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.