RFID: understanding technologies to choose the right cards

RFID identifies a credential through contactless communication with a reader. Choosing a professional credential requires distinguishing radio frequency, chip family and the functions actually used by the installation.

Main frequencies in the catalogue

Our EM4200 options operate at 125 kHz. The manufacturer describes the EM4200 as a read-only identification chip with a factory-programmed code.

MIFARE Classic, Ultralight and DESFire families operate at 13.56 MHz. They differ in memory organisation, protocols and security mechanisms. RFID also includes other bands such as UHF; UHF readers are not interchangeable with LF or HF readers.

MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire are distinct families

DESFire is part of the MIFARE range. Comparing MIFARE with DESFire without naming a specific family is therefore misleading. Request an exact reference, such as MIFARE Classic 1K or MIFARE DESFire EV3 with the required memory capacity.

NXP’s DESFire EV3 documentation describes mutual authentication, key management and AES encryption. The reader and application must support and correctly configure these functions. Reading only a serial number does not automatically enable those protections.

A migration to DESFire therefore requires more than replacing the cards. Review the readers, software and key management with the installer.

How to choose a suitable credential

Start with the existing system: reader reference, accepted chip, memory requirements and encoding constraints. Then choose the physical format and verify the conditions of use for the complete support.

Our white PVC RFID card page lists available variants. Not every chip is offered in every format: check each product page rather than assuming that a card option also exists in a sticker or wristband.

Before ordering, use our compatibility checklist and validate a representative credential on the actual installation. Standard supports are not automatically enrolled in your system.