General description
Designed as an MCU replacement in various gaming and lighting applications, this NFC
tag adds connectivity and increases flexibility while saving energy and lowering the bill of
materials.
NXP's NTAG 5 switch lets designers eliminate the MCU in selected gaming and lighting
applications and other cost sensitive designs, for added functionality, connectivity,
and efficiency at a lower cost. Operating at 13.56 MHz, it is an NFC Forum-compliant
(customer development board is NFC Forum certified - Certification ID: 58626)
contactless tag that can be read by any NFC-enabled device at close range and by
an ISO/IEC 15693-enabled industrial reader over a longer range. Easy configuration
supports a range of control functions, and the integrated originality check lets the user
verify an end product’s authenticity.
In some lighting and gaming applications, NTAG 5 switch enables simple and costeffective
designs without a microcontroller. It implements multiplexed pins, offering
general-purpose I/O (GPIO) and pulse width modulation (PWM) as well as NFC field
detection. The characteristics of the PWM or GPIO signal can be configured through the
NFC interface. These features can be used to switch on/off and control motor speed or
LED brightness.
Support for ISO/IEC 15693 lets the NTAG 5 switch communicate securely in two ways —
with powerful industrial readers, at a range of up to 60 cm and with NFC-enabled devices
within proximity range. This duality makes it possible for the device to be calibrated and
parameterized automatically while in the factory and then, when put to use in the field,
safely communicate with contactless devices such as NFCenabled smartphones.
The tag’s 512 bytes of memory can be divided into three areas, and each area can use
a different protection level, varying from no protection to 32-/64-bit, password-protected
read/write access. Different parties in the value chain can have their own dedicated
memory areas for storing access data.
The NTAG 5 switch comes with pre-programmed proof-of-origin functionality to verify
authenticity. The elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) based originality signature can be
locked or reprogrammed by the customer.
The NTAG 5 is a powerhouse, harvesting the energy from an NFC Reader, it can operate
without a battery. Better yet, with its configurable output voltage, it can power a circuit, a sensor network and even charge a super capacitor wireless.

Features and benefits
• Reading distance with long-range reader > 60 cm (> 25 inches)
• Flexible operation with PWM/GPIO interface
• Flexible split between three open and/or protected memory areas
• Ensured authenticity of product through value chain
• Interoperable data exchange according to NFC Forum standards
• Energy-efficient design with reduced bill of material
• Interoperable and high performance NFC interface
– ISO/IEC 15693 and NFC Forum Type 5 Tag compliant
– 64-bit Unique IDentifier
• Reliable and robust memory
– 512 bytes (4096 bits) user EEPROM on top of configuration memory
– 40 years data retention
– Write endurance of 1 000 000 cycles
• Configurable contact interface
– One configurable event detection pin
– Two GPIOs
– Two Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) channels as multiplexed GPIOs and/or ED pin
– 1.62 V to 5.5 V supply voltage
• Scalable security for access and data protection
– Disable NFC interface temporarily
– NFC PRIVACY mode
– Read-only protection as defined in NFC Forum Type 5 Tag Specification
– Full, read-only, or no memory access based on 32-bit password
– Optional 64-bit password protection
– ECC-based reprogrammable originality signature
• Low-power budget application support
– Energy harvesting with configurable output voltage up to 30 mW
– Low-power standby current typically <6 μA
– Hard power down current typically <0.25 μA
• Very robust architecture
– -40 °C to 105 °C for EEPROM read and register access
– -40 °C to 85 °C for EEPROM write access
• Extensive product support package
– Feature specific application notes
– Development board including software and source code
– Hands-on training

Applications
• Use cases
– Calibration
– Trimming
– Authenticity check and data protection
– Late "in the box" configuration
– LED driver configuration
– NFC charging
• Applications
– Lighting
– Smart home
– Hearable and Wearable
– Consumer
– Industrial
– Gaming