NXP Semiconductors announced NTAG X DNA, the company’s new Type 4 secure connected NFC tag. The NTAG X DNA leverages 16KB of highdensity memory, a high data rate and secure unique NFC (SUN) authentication to quickly and easily verify a product or device’s authenticity securely. Designed to combat counterfeits and help manufacturers meet Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements, the NTAG X DNA enables mobile devices to securely transfer data to another device via I2C or an NFC interface. It offers a high-security authentication solution across a wide range of markets, including healthcare, smart home, mobile and gaming accessories and peripherals, and industrial applications.
Why it matters: NFC provides a secure and easy way for consumers to securely verify the authenticity of a product prior to purchase, building brand trust and fighting against counterfeit products. Part of that fight includes the upcoming EU requirement of the use of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) by 2027, which includes a digital record of important information about a product’s composition, origin and lifecycle. The NTAG X DNA makes it easier to meet these new requirements by allowing this information to be securely stored and easy to access.
“Secure connected NFC tags improve the consumer experience, with dual interface functionality that makes device information, authentication and onboarding easily accessible with a single tap,” said Alasdair Ross, Senior Director, NFC IoT Security, NXP. “Compatible with any NFC mobile device, the NTAG X DNA, supported by NXP’s EdgeLock 2GO credential delivery service, offers a highly secure authentication experience across healthcare, smart IoT device, and mobile and gaming applications.”
More details: The NTAG X DNA is NXP’s new Type 4 secure connected NFC tag, with ISO/IEC 14443-4 supporting both NFC and I2C. It supports full device diagnostics through a direct connection to an MCU and allows users to get assistance from the cloud with an NFC-enabled mobile phone. It features 16KB of memory to securely store and access device information for verification and authentication, even without power. This also allows sensitive information stored on the device to be removed, even if the device cannot be powered on, protecting user privacy. The high data rate of 848 kbps allows a seamless user experience and performance improvements compared to previous generations.
The NTAG X DNA is highly secure, with Common Criteria EAL 6+ certification and supporting public key infrastructure (PKI)-based asymmetric cryptography and authentication. The NTAG X DNA is supported by NXP’s EdgeLock 2GO service for UID and certificates delivery, as well as generation of additional certificates.
