MF4SAM3x

MIFARE SAM AV3 secure access module

Rev. 3.1 — 1 July 2023

Product short data sheet

1 General description

The NXP MIFARE SAM AV3 secure hardware solution is the ideal add-on for reader devices offering additional

security services. Supporting DES, TDEA, AES and RSA capabilities, it offers secure storage and secure

communication in a variety of infrastructures.

Unlike other products in the field, MIFARE SAM AV3 has proven interoperability with all of NXP's broad card

and RFID product portfolio, (MIFARE, NTAG DNA, ICODE DNA, UCODE DNA and SmartMX product families),

making it the most versatile and secure SAM solution on the market today.

The MIFARE SAM AV3 is built on NXP’s SmartMX2 P60 secure smart card controller with CC EAL6+

certification. Its software implementation is evaluated and composite certified by the MIFARE Security

Evaluation Scheme. Similar to the hardware CC evaluation, the MIFARE Scheme also evaluates against high

attack potential. Hence, systems using MIFARE SAM AV3 are reassured with the state-of-the-art security

measures adopted by the industry.

Programmable Logic

The MIFARE SAM AV3 is equipped with a new Programmable Logic functionality which allows customers to

flexibly create their business logic on the SAM. This new functionality opens up many new possibilities with the

creation of project-specific customization such as a new key diversification algorithm, a new secure messaging,

or a new secure storage.

X-mode communication

When used in combination with a reader IC supporting innovative "X" features, MIFARE SAM AV3 provides a

significant boost in performance to the reader along with faster communication between reader and module.

The "X" feature is a new way to use the SAM in a system, with SAM connected to the microcontroller and the

reader IC simultaneously.

Secured communication

The connection between the SAM and the reader is performed using security protocols based on either AES

symmetric cryptography or PKI RSA asymmetric cryptography. The protocols comply with the state-of-art

standards and thereby ensure data confidentiality and integrity.