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PN532 NFC RFID Read/Write Module V3 Kit

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Ekostra Electronics

On April 7, 2025

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PN532 NFC RFID Read/Write Module V3 Kit

Advanced Near Field Communication for Arduino and Embedded Systems

Introduction

The PN532 NFC RFID Module V3 is a highly integrated transmission module for 13.56MHz contactless communication. Based on NXP’s PN532 chipset, it supports read/write operations with various NFC and RFID tags including Mifare, NTAG, and FeliCa.

Key Features

📱 Multi-Protocol Support

Works with NFC, Mifare, ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, FeliCa

📶 Multiple Interfaces

I2C, SPI, and UART communication options

⚡ Fast Operation

Supports up to 424kbps data transfer rate

🔧 Easy Integration

Works with 3.3V or 5V systems including Arduino

Technical Specifications

Operating Frequency	13.56MHz
Supported Protocols	NFC, Mifare, ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, FeliCa
Communication Range	Up to 5cm (depending on antenna)
Interface Options	I2C, SPI, HSU (UART)
Operating Voltage	3.3V – 5V DC
Current Consumption	~100mA during operation
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 424kbps

Pin Configuration

Pin	Label	Description	Arduino Connection
1	VCC	Power (3.3V or 5V)	5V
2	GND	Ground	GND
3	SDA	I2C Data	A4
4	SCL	I2C Clock	A5
5	IRQ	Interrupt Request	D2
6	RST	Reset	D3

Note: The module includes jumpers to select between I2C, SPI, and UART interfaces

Wiring with Arduino (I2C)

// Basic I2C Connections:
// VCC → 5V
// GND → GND
// SDA → A4 (SDA)
// SCL → A5 (SCL)
// IRQ → D2 (optional)
// RST → D3 (optional)

// For SPI interface, different connections are required

// Basic I2C Connections:

// VCC → 5V

// GND → GND

// SDA → A4 (SDA)

// SCL → A5 (SCL)

// IRQ → D2 (optional)

// RST → D3 (optional)

// For SPI interface, different connections are required

Important: Ensure correct interface jumpers are set before powering the module

Basic Tag Reading Example

// PN532 NFC Reader Basic Example (using Adafruit_PN532 library)
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_PN532.h>

#define PN532_IRQ   (2)
#define PN532_RESET (3)

Adafruit_PN532 nfc(PN532_IRQ, PN532_RESET);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  nfc.begin();
  
  uint32_t versiondata = nfc.getFirmwareVersion();
  if (!versiondata) {
    Serial.println("PN532 not found");
    while (1);
  }
  
  Serial.print("Found chip PN5"); Serial.println((versiondata>>24) & 0xFF, HEX);
  Serial.print("Firmware ver. "); Serial.print((versiondata>>16) & 0xFF, DEC);
  Serial.print('.'); Serial.println((versiondata>>8) & 0xFF, DEC);
  
  nfc.SAMConfig();
  Serial.println("Waiting for NFC tag...");
}

void loop() {
  uint8_t success;
  uint8_t uid[] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 };
  uint8_t uidLength;
  
  success = nfc.readPassiveTargetID(PN532_MIFARE_ISO14443A, uid, &uidLength);
  
  if (success) {
    Serial.println("Found NFC tag!");
    Serial.print("UID Length: "); Serial.print(uidLength, DEC); Serial.println(" bytes");
    Serial.print("UID Value: ");
    for (uint8_t i=0; i < uidLength; i++) {
      Serial.print(" 0x"); Serial.print(uid[i], HEX);
    }
    Serial.println();
    delay(1000);
  }
}

// PN532 NFC Reader Basic Example (using Adafruit_PN532 library)

#include <Wire.h>

#include <Adafruit_PN532.h>

#define PN532_IRQ (2)

#define PN532_RESET (3)

Adafruit_PN532 nfc(PN532_IRQ, PN532_RESET);

