Apartment, Multifamily & Rental Property Access Control
Apartment building access control hardware: anti-clone readers with matched fob sets, QR visitor codes, 4G controllers for rentals and UHF tags for gates.
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HF-170 Compact 13.56 MHz RFID Module with External Antenna Port
Small-footprint 13.56 MHz read/write module that drives your own antenna through a 1.25 mm connector, with TTL, I2C or Wiegand output and Type A, APDU and A/B builds.
- 33.28 × 17.5 mm board with a 4-pin, 1.25 mm pitch socket for an external 13.56 MHz antenna
- Type A, APDU (CPU card) and Type A/B builds, each offered as 5 V and 3.3 V TTL versions
- Reads/writes MIFARE Classic 1K/4K; -MA build adds Ultralight, NTAG and FM1208
- TTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26 or Wiegand 34 output depending on build
- SAM reset, clock and data pins plus two LED lines
- Frequency
- 13.56 MHz
- Protocols
- ISO/IEC 14443A/B
- Interfaces
- TTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26/34
- Antenna
- External, 1.25 mm 4-pin socket
- Power
- 5 V or 3.3 V DC ±5%, < 100 mA
- Dimensions
- 33.28 × 17.5 × 13.5 mm
Reply within 24 hours Tested before dispatch Worldwide shipping
Compact 13.56 MHz RFID Module with External Antenna Port: overview
The HF-170 fits a 13.56 MHz read/write engine onto a 33.28 × 17.5 mm board and moves the antenna off the module. A 4-pin, 1.25 mm pitch socket feeds a separate antenna, so the reading surface can sit behind the front panel of a slim reader, locker door or turnstile head while the electronics go wherever there is room.
Card support follows the same tiers as the larger HF-160. The -M build reads ISO/IEC 14443A UIDs and reads/writes MIFARE Classic 1K/4K and FM11RF08. The -MA build adds Ultralight, NTAG and FM1208 CPU cards plus ISO/IEC 14443A APDU commands, and the -AB build returns UIDs from both Type A and Type B cards. The series datasheet also mentions ISO/IEC 15693 and ICODE, but no 15693 part appears in the current ordering table, so ask before designing around it.
Read distance is rated at up to 50 mm; your antenna design and enclosure set the real figure. Current stays below 100 mA at 5 V or 3.3 V.
Integration notes
Two headers on 2.54 mm pitch carry the signals. J2 has power, ground, I2C SCL/SDA, UART RX/TX and an LED line; J1 has SAM reset, clock and data, a second LED line and a duplicate VCC. The UART runs from 9600 to 115200 bit/s, set by command (115200 default). Wiegand 26 and Wiegand 34 are separate builds of the 5 V -M tier; their data-pin assignment is not shown in the published pin table, so request the wiring sheet with samples. Demo software and an SDK are available.
More features
- Up to 50 mm read distance, set largely by your antenna; under 100 mA
- UART configurable 9600–115200 bit/s; demo software and SDK
HF-170 specifications
RF & credentials
| Operating frequency | 13.56 MHz |
|---|---|
| Protocols (orderable builds) | ISO/IEC 14443A, ISO/IEC 14443B |
| Supported cards | MIFARE Classic 1K (S50), MIFARE Classic 4K (S70), MIFARE Ultralight, NTAG213/215/216, FM11RF08, FM1208 CPU card, ISO/IEC 14443 Type B UIDs (by build) |
| ISO/IEC 15693 / ICODE | Listed in series datasheet; no orderable build at present |
| CPU-card access | ISO/IEC 14443A APDU commands (-MA builds) |
| Read distance | 0–50 mm (depends on antenna, card type and installation) |
| Antenna connection | External antenna, 4-pin 1.25 mm pitch horizontal socket (J3) |
Interfaces
| Data interfaces | TTL UART, I2C, Wiegand 26, Wiegand 34 (by build) |
|---|---|
| UART baud rate | 9600–115200 bit/s, configurable by command (default 115200) |
| SAM interface | Reset, clock and data pins (J1) |
| Indicators | LED1 (J1) and LED2 (J2) |
| Software | Demo software and SDK |
Electrical
| Supply voltage | 5 V DC or 3.3 V DC (±5%), by build |
|---|---|
| Operating current | < 100 mA |
Mechanical & environment
| Connection | 2.54 mm pitch pins (J1 7-pin, J2 8-pin) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33.28 × 17.5 × 13.5 mm (±3 mm) |
| Operating temperature | –10 to +70 °C |
| Storage temperature | –20 to +80 °C |
| Operating humidity | 15–90% RH |
Build matrix
| Variant SKU | Card support | Interface | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF-170-M-T | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08 | TTL UART | 5 V |
| HF-170-M-W34 | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08 | Wiegand 34 | 5 V |
| HF-170-M-W26 | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08 | Wiegand 26 | 5 V |
| HF-170-M-T-3V3 | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, FM11RF08 | TTL UART | 3.3 V |
| HF-170-MA-T | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08, FM1208; ISO14443A APDU commands | TTL UART | 5 V |
| HF-170-MA-T-3V3 | ISO14443A UID; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08, FM1208; ISO14443A APDU commands | TTL UART | 3.3 V |
| HF-170-AB-T | ISO14443A/B UIDs; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08 | TTL UART | 5 V |
| HF-170-AB-T-3V3 | ISO14443A/B UIDs; read/write MIFARE Classic S50/S70, Ultralight, NTAG, FM11RF08 | TTL UART | 3.3 V |
All builds use an external antenna on J3.
