ST NFC technology integrated into MediaTek mobile platforms

Semiconductor STMicroelectronics has integrated its contactless near-field communication (NFC) technology with mobile platforms from MediaTek, said to be the world’s second-largest supplier of mobile handset solutions. This creates a complete solution for handset developers to design next-generation smartphones capable of supporting tightly integrated NFC mobile services.

Mobile payments and other contactless applications are primarily enabled by NFC technology, as found in contactless payment cards and payment terminals. Furthermore, mobile payments are expected to see triple-digit growth in the coming years, according to BI Intelligence’s 2016 Mobile Payments Report, with contactless transport ticketing also rising fast in Asia.

ST’s NFC chipset, or system-in-package, is said to solve the challenges of achieving a robust wireless connection over extended communication distances to make mobile payments easy, dependable and private, while protecting against cybersecurity threats including eavesdropping and hacking. The company’s latest NFC systems-in-package ST54F and ST54H comprise the ST21NFCD NFC controller with active load modulation for extended range with ST33G1M2 and ST33J2M0 embedded secure element (eSE) and operating system.

By integrating ST’s NFC chipset with the MediaTek mobile platforms, the two partners help mobile OEMs overcome key technical challenges such as antenna design and integration, antenna miniaturisation and bill-of-material optimisation while ensuring interoperability with payment terminals in locations like retailers and transportation hubs. The addition of ST’s technology to MediaTek’s mobile platforms thus demonstrates high contactless performance relative to alternative solutions.

“ST will provide its NFC technology to MediaTek to deliver high contactless performance solutions to OEMs, with a focus on cost and integration optimisation through smaller antennas and reduced bill of materials,” said Marie-France Florentin, group vice president, general manager, Secure Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics. “While ST has for years been providing to customers its own robust NFC and RFID technology, the ST21NFCD is the first device from ST to integrate the market-proven booster technology ST recently acquired.”