HF-160 13.56 MHz Multi-Protocol RFID Module with SAM Interface

Board-level 13.56 MHz reader/writer with on-board antenna and SAM interface pins, offered in ISO14443A, APDU, A/B and ISO15693 builds with TTL or Wiegand output.

  • Four card tiers: ISO14443A, ISO14443A with APDU, ISO14443A/B and ISO15693 (ICODE)
  • Reads/writes MIFARE Classic 1K/4K; -MA tier adds Ultralight, NTAG213/215/216 and FM1208
  • TTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26 or Wiegand 34 on a shared two-pin data interface
  • SAM reset, clock and data pins for a secure access module
  • Read distance up to 50 mm; under 100 mA at 5 V or 3.3 V
Frequency
13.56 MHz
Protocols
ISO/IEC 14443A/B, ISO/IEC 15693 (by build)
Interfaces
TTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26/34
Read range
0–50 mm
Power
5 V or 3.3 V DC ±5%, < 100 mA
Dimensions
43.5 × 35.5 × 11.9 mm
Reply within 24 hours Tested before dispatch Worldwide shipping

13.56 MHz Multi-Protocol RFID Module with SAM Interface: overview

The HF-160 is a 13.56 MHz read/write module for OEMs adding card handling to access panels, membership terminals, lockers and asset stations. The antenna is printed on the 43.5 × 35.5 mm board, so there is no coil to route, and a 12-pin, 2.54 mm pitch header carries power, data, LED, buzzer and SAM lines.

The family is split by card technology, so you only specify the protocol you need. The base -M build reads ISO/IEC 14443A UIDs and reads/writes MIFARE Classic 1K/4K (S50/S70) and FM11RF08. The -MA build adds Ultralight, NTAG and FM1208 CPU-card support and accepts ISO/IEC 14443A APDU commands. The -AB build reads UIDs from both Type A and Type B cards, and the -V build reads and writes ICODE tags under ISO/IEC 15693.

Rated read distance is up to 50 mm, depending on the card and the mounting environment, and current stays below 100 mA. Every card tier comes as a 5 V build; the -M, -MA and -AB tiers are also offered as 3.3 V TTL builds, while the ISO/IEC 15693 build is 5 V only.

Integration notes

Pins 9 and 10 are shared: depending on the build they work as UART RX/TX, I2C SDA/SCL, or Wiegand DATA1/DATA0. UART speed is set by command from 9600 to 115200 bit/s (115200 default). Wiegand 26 and Wiegand 34 are separate orderable builds of the -M tier; I2C appears in the interface list but has no separate part number, so state it in your RFQ. Three SAM pins (reset, clock, data) let you connect a secure access module for key storage. Demo software and an SDK are available for evaluation.

More features

  • 43.5 × 35.5 mm board with integrated antenna and 12-pin, 2.54 mm pitch header
  • Demo software and SDK available for evaluation

HF-160 specifications

RF & credentials

Operating frequency13.56 MHz
ProtocolsISO/IEC 14443A, ISO/IEC 14443B, ISO/IEC 15693 (depending on build)
Supported cardsMIFARE Classic 1K (S50), MIFARE Classic 4K (S70), MIFARE Ultralight, NTAG213/215/216, FM11RF08, FM1208 CPU card, ICODE, ISO/IEC 14443 Type B UIDs (by build)
CPU-card accessISO/IEC 14443A APDU commands (-MA builds)
Read distance0–50 mm (depends on card type and installation)
AntennaIntegrated on board

Interfaces

Data interfacesTTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26, Wiegand 34 (by build)
UART baud rate9600–115200 bit/s, configurable by command (default 115200)
SAM interfaceReset, clock and data pins
IndicatorsLED and buzzer lines
SoftwareDemo software and SDK

Electrical

Supply voltage5 V DC or 3.3 V DC (±5%), by build
Operating current< 100 mA

Mechanical & environment

Connection12 pins, 2.54 mm pitch
Dimensions43.5 × 35.5 × 11.9 mm (±3 mm)
Operating temperature–10 to +70 °C
Storage temperature–20 to +80 °C
Operating humidity15–90% RH

