Contactless SmartCard

Another type of smartcard is the contactless. The contacless Smart Card chip communicates with the card reader through Radio Frequency ID (RFID) induction technology at data rates of 106 to 848 kbit/s. These cards require close proximity to the antenna to complete transaction. They are often used when transactions must be processed quickly or hands-free and it can be used without even removing them from wallet.
The standard for contactless smart card communications is ISO/IEC 14443. The standard defines two types of contactless cards called "A" and "B". This standard defines the communications of the card to the reader at distances up to 10 cm.
There had been proposals for ISO/IEC 14443 types C, D, E, F and G that have been rejected by the International Organization for Standardization.[citation needed] An alternative standard for contactless smart cards is ISO 15693, which allows communications at distances up to 50 cm.
Like smart cards with contacts, contactless cards do not have a battery. Instead, they use a built-in inductor to capture some of the incident radio-frequency interrogation signal, rectify it, and use it to power the card's electronics.
A related contactless technology is RFID (radio frequency identification). In certain cases, it can be used for applications similar to those of contactless smart cards, such as for electronic toll collection. RFID devices usually do not include writeable memory or microcontroller processing capability as contactless smart cards often do.

Communication protocols
The common communication protocol of contactless smartcard are as follows:
Communication protocols Name Description
T=0 Character-level transmission protocol, defined in ISO/IEC 7816-3
T=1 Block-level transmission protocol, defined in ISO/IEC 7816-3
ISO/IEC 14443 APDU transmission via contactless interface, defined in ISO/IEC 14443-4


 

Unique Identifier (UID)

Unique Identifier (UID): All ISO-compliant smart cards are provided with a UID number (a kin to a VIN number on a vehicle). For interoperability purposes, a card's UID is open and available to be read by all compliant readers. Since this unique number is not secured by keys, reading the UID of a smart card is comparable to reading a proximity card, mag stripe card or other technology that utilizes open, unsecured numbers.

Advantages of Contactless Smart Cards

There are a number of advantages to consider when comparing contactless technology to contact smart cards and 125 kHz proximity cards:

1. Convenience: Given the choice, users will virtually always choose contactless over contact technology. Contactless smart card users do not have to worry about where to insert the card, how to insert the card, or how fast to slide the card.

2. Less Maintenance/Warranty: Contactless smart cards require very little wear and tear maintenance because they contain no moving parts and require no points of contact. As a result, most contactless smart cards come with lifetime warranties covering defects and workmanship.

3. Higher Security: Contactless products are uniquely capable of providing optimal transmission security with optional encryption and mutual authentication features. Mutual authentication is a three-way communication process between a card and reader using hashed, encrypted messages to authenticate each other without broadcasting a shared secret key.

4. Large Memory: Contactless cards have a data storage capacity approximately 100 times greater than that of a proximity card. Contactless smart cards can also process information, calculate mathematical formulas and perform other computing functions.

5. Enhanced Privacy: Even large biometric templates can be stored and verified using a single contactless smart card, allowing private information to stay in the possession of the card holder instead of being stored in a data base.

6. Versatile Form Factors: Unlike its contact counterparts, contactless smart communication can utilize a variety of credential technologies. Keychain fobs, watches and even stickers can be used as contactless credentials.

7. Multiple Applications: Carrying a contactless smart card is like carrying many cards in one. A single contactless smart card can manage multiple applications such as access control, payment systems, cashless vending, paring, mass transit, etc. Additional features and applications can be added to a contactless smart card as user needs evolve.

8. Future Protection: Contactless smart technology will no doubt soon replace mag strip and proximity technologies. Choosing contactless products now will avoid the use of obsolete and outdated systems while providing the best avenue for system expandability.

ISO 15693

ISO 15693 is a 13.56 MHz technology referred to as vicinity because it provides greater operational read ranges, making it the preferred choice for many high-traffic locations like access control.

Card Technology Overview (Proximity, Smartcard Contact and contactless)

MIFARE® is a 13.56 MHz contactless technology family of microprocessors developed by Philips. MIFARE is the most common contactless chipset on the market and is used in most applications around the globe. It is an ISO 14443 product that ensures compatibility with future products. Cards can be purchased that contain memory up to 32k bits, a capacity robust enough to process the largest biometric templates while still incorporating other applications.

DESFire® is a high-end chipset in the MIFARE family that is the first chip compliant with the Government Smart Card Interoperability Specification (GSC-IS). The GSC-IS standard was created to ensure the interoperability of contactless and contact smart cards throughout the federal government.

DES Encryption is a strong cryptographic algorithm protecting classified information. It is a public algorithm determined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to be open, inexpensive, widely available and – most of all – very secure.

Triple DES is slower than regular DES but its longer key length and triple encryption process is billions of times more secure. Its advantage over other security algorithms is that it is based on the DES algorithm, making it easy to modify existing software to incorporate triple DES. Triple DES is also public with proven reliability.

my-d® is a 13.56 MHz contactless technology family of microprocessors developed by Infineon Technologies, one of the world's leading semiconductor companies. Its advanced security algorithms also make it a worldwide leader in ISO 15693 contactless technology.

iCLASS® is a proprietary, ISO 15693 compliant, 13.56 MHz contactless product line developed by HID Corporation (an industry-leading card and reader manufacturer).

Contactless Smart Card ISO-14443

ISO 14443 is a four-part contactless standard consisting of physical card characteristics, radio frequency power and signal interference, initialization and anti-collision and transmission protocols.

The operating frequency defined in this standard is 13.56 MHz, providing a read range up to 4 inches (10 cm).

There are two "flavors" of ISO-14443: Type A and Type B. Although originally meant to serve different functions, both Type A and Type B are now microprocessor standards similar in function. However, ISO 14443A is the more commonly used technology, while Type B is used primarily in banking applications.

Due to faster data speeds, 14443 technology is recommended for applications in which extensive amounts of data, such as large biometric templates, need to be transmitted.

Anticipating an increase in data-intensive applications requiring high data rates, the U.S. government recently selected ISO-14443 as its official standard.

Proximity Card

Proximity can refer to ISO14443 or to the older 125 kHz technology traditionally used in access control. 125 kHz proximity is not "smart" technology and is not governed by ISO standards. 125 kHz proximity is typically proprietary, requiring that cards and readers be purchased from the same vendor.

A smart card pinout

Below are the smart card pinout and description

VCC : Power supply input

RST : Either used itself (reset signal supplied from the interface device) or in combination with an internal reset control circuit (optional use by the card). If internal reset is implemented, the voltage supply on Vcc is mandatory

CLK : Clocking or timing signal (optional use by the card).

GND : Ground (reference voltage)

VPP : Programming voltage input (deprecated / optional use by the card)

I/O : Input or Output for serial data to the integrated circuit inside the card.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card