Classification of Smart Cards
About the Smart Card
Smart card technology is an integral part of the world of information technology that users encounter on a day to day basis. They range from bank and cashless payment cards to transit, access control and ID badging cards - providing improved data portability, improved security and convenience.
A smart card is a standard credit card-sized plastic token or PVC card within which a microchip has been embedded. This chip is the engine room of the smart card, and indeed is what makes it ‘smart'.
Memory vs Microprocessor
Smart cards come in two varieties: memory and microprocessor. Memory cards simply store data and can be viewed as a small floppy disk with optional security. A microprocessor card on the other hand, can add, delete and manipulate information in its memory on the card. Similar to a miniature computer, it contains a processor controlled by a card operating system, with the ability to process data onboard as well as carrying small programs capable of local execution.
The main storage area in such cards is normally EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), which - subject to defined security constraints - can have its content updated, and which retains current contents when external power is removed. Newer smart card chips may also have maths co-processors integrated into the microprocessor chip, able to perform quite complex encryption routines relatively quickly.
A smart card is therefore characterised uniquely by its chip, with its ability to store much more data than is held on a magnetic stripe, all within an extremely secure environment. These security features built into smart card chips are amongst the most sophisticated of their type available in the commercial world. Data residing in the chip can be protected against external inspection or alteration, so effectively that the vital secret keys of the cryptographic systems used to protect the integrity and privacy of card-related communications can be held safely against all but the most sophisticated forms of attack. The ingenuity of the cryptographers further supplements the physical security of the chip, ensuring that penetrating one card's security does not compromise an entire card scheme.
Contact vs Contactless
Smart cards have two different types of interfaces: contact and contactless. Contact smart cards are inserted into a smart card reader, making physical contact with the reader. However, contactless smart cards have an antenna embedded inside the card that enables communication with the reader without physical contact. A dual-interface or combi card combines the two interfaces with a very high level of security.
Twin/Hybrid vs Dual Interface/Combi
A twin/hybrid card, sometimes referred to as a hybrid card, is a contactless card (like Mifare 1k for example) with a separate embedded contact chip. These cards are typically used in applications needing separate contact and contactless chip functions, but on the one card. Please speak to us for further information on these products. Examples of products available include - Mifare with - SLExxxx / ST / JAVA / AT24C / MPCOS / STARCOS. Universal Smart Cards has helped a leading contactless supplier embed contact microprocessors.
A dual interface/combi card is a single chip for both contact and contactless applications. This is typically used where applications need to share a single chip for both contact and contactless applications, for example a shared e-purse. We supply the following Combi-Cards:
* Mifare ProX with Java Open Platform - JCOP30/JCOP31/JCOP41
* GemCombi - Mifare Pro with MPCOS
Please contact us for further information on these products.