Build matrix

Variant SKUCard supportInterfaceSupply
HF-160-M-TISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08TTL UART5 V
HF-160-M-W34ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08Wiegand 345 V
HF-160-M-W26ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08Wiegand 265 V
HF-160-M-T-3V3ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08TTL UART3.3 V
HF-160-MA-TISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08, FM1208; ISO14443A APDU commandsTTL UART5 V
HF-160-MA-T-3V3ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08, FM1208; ISO14443A APDU commandsTTL UART3.3 V
HF-160-AB-TISO14443A/B UIDs; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08TTL UART5 V
HF-160-AB-T-3V3ISO14443A/B UIDs; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08TTL UART3.3 V
HF-160-V-TISO15693: ICODE read/write; other ISO15693 tags read-onlyTTL UART5 V

All builds share the 12-pin footprint and integrated antenna.

Pin definition

PinSignalFunction
1GNDGround
2BUZBuzzer
3S-RSAM reset
4S-DSAM data
5VINPower input
6IO2Reset
7CLKSAM clock
8VINPower input
9RX0UART RX / I2C SDA / Wiegand DATA1
10TX0UART TX / I2C SCL / Wiegand DATA0
11LEDLED
12GNDGround

12-pin header, 2.54 mm pitch. Pins 9–10 function depends on the build.

Specifications can change between production batches. Confirm the current revision with us before placing volume orders.

Ordering options

Quote the SKU that matches your frequency, interface and mounting. Not sure? Send us your controller model and we will pick the variant for you.

SKUConfigurationActions
HF-160-M-T ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, TTL UART, 5 V
HF-160-M-W34 ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, Wiegand 34 output, 5 V
HF-160-M-W26 ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, Wiegand 26 output, 5 V
HF-160-M-T-3V3 ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, TTL UART, 3.3 V
HF-160-MA-T ISO14443A with Ultralight/NTAG/FM1208 read/write and APDU commands, TTL UART, 5 V
HF-160-MA-T-3V3 ISO14443A with Ultralight/NTAG/FM1208 read/write and APDU commands, TTL UART, 3.3 V
HF-160-AB-T ISO14443A/B UID reading + MIFARE/Ultralight/NTAG read/write, TTL UART, 5 V
HF-160-AB-T-3V3 ISO14443A/B UID reading + MIFARE/Ultralight/NTAG read/write, TTL UART, 3.3 V
HF-160-V-T ISO15693 build, ICODE read/write, TTL UART, 5 V

Where the HF-160 is used

  • Wiegand 26 reader heads for apartment entry panels feeding an existing controller
  • Membership and locker terminals that store IDs or balances in MIFARE Classic sectors
  • Tool and document stations reading ICODE (ISO15693) labels
  • Campus or canteen terminals that pair CPU-card APDU access with a SAM for key storage

HF-160 FAQ

Which HF-160 build should I choose?

Choose by card type: -M for MIFARE Classic and other ISO14443A cards, -MA if you also need Ultralight/NTAG write or APDU access to CPU cards, -AB for Type A and Type B UIDs, and -V for ICODE and other ISO15693 labels.

Does the module have a built-in antenna?

Yes. The antenna is integrated on the 43.5 × 35.5 mm board, and read distance reaches up to 50 mm depending on the card and nearby materials.

Can I get I2C output?

I2C is listed as an interface and shares pins 9 and 10 with UART and Wiegand, but the ordering table only lists TTL and Wiegand part numbers. Specify I2C in your RFQ and we will confirm the build.

What are the SAM pins for?

Pins 3, 4 and 7 carry SAM reset, data and clock, so a secure access module (SAM) can be connected to hold keys outside the host software.

What supply voltage does it need?

5 V DC ±5% for the standard builds; the TTL versions of the -M, -MA and -AB tiers are also available at 3.3 V. Current draw is below 100 mA.

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