This RFID tag is really unique: it works with mobile phones just like other RFID tags, but you can reprogram it over I2C. The tag shows up as an ISO/IEC 15693 (13.56MHz) chip which is readable by phones and tablets. This could be interesting in situations where you want a tag that can be re-written dynamically when connected to a controller. For example, we did a test where we had a microcontroller write different URLs a few seconds apart, and the mobile phone detected the different URLs one after the other.
Note that the most popular hobby RFID reader/writer chips like the PN532 do not support ISO15693 so you cannot use those to read the ST25DV tag once programmed! We used both Apple and Android phones with success to read the tags.
According to the datasheet, one can even use it as an ‘I2C to RFID’ transfer system to wirelessly send and receive data from mobile devices (you’ll need to write a custom app for that kind of project, though).
To make connections easy, our breakout contains an ST25DV04 chip, support circuitry, and even a PCB trace antenna. There’s standard 0.100”/ 2.54mm pitch headers for use with a breadboard. Should you wish to avoid soldering, the breakout also includes our Stemma QT connectors (SparkFun Qwiic compatible). Using these handy connectors you can simply plug in the sensor and get rolling with your project.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