Pin definition
| Pin | Signal | Function |
|---|---|---|
| J1-P1 | S-R | SAM reset |
| J1-P2 | CLK | SAM clock |
| J1-P3 | S-D | SAM data |
| J1-P4 | NC | Not connected |
| J1-P5 | LED1 | LED 1 |
| J1-P6 | VCC | Power (same as J2-P1) |
| J1-P7 | NC | Spare |
| J2-P1 | VCC | Power (same as J1-P6) |
| J2-P2 | GND | Ground |
| J2-P3 | SCL | I2C clock |
| J2-P4 | SDA | I2C data |
| J2-P5 | RX | UART receive |
| J2-P6 | TX | UART transmit |
| J2-P7 | NC | Not connected |
| J2-P8 | LED2 | LED 2 |
| J3 | ANT | 4-pin, 1.25 mm pitch antenna socket |
J1 and J2 on 2.54 mm pitch; J3 antenna socket on 1.25 mm pitch.
Specifications can change between production batches. Confirm the current revision with us before placing volume orders.
Ordering options
Quote the SKU that matches your frequency, interface and mounting. Not sure? Send us your controller model and we will pick the variant for you.
| SKU | Configuration | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| HF-170-M-T | ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, TTL UART, 5 V, external antenna | |
| HF-170-M-W34 | ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, Wiegand 34 output, 5 V, external antenna | |
| HF-170-M-W26 | ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, Wiegand 26 output, 5 V, external antenna | |
| HF-170-M-T-3V3 | ISO14443A UID + MIFARE Classic read/write, TTL UART, 3.3 V, external antenna | |
| HF-170-MA-T | ISO14443A with Ultralight/NTAG/FM1208 read/write and APDU commands, TTL UART, 5 V | |
| HF-170-MA-T-3V3 | ISO14443A with Ultralight/NTAG/FM1208 read/write and APDU commands, TTL UART, 3.3 V | |
| HF-170-AB-T | ISO14443A/B UID reading + MIFARE/Ultralight/NTAG read/write, TTL UART, 5 V | |
| HF-170-AB-T-3V3 | ISO14443A/B UID reading + MIFARE/Ultralight/NTAG read/write, TTL UART, 3.3 V |
Where the HF-170 is used
- Slim mullion or turnstile reader heads with the antenna behind the cover and the board further back
- Locker doors where the antenna sits on the door face and the module inside the cabinet
- Membership kiosks that write visit counts to MIFARE Classic sectors
- 3.3 V microcontroller designs that need CPU-card APDU access in a small footprint
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HF-170 FAQ
Does the HF-170 include an antenna?
It is designed for an external antenna on the 4-pin, 1.25 mm pitch J3 socket. The source does not say an antenna ships with the module, so list your antenna needs in the RFQ and we will propose options for your enclosure.
Can it read ISO15693 or ICODE tags?
The series datasheet mentions ISO/IEC 15693, but no ISO15693 build is in the current ordering table. For ICODE in an orderable part, use the HF-160-V-T.
What is the difference between the -M and -MA builds?
Both read ISO14443A UIDs and read/write MIFARE Classic. The -MA build adds read/write of Ultralight, NTAG and FM1208 cards and accepts ISO14443A APDU commands for CPU cards.
Which supply voltages are available?
5 V ±5% for all builds, plus 3.3 V TTL versions of the -M, -MA and -AB tiers. Current draw is below 100 mA.
Before you buy
Related buyer guides
Wiegand vs OSDP vs RS485: Which Reader Interface Should You Specify?
Compare Wiegand, OSDP and RS485 reader interfaces: wiring, cable limits, AES-128 Secure Channel and steps for a compatible access-control migration.
125kHz vs 13.56MHz: Choosing Access Cards and Readers
125 kHz cards are cheap but easy to clone; 13.56 MHz cards add memory and, on DESFire-class chips, AES security. Compare range, chips, security and migration.
Wiegand 26-Bit Format Explained (with a Free Calculator)
Wiegand 26-bit is an even parity bit, 8-bit facility code, 16-bit card number and odd parity bit. Convert card numbers to hex and back with the calculator.
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Get pricing for the HF-170
Send your card type, interface and quantity. You get a quote, lead time and compatibility notes within 24 hours — samples available for most items.