MIFARE cards are a family of RFID cards operating at the 13.56 MHz high-frequency (HF) range, following the ISO/IEC 14443 standard. They are widely used for contactless communication in applications such as access control, public transportation, contactless payments, and more. MIFARE technology is known for its security, versatility, and high adoption rate.
Main Types of MIFARE Cards:
1. MIFARE Classic
- Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Memory: 1 KB or 4 KB (divided into sectors and blocks)
- Security: Basic encryption (Crypto-1 algorithm)
- Features:
- Early version of MIFARE, known for being cost-effective.
- Divides memory into sectors and blocks, with separate keys for access control to each sector.
- Applications: Public transportation, low-security access control, loyalty cards.
- Limitations: The encryption method has been compromised over time, making it less secure for modern applications.
2. MIFARE DESFire (DESFire EV1, EV2, EV3)
- Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Memory: Ranges from 2 KB to 8 KB
- Security: Advanced encryption (DES, 2K3DES, 3K3DES, AES-128)
- Features:
- Enhanced security with support for multiple encryption standards.
- Faster communication speed compared to MIFARE Classic.
- More flexible memory organization with file systems, allowing different applications on the same card.
- Supports mutual authentication between the card and reader.
- Applications: Secure access control, e-government, public transport, cashless vending, multi-application cards.
- Evolution:
- DESFire EV1: First generation, focused on higher security.
- DESFire EV2: Improved memory management and security features.
- DESFire EV3: Latest generation with additional cryptographic options and enhanced performance.
3. MIFARE Ultralight
- Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Memory: 48 bytes or 128 bytes
- Security: Basic or no encryption (MIFARE Ultralight C supports 3DES)
- Features:
- Lightweight and cost-effective, ideal for short-term use.
- Low memory, making it suitable for disposable or single-use applications.
- MIFARE Ultralight C adds basic security with 3DES encryption.
- Applications: Public transport tickets, event tickets, loyalty cards, disposable applications.
4. MIFARE Plus
- Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Memory: 2 KB or 4 KB
- Security: Supports AES-128 encryption (backward-compatible with MIFARE Classic)
- Features:
- Designed as an upgrade to MIFARE Classic, with stronger security options (AES encryption).
- Can operate in MIFARE Classic mode for backward compatibility or in higher-security AES mode.
- Used in environments that require a transition from MIFARE Classic without replacing infrastructure.
- Applications: Public transport, access control, smart city applications.
- Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Security: Advanced security with support for multiple encryption standards
- Features:
- Offers high security for banking, ID cards, and government applications.
- Includes cryptographic co-processors to perform advanced encryption tasks.
- Applications: Banking cards, government IDs, secure identity management.
Common Features Across MIFARE Cards:
- Contactless Communication: Cards communicate via RFID with readers within a few centimeters (typically up to 10 cm).
- Secure Storage: Memory is divided into sectors, blocks, or files, with varying levels of security and access controls.
- Read/Write Capability: Most MIFARE cards support both read and write operations, depending on the application.
- Anti-collision Mechanism: Allows multiple cards to be present in the reading field simultaneously without interference.
Applications of MIFARE Cards:
- Public Transport: Transit systems, subway, bus, and train cards.
- Access Control: Building entry, employee ID badges.
- Cashless Payment: Small-value transactions, e-wallets, campus cards.
- Event Management: Ticketing systems, loyalty cards.
MIFARE cards are one of the most widely used contactless smart card technologies globally, offering a range of options from low-cost, low-security applications to advanced, secure systems.