

Supported standards and card types

The NFC reader module operates at 13.56 MHz and supports ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3 Mode 3 and FeliCa. In the -UV, -TL and -48 versions, built-in command sets cover MIFARE Classic 1K/4K/Mini, MIFARE Ultralight, Ultralight C, EV1 and AES, MIFARE Plus and MIFARE DESFire D40, EV1, EV2 and EV3, as well as ISO 14443-4 CPU cards, SR176 and SRI512/1K/2K/4K. Anti-collision handles several cards in the field, and automatic card detection can be stored as power-on default.

Four host interfaces

• CT modEAx900-UV: USB 2.0 full speed as virtual COM port
• CT modEAx900-UP: USB 2.0 full speed as PC/SC reader
• CT modEAx900-TL: TTL UART with 3.3 V logic levels
• CT modEAx900-48: RS485 multi-drop with device addresses 0x01 to 0xFF and three 3.3 V logic outputs

The -UV, -TL and -48 versions use a binary frame protocol with XOR checksum at 19200 bps by default and up to 115200 bps. The PC/SC version -UP supports MIFARE Classic, MIFARE Ultralight, MIFARE DESFire, ISO 14443-4 type A and B and ISO 15693 cards.

Antennas and integration

The module runs on 5 V DC with a maximum current of 250 mA and operates from −20 to +80 °C (electronics without housing). The antenna modAx3035 has the same 35 × 30 mm outline and hole pattern as the reader module and comes with a 10 cm antenna cable; the ring antenna modAx25 with an outer diameter of 25 mm is available as an alternative. A bicolor status LED at the board center is prepared for a light guide, and the firmware can be updated via USB or UART.

IDCRAFT supports the integration of the CT modEAx900, from antenna placement behind glass or plastic front panels to the host protocol, and provides a technical manual with the complete command reference for the -UV, -TL and -48. Samples and project prices are available on request.

CT modEAx900 is listed at IDCRAFT under NFC reader modules. All form factors at a glance: RFID readers.