Project Hub /Security Surveillance & Defense/RFID / NFC Access Systems/DIY Batteryless NFC Business Card

Beginner

ANALOG / DISCRETE

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

DIY Batteryless NFC Business Card

Build a batteryless, programmable NFC smart card using the ST25DV64K-IER6T3 dynamic NFC/RFID tag IC that allows users to share contact details or websites via a simple tap.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
RFID Reader/Writer RC522 SPI S50 with RFID Card and Tag Rs. 190.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: Capacitors
Inductors / Coils / Ferrite

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How It Works

The DIY Batteryless NFC Business Card operates entirely on harvested electromagnetic energy, requiring no internal battery or external power source. At the heart of the system is the integrated PCB spiral antenna (U3), which is designed to couple with the RF field emitted by an active reader device, such as a smartphone or NFC terminal. When brought into proximity with a reader, the alternating magnetic field induces an alternating current in the antenna coil. The circuit uses an ST25DV64K-IER6T3 NFC dynamic tag IC (U1) to harvest this RF energy and convert it into a stable supply voltage. To help smooth out minor fluctuations in the rectified power, a 10µF capacitor (C1, 0805) acts as a local energy reservoir and decoupling filter. Once the internal circuitry of the ST25DV64K-IER6T3 wakes up and powers on, it communicates its stored memory data—such as a URL, contact vCard, or text—back to the reading device via load modulation. Additionally, a red LED (U2, LED0603) paired with a 2.7kΩ current-limiting resistor (R1, 0805) is tied into the harvested power path, providing a visual indicator that sufficient RF energy is being received and that the tag is actively communicating or powering up.

Why Build This

Design a custom, batteryless interactive hardware token suitable for undergraduate engineering demonstrations of passive RFID harvesting and near-field communication protocols.

Implement surface-mount device (SMD) soldering and layout techniques for 0805 passives, TSSOP-8 ICs, and custom PCB spiral antennas.

Create a reusable, programmable professional networking device or secure access credential that interfaces instantly with standard smartphones.

Real-World Application

Professional networking business cards, employee ID badges, secure access tokens, and NFC memory storage devices.

Skills You'll Learn

Passive RF energy harvesting

NFC tag programming and memory management

PCB spiral antenna integration

surface-mount device (SMD) soldering

power decoupling and filtering

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

NFC

RFID

ST25DV64K

ENERGY HARVESTING

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

PCB ANTENNA

SMART CARD

EEPROM

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the card power on if there is no battery?

The card harvests electromagnetic energy directly from the RF field of a nearby smartphone or NFC reader using the onboard PCB spiral antenna and IC.

What is the function of the 10µF capacitor and 2.7kΩ resistor?

The 10µF capacitor helps stabilize and smooth the harvested power, while the 2.7kΩ resistor limits current to the red LED to provide a visual indication when the tag is powered.

Do I need to write any custom software or code to program the card?

No software writing is listed; the ST25DV64K-IER6T3 dynamic tag IC can typically be programmed directly using standard NFC mobile applications or dedicated programming hardware once assembled.

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-01591