ACS ACR1251U NFC Smart Card Reader – 13.56MHz Contactless NFC Reader
1️⃣ Product Positioning
The ACS ACR1251U is a USB contactless NFC smart card reader designed to solve common enterprise challenges such as inconsistent NFC compatibility, limited system interoperability, and security concerns in contactless deployments.
Without a PC/SC-compliant NFC reader, organizations often face unreliable tag recognition, restricted OS support, and increased integration costs in access control, ticketing, and mobile payment systems.
2️⃣ Core Functions & Supported Standards
The ACR1251U operates at 13.56 MHz and delivers stable contactless performance for NFC and RFID applications.
Standards & Protocols
- ISO/IEC 14443 Type A & B
- ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC)
- NFC Forum compliant
- ISO 7816 (SAM interface)
- PC/SC & USB CCID compliant
NFC Operating Modes
- Reader / Writer
- Peer-to-Peer
Supported Card & Tag Types
- MIFARE® Classic / Ultralight / DESFire®
- NTAG series
- NFC Forum Type tags
- FeliCa
Performance Data
- Read/write speed: 106 / 212 / 424 kbps
- Operating distance: up to 50 mm (tag dependent)
- Optimized antenna size: 50 × 40 mm
3️⃣ Security & Enterprise-Grade Capabilities
- PC/SC and CCID compliance for secure system integration
- Integrated ISO 7816 SAM slot (Class A/B/C, T=0/T=1) for secure key storage
- Secure APDU communication for smart card authentication
- Firmware upgrade supported via USB for long-term security maintenance
Designed to meet the requirements of IT managers, system integrators, and security officers.
4️⃣ Interface & System Compatibility
Interface
- USB 2.0 Full Speed (Type-A)
Operating System Support
- Windows® (Desktop & Embedded)
- macOS / Linux / Solaris
- Android™ 3.1 or above (via ACS library)
Development Support
- ACS SDK
- PC/SC & CT-API (via PC/SC wrapper)
- Sample code for UID reading and authentication
5️⃣ Typical Application Scenarios（Problem → Solution）
Designed for enterprise and institutional environments, the ACR1251U is suitable for:
- Smart card authentication systems
- Contactless payment security
- NFC-based access control
- Student ID & campus card systems
- Mobile NFC reader deployments
6️⃣ Authority & Conclusion
With over 20 years of experience, we deliver globally deployed, standards-compliant smart card readers trusted in more than 100 countries.
The ACR1251U complies with CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH, VCCI, ISO standards, ensuring long-term availability, regulatory compliance, and enterprise-grade lifecycle support.
7️⃣ Technical Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Interface | USB 2.0 Full Speed (CCID) |
| NFC Standards | ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 18092 |
| NFC Modes | Reader/Writer, Peer-to-Peer |
| Card Support | MIFARE®, NTAG, NFC Tags, FeliCa |
| Read/Write Speed | 106 / 212 / 424 kbps |
| Operating Distance | Up to 50 mm |
| SAM Slot | 1 × ISO 7816 Class A/B/C |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH, VCCI, WHQL |
| Dimensions | 98 × 65 × 12.8 mm |
| Weight | 81 g |
8️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the ACR1251U a PC/SC compliant reader?
Yes. The ACR1251U is fully PC/SC and USB CCID compliant for enterprise system integration.
Q2: Can it read and write NFC tags used in mobile devices?
Yes. It supports UID and full read/write operations on NFC tags, including NTAG and MIFARE® series.
Q3: Does it support secure applications?
Yes. The built-in SAM slot enables secure key management for authentication and payment systems.
Q4: Is it suitable for access control or school card projects?
Absolutely. It is widely used in education, enterprise access control, and ticketing environments.
