ams AG (SIX: AMS), a leading provider of high performance analog ICs and
sensors, today released the AS3911 NFC development kit and interface
software stack, which provide a blueprint for an NFC implementation in
any microcontroller-based system.
NFC has already proved its popularity with consumers in applications
such as contactless payments, and many OEMs are looking to add value to
electronics products by providing a simple, secure, wireless NFC
interface between a microcontroller and the outside world. The new
AS3911 NFC development kit from ams eliminates the need for the OEM
designer to implement a complete, proprietary software interface between
a host microcontroller, its operating system and the NFC reader IC.
The software in the AS3911 development kit includes an NFC Controller
Interface (NCI) stack, a standard-based modular firmware/software
solution, operating from the hardware level up to the operating system.
Developed in collaboration with Stollmann E+V GmbH, it manages the
interaction between a microcontroller and any NFC/HF reader in the
AS391x family from ams.
Fully compatible with the Android, Linux, Windows 7 and Windows 8
operating systems, the AS3911 development kit lets developers quickly
and easily create NFC applications for multiple microcontrollers. The
standard interface is suitable for any kind of NFC-enabled device,
including routers, set-top boxes, automotive infotainment systems,
consumer electronics devices and home appliances.
Because the NCI stack has a modular design, users can optimize it for
their system, selecting only the features and functions required by
their application. This means that designers can optimize for a minimal
microcontroller processing overhead and memory usage, or for high
performance and multi-protocol support.
The NCI supports all NFC protocols specified by the ISO standards
organization, as well as providing extended functionality for
proprietary card systems. It also supports the automatic antenna tuning
feature provided by ams’s AS391x family of NFC readers.
‘Combining a market-proven NFC software stack from Stollmann E+V GmbH
with the advanced features and high performance of the AS3911 NFC reader
IC, this new development kit eases NFC adoption for any designer working
with microcontrollers today,’ said Rene Wutte, Marketing Manager for
HF/NFC readers at ams.
‘The broad adoption of NFC in mobile phones is leading to a new wave of
interest in NFC from manufacturers of devices which can make a
contactless bridge to mobile phones. Because of its AS391x family of NFC
readers, ams is the ideal partner for Stollmann, which is positioned
perfectly for the substantial market growth we expect,’ said Juergen
Schick, CEO of Stollmann E+V GmbH. ‘Our easy to integrate software
library complements the AS3911’s unique features, helping OEMs to
achieve a faster time to market.’
The NCI software stack is compatible with various physical interfaces
including UART, SPI and I2C.
The AS3911 development kit and NCI software stack are available
immediately. The development kit may be ordered online from www.ams.com/AS3911/DevKit.
For more information about the AS3911 NFC/HF reader or the AS3911
development kit, please go to www.ams.com/NFC-HF-Reader/AS3911.
Download Press Pictures and Block Diagram at
http://www.ams.com/eng/Press/Press-Releases/
www.ams.com
Copyright Business Wire 2014