# Mifare Cards: The Ultimate Guide to Contactless Smart Card Technology ## What Are Mifare Cards? **Mifare cards** are a family of contactless smart cards and proximity cards developed by NXP Semiconductors. As a global standard in RFID technology, these cards operate at 13.56 MHz and are widely used for access control, public transportation, micropayments, and loyalty programs. My first encounter with **Mifare cards** was during my university years when our campus implemented a new ID and payment system. I was fascinated by how a simple tap could grant access to buildings, pay for meals, and even check out library books—all from a single card. ## Technical Specifications and Product Parameters When evaluating **Mifare cards** for implementation, understanding their technical specifications is crucial. Here are detailed parameters for common Mifare product lines: ### Mifare Classic 1K (MF1S50) * **Chip Code:** NXP MF1S503x * **Memory:** 1 KB EEPROM, organized into 16 sectors with 4 blocks each (64 blocks total). * **Communication:** ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, 106 kbit/s. * **Security:** CRYPTO1 proprietary cipher (note: vulnerabilities documented in older versions). * **Dimensions:** Standard ID-1 format (85.6mm × 54mm × 0.76mm). Also available in key fob (30mm × 40mm) and sticker formats. * **Read/Write Distance:** Typically 0-10 cm, depending on the reader. ### Mifare DESFire EV2 8K (MF3DHY2) * **Chip Code:** NXP MF3DHY2x * **Memory:** 8 KB EEPROM, highly flexible file system. * **Communication:** ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, up to 848 kbit/s. * **Security:** AES-128, 3DES, optional SAM support for secure key storage. Common Criteria EAL5+ certified. * **Dimensions:** Compatible with all ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 form factors. Also integrated into wearables and mobile devices. * **Additional Features:** Supports multi-application, transaction mechanism, and native contactless communication with NFC phones. > **Important Note:** The technical parameters provided above are for reference and il