Skip to main content
stst9187
Associate III
January 16, 2026
Solved

ST25R95: can VPS_TX & VPS be different; eg, VPS_TX = 5 V, VPS = 3.3 V ?

  • January 16, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 232 views

Hi,

Can the VPS_TX pin be powered with a voltage different from VPS? Specifically, can you connect VPS_TX to 5 V while VPS is at 3.3 V?

I think it should work, but I would like your confirmation as I couldn't find this information in the datasheet.

Thank you for your support.
Marco

This topic has been closed for replies.
Best answer by Brian TIDAL

Hi Marco,

VPS (also called VPS_main) and VPS_TX are independent power domains. VPS can be 3.3 V, while VPS_TX can be 5 V.

A voltage regulator is likely to be added to the board to provide a 3.3 V power supply. The reduction in power dissipation in the ST25R95 is likely to be compensated by the power dissipation in the regulator.

I draw your attention to the change in differential impedance value between 5 V and 3.3 V: see Zout in Table 52  Reader characteristics in the Data Sheet. This may impact the existing matching circuit. Make sure to verify the matching circuit at 3.3V.

Rgds

BT

1 reply

Brian TIDAL
Technical Moderator
January 16, 2026

Hi Marco,

Could you provide more details about the reason to connect the VPS_TX pin to 5 V? 

See also the following post related to VPS_TX at 5V: https://community.st.com/t5/st25-nfc-rfid-tags-and-readers/using-vps-tx-5v-on-st25r95/td-p/145420.

If you need to increase the reading distance, use the ST25R200 device, which provides higher performance.

Note that the ST25R95 is Not Recommended for New Design (NRND).

Rgds

BT

 

 

In order to give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.
stst9187
stst9187Author
Associate III
January 16, 2026

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your quick reply.

Basically, my customer developed a product that is powered at 5 V (both VPS_TX and VPS). This product has been manufactured for some years, and now they need to develop a new hardware version.

I suggested to the customer to reduce VPS_TX (from 3.3V to 5V) because the power dissipation is too high. I built a prototype and measured a decrease of about 10 % in distance with VPS_TX = 3.3 V.

My intention is to provide both options in the new hardware for backward compatibility. I plan to add two 0 Ω resistors to select whether VPS_TX is connected to 3.3 V or 5 V.

This is the scenario. I look forward to your feedback.

Best regards,
Marco

Brian TIDAL
Brian TIDALBest answer
Technical Moderator
January 16, 2026

Hi Marco,

VPS (also called VPS_main) and VPS_TX are independent power domains. VPS can be 3.3 V, while VPS_TX can be 5 V.

A voltage regulator is likely to be added to the board to provide a 3.3 V power supply. The reduction in power dissipation in the ST25R95 is likely to be compensated by the power dissipation in the regulator.

I draw your attention to the change in differential impedance value between 5 V and 3.3 V: see Zout in Table 52  Reader characteristics in the Data Sheet. This may impact the existing matching circuit. Make sure to verify the matching circuit at 3.3V.

Rgds

BT

In order to give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.