A MIFARE card is a type of contactless smart card that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, operating primarily at the 13.56 MHz frequency, and complying with parts of the ISO/IEC 14443 Type-A standard. The MIFARE brand, owned by NXP Semiconductors, encompasses several families of contactless cards widely used for various applications globally.
Think of MIFARE as a specific brand or family of RFID cards, similar to how “Visa” or “Mastercard” are brands of payment cards. RFID is the underlying technology that allows for wireless communication between the card and a reader.
Key aspects of MIFARE cards:
- Contactless Technology: They don’t require physical contact with a reader; communication happens wirelessly when the card is brought within the reader’s range (typically a few centimeters).
- Operating Frequency: Primarily 13.56 MHz, which falls under the High-Frequency (HF) band of RFID.
- Memory: They contain an embedded microchip with memory to store data, ranging from a few bytes to several kilobytes, depending on the specific MIFARE family and card type.
- Security: Different MIFARE families offer varying levels of security, employing encryption algorithms like AES, DES/Triple-DES, and older proprietary methods like Crypto-1.
- Multi-application Capability: Some MIFARE cards, particularly those in the DESFire family, can securely host multiple independent applications on a single card.
The MIFARE brand includes several product families, each designed for different applications and security requirements:
- MIFARE Classic: The most widely deployed family, known for its cost-effectiveness and use in applications like public transport ticketing, access control, and loyalty programs. It comes in 1K and 4K memory versions and uses the proprietary Crypto-1 security algorithm. However, it has known security vulnerabilities.
- MIFARE Ultralight: A low-cost, simple card with limited memory, often used for disposable tickets, event ticketing, and loyalty cards where high security isn’t the primary concern. It lacks strong cryptographic security in its original form. Newer versions like Ultralight C and AES offer enhanced security.
- MIFARE Plus: Designed as a bridge between MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire, offering enhanced security (AES encryption) while maintaining some backward compatibility with existing Classic infrastructures.
- MIFARE DESFire: A high-security oriented family supporting strong encryption methods like DES, 3DES, and AES. It offers larger memory options and robust security features, making it suitable for applications like secure access control, public transport with complex fare systems, and payment. The latest evolution is the DESFire EV3.
Summary: An RFID MIFARE card is a contactless smart card from NXP’s MIFARE brand, operating at 13.56 MHz, containing memory for data storage, and offering varying levels of security and functionality depending on the specific card family and model. They are a popular choice for a wide range of applications requiring convenient and often secure contactless transactions and identification.
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