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

nfc.begin();

uint32_t versiondata = nfc.getFirmwareVersion();

if (!versiondata) {

Serial.println("PN532 not found");

while (1);

}

Serial.print("Found chip PN5"); Serial.println((versiondata>>24) & 0xFF, HEX);

Serial.print("Firmware ver. "); Serial.print((versiondata>>16) & 0xFF, DEC);

Serial.print('.'); Serial.println((versiondata>>8) & 0xFF, DEC);

nfc.SAMConfig();

Serial.println("Waiting for NFC tag...");

}

void loop() {

uint8_t success;

uint8_t uid[] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 };

uint8_t uidLength;

success = nfc.readPassiveTargetID(PN532_MIFARE_ISO14443A, uid, &uidLength);

if (success) {

Serial.println("Found NFC tag!");

Serial.print("UID Length: "); Serial.print(uidLength, DEC); Serial.println(" bytes");

Serial.print("UID Value: ");

for (uint8_t i=0; i < uidLength; i++) {

Serial.print(" 0x"); Serial.print(uid[i], HEX);

}

Serial.println();

delay(1000);

}

Advanced Features

Tag Emulation

// Configure as NFC tag
nfc.setPassiveActivationRetries(0xFF);
nfc.startPassiveTargetIDDetection(PN532_MIFARE_ISO14443A);

// Configure as NFC tag

nfc.setPassiveActivationRetries(0xFF);

nfc.startPassiveTargetIDDetection(PN532_MIFARE_ISO14443A);

Mifare Classic Auth

// Authenticate with Mifare Classic
uint8_t keya[6] = { 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF };
success = nfc.mifareclassic_AuthenticateBlock(
  uid, uidLength, 4, 0, keya);

// Authenticate with Mifare Classic

uint8_t keya[6] = { 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF };

success = nfc.mifareclassic_AuthenticateBlock(

uid, uidLength, 4, 0, keya);

NDEF Message Writing

// Write NDEF URL to NTAG
uint8_t ndefprefix = NDEF_URIPREFIX_HTTP;
uint8_t url[] = { 'e', 'k', 'o', 's', 't', 'r', 'a', '.', 'c', 'o', 'm' };
success = nfc.ntag2xx_WriteNDEFURI(ndefprefix, url, sizeof(url));

// Write NDEF URL to NTAG

uint8_t ndefprefix = NDEF_URIPREFIX_HTTP;

uint8_t url[] = { 'e', 'k', 'o', 's', 't', 'r', 'a', '.', 'c', 'o', 'm' };

success = nfc.ntag2xx_WriteNDEFURI(ndefprefix, url, sizeof(url));

Peer-to-Peer

// Initialize NFC P2P
nfc.InitDepTarget();
// Configure as Initiator/Target
nfc.TgInitAsTarget();

// Initialize NFC P2P

nfc.InitDepTarget();

// Configure as Initiator/Target

nfc.TgInitAsTarget();

Troubleshooting

Module Not Detected

Verify interface jumpers are correctly set
Check I2C/SPI address with scanner
Ensure proper voltage (3.3V or 5V)

No Tag Detection

Move tag closer to antenna (1-5cm)
Check tag compatibility (Mifare, NTAG, etc.)
Verify antenna connections

Communication Errors

Check wiring connections
Add pull-up resistors if using I2C
Try lower communication speed

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PN532 NFC RFID Read/Write Module V3 Kit

Introduction

Key Features

📱 Multi-Protocol Support

📶 Multiple Interfaces

⚡ Fast Operation

🔧 Easy Integration

Technical Specifications

Pin Configuration

Wiring with Arduino (I2C)

Basic Tag Reading Example

Advanced Features

Tag Emulation

Mifare Classic Auth

NDEF Message Writing

Peer-to-Peer

Troubleshooting

Module Not Detected

No Tag Detection

Communication Errors

Project Ideas

Access Control System

Smart Inventory

Interactive Displays

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