Reader Definitions API (external)

As part of the Reader Layer, the Reader Definitions API is a foundation module: it exposes neither service interface nor SPI, only the definitions that the other terminal APIs share.

The complete, versioned reference — types, operations, behaviour, diagrams and constraints — is maintained in the Reader Definitions API specification. This page is only a short overview.

What it provides

• Radio-frequency technologies — the RfTechnology enumeration declares the technologies a contactless reader activates during polling, including the mechanism required on iPhone.

• Card types — the CardType enumeration characterises a card as it was detected, combining the transport-protocol level and, where applicable, the product identity.

• A stable dependency — hosting these definitions in their own module lets them evolve, and be reused, without depending on the full Reader API.

Learn more

→ Read the full Reader Definitions API specification