PN532 NFC RFID Module Pinout, Specifications and Wiring Diagram

FREE-SKY (HK) ELECTRONICS CO.,LIMITED / 11-14 10:09

The PN532 NFC RFID Module is a widely recognized and highly capable transceiver that brings Near Field Communication (NFC) technology into the embedded electronics and IoT systems. This article will discuss the PN532 NFC RFID Module, including its specifications, pinout configuration, applications, wiring methods, advantages, and more.

Catalog

1. PN532 NFC RFID Module Overview

2. PN532 Pinout Configuration

3. PN532 Alternatives

4. PN532 Specifications

5. Wiring Diagram & Mode Configuration

6. PN532 Applications

7. Comparison: PN532 vs. RC522

8. PN532 Mechanical Drawing

9. PN532 Advantages and Limitations

10. PN532 Manufacturer

11. Conclusion

PN532 NFC RFID Module Overview

The PN532 NFC RFID Module is a powerful and versatile transceiver based on the NXP PN532 chip, designed for wireless communication with RFID and NFC devices. Operating at 13.56 MHz, it supports ISO/IEC 14443 Type A and B, MIFARE, FeliCa, and peer-to-peer protocols, making it ideal for applications like smart access control, attendance systems, and IoT authentication. The module is compatible with popular microcontrollers such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32, and it supports multiple communication interfaces including UART, I²C, and SPI.

With its reliable performance and wide compatibility, the PN532 allows users to read and write NFC cards, emulate tags, and communicate directly with smartphones. Its flexible connectivity and broad protocol support make it a top choice for anyone exploring NFC technology.

If you are interested in purchasing the PN532 NFC RFID Module, feel free to contact us for pricing and availability.

PN532 Pinout Configuration

Pin Label	Type	Description
VCC	Power	Supply voltage input (3.3V–5V depending on module).
GND	Power	Ground connection.
SCK	SPI	Serial Clock line for SPI communication.
MISO	SPI	Master In Slave Out - data output from PN532 to microcontroller.
MOSI	SPI	Master Out Slave In - data input from microcontroller to PN532.
SS	SPI	Slave Select - used to enable/disable SPI communication.
IRQ	Interrupt	Interrupt output, signals when a card is detected or data is ready.
RSTO	Reset	Reset pin, used to reset the PN532 module.
SDA/TXD	I²C / UART	Data line for I²C or transmit line for UART communication.
SCL/RXD	I²C / UART	Clock line for I²C or receive line for UART communication.
S1, S2	Mode Selection	DIP switch for selecting communication mode (SPI, I²C, or UART).

PN532 Alternatives

Model	Chipset	Frequency	Interface	Card Type Supported	NFC Support	Typical Use Case
RC522	NXP MFRC522	13.56 MHz	SPI	ISO14443A (MIFARE)	No	Basic RFID tag/card reading
RMD6300	–	125 kHz	UART (Serial)	EM4100, TK4100 (125 kHz)	No	Low-frequency RFID tag reading
EM-18	–	125 kHz	UART / Wiegand	EM4100, EM4200	No	RFID attendance or access control
NFC Shield (Adafruit PN532)	NXP PN532	13.56 MHz	SPI / I²C	ISO14443A/B, MIFARE	Yes	Arduino NFC projects
NFC 2 Click (MikroE)	PN7120 (NXP)	13.56 MHz	I²C	ISO14443A/B, FeliCa	Yes	Professional NFC integration
MFRC522 Card Module	NXP MFRC522	13.56 MHz	SPI	ISO14443A	No	Student projects, prototypes
RC522 RFID Kit	NXP MFRC522	13.56 MHz	SPI	ISO14443A	No	Learning and demos

PN532 Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Manufacturer	NXP Semiconductors
Model	PN532
Type	NFC Controller / Transceiver
Supported Standards	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A and B, FeliCa (JIS X 6319-4), NFC Forum Type 1–4 Tags, MIFARE
Communication Interfaces	UART (Serial), I²C, SPI
Operating Frequency	13.56 MHz
Data Rate	Up to 424 kbit/s
Supply Voltage (VDD)	2.7 V to 5.5 V (typically 3.3 V or 5 V)
Current Consumption	< 100 mA (typical during operation)
Standby Current	< 100 µA (low-power mode)
Operating Temperature Range	-25°C to +85°C
RF Output Power	Up to 80 mW
Read Range	Typically 3–5 cm (depends on antenna size and tag type)
Supported Modes	Reader/Writer, Card Emulation, Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
Supported Tag Types	MIFARE Classic, Ultralight, DESFire, FeliCa, NFC Tags Type 1–4
Host Interface Voltage Levels	1.65 V to 5.5 V (depending on host interface)
Integrated Features	RF field detection, anti-collision, CRC generation, parity check
Package Type (Chip)	HVQFN40 (40-pin, 6×6 mm)
Module Dimensions (Typical Breakout)	~40 mm × 40 mm (varies by board)
Typical Module Components	PN532 IC, 13.56 MHz antenna coil, level shifter, communication mode selector
Interface Selection Method	DIP switches or solder jumpers (depends on module version)
Use Cases	NFC tag reading/writing, contactless payment simulation, access control, data exchange (NFC P2P)
Example Libraries/Support	Adafruit PN532 library, libnfc, Arduino NFC library

Wiring Diagram & Mode Configuration

This diagram illustrates how to connect the PN532 NFC module to an Arduino Uno using two different communication interfaces - SPI and I²C. The PN532 module supports multiple communication modes, and users can choose between SPI, I²C, or UART (HSU) by adjusting the onboard configuration switches labeled S1 and S2. The diagram shows the correct wiring connections and the corresponding switch settings for SPI and I²C operation.

In the SPI version shown at the top, the PN532 communicates with the Arduino using the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol. The SPI connection uses several dedicated pins: SCK (serial clock), MISO (Master In Slave Out), MOSI (Master Out Slave In), and SS (slave select). These are connected to Arduino digital pins D13, D12, D11, and D10 respectively. The VCC pin of the PN532 is connected to the Arduino’s 3.3V output, and the GND pin is connected to ground. Additional pins such as IRQ (interrupt) and RSTO (reset output) may be connected optionally for enhanced functionality, though they are not mandatory for basic communication. To activate SPI mode, the configuration switch S1 should be set to OFF (0) and S2 to ON (1).

In the I²C version shown at the bottom, the PN532 communicates with the Arduino using the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) protocol, which is simpler and uses only two signal wires. The SDA (data) and SCL (clock) pins on the PN532 are connected to the Arduino’s A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCL) pins respectively. As in the SPI setup, the VCC pin connects to the Arduino’s 3.3V output, and the GND pin connects to ground. I²C mode requires the configuration switch S1 to be ON (1) and S2 to be OFF (0). This setup is often chosen when multiple devices share the same I²C bus since it requires fewer pins, though it operates at a slower speed compared to SPI.