13.56 MHz RFID Reference Design Offers a True 64-bit Encryption Engine and Lower Host-side BOM
San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire)
- Royalty-free ISO/IEC 14443-B protocol for passive tags
Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), today announced its Keen+ reference design for the development of secure, 13.56 MHz logic-based, passive RFID, close proximity applications.
The AT88SC-ADK2 Keen+ development kit includes Atmel's Crypto Evaluation Studio tool suite, an application development board, CryptoRF(R) samples in both tag and smart card form, a USB cable, and a quick start guide.
The Crypto Evaluation Studio tool suite has a menu-driven, graphical user interface for CryptoRF configuration and testing, plus development libraries and code examples for host-side cryptographic operations required for secure communication. The application development board includes Atmel's ISO/IEC 14443-B-compliant, AT88RF1354 host-reader chip; an Atmel AVR flash microcontroller; and USB connectivity to PC and power. Schematics and PCB layout are also included.
AT88RF1354 Cuts Host Reader BOM. The AT88RF1354 host reader performs RF communication, packet formatting, decoding, and communication error checking and is based on the royalty-free, ISO/IEC 14443-2 Type B signal modulation scheme and ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type B frame format, used by 60% of the vendors of RFID host readers. Data is exchanged half duplex at a 106k bit per second rate. A two-byte CRC_B provides communication error detection capability. The AT88RF1354 can be used with both RFID transponders or contactless smart cards and is compatible with 3.3V and 5V host microcontrollers with two-wire or SPI serial interfaces.
The highly integrated reader IC requires fewer external components than competing RFID reader chips, resulting in a BOM in the US$2.00 range for a host reader based on this reference design. This is significantly lower than designs using competing RFID reader ICs.
The AT88RF1354 is available in the smallest package option obtainable today -- a 6mm x 6mm, 36-pin QFN.
CryptoRF Devices Offer 64-bit Encryption Engine. Atmel's CryptoRF family is the only 13.56 MHz RFID logic-based transponder with a 64-bit embedded cryptographic engine; four sets of non-readable, 64-bit authentication keys; four sets of non-readable, 64-bit session encryption keys; and up to 64 Kbits of memory. Sixteen individually configurable sectors can be customized to allow different levels of access, including read and write, read-only, and one-time-programmable.
Atmel's CryptoRF transponders have both mutual authentication and, uniquely, a dual authentication capability that allows two completely independent users with separate authentication keys to access the same section of the memory. Because these transponders generate a unique identity for each individual transaction they are an exceptional choice for:
1) multi-use cash transactions (bus passes, vending programs, loyalty
cards)
2) secure building access
3) authenticating consumables for medical, printing and consumer
electronics (glucose strips, cartridges/toner, batteries, headsets and
game accessories)Other RFID solutions use passwords that are easily captured during contactless transactions, allowing them to be hacked, cloned and tampered with using an inexpensive reader. In contrast, each CryptoRF device gets its own unique set of diversified authentication and encryption keys. Fuse bits are blown to permanently lock the security information in the device, guaranteeing it cannot be read. Because the keys are diversified, an authentication key learned from one CryptoRF device will be useless with any other CryptoRF device.
Package options include RFID tags, thinned wafers and modules for smart card applications.
CryptoStudio Development Environment Offers GUI Driven Development.
The Keen+ kit includes a free library of simple API calls that execute the most complex host operations; including building a software model of the host-side cryptographic engine, computing challenges, performing data encryption and decryption, computing encrypted passwords and message authentication codes, and keeping the host model of the cryptographic engine in synchrony with that in the device. The development library is delivered as a highly decoupled binary cryptographic core and a source code interface for easy integration. A two-wire interface connects the daughter board to any existing embedded development environment.
Atmel offers a comprehensive range of CryptoRF reference designs, demonstration kits and application software that facilitate the implementation of CryptoRF into existing products in applications such as contactless payment, product authentication, patient safety, and patron management.
Pricing. Please contact your local Atmel sales office, http://www.atmel.com/contacts/. Atmel's Keen+ RFID Development Kit, including reference designs and software is available now for US$99.95.
Atmel's AT88RF1354 host RFID reader ICs are available in QFN packages now for US$1.07 in quantities of 25,000 units.
Atmel's CryptoRF RFID transponders are available in tag form with prices for the smallest density starting at US$0.40 in quantities of 25,000 units.
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.
(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, CryptoRF(R), and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Other terms and product names may be the trademarks of others.
Information
Atmel's CryptoRF product information may be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/products/secureRF/
Press Contacts
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager - Atmel Corporation
Phone: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharnisch@cso.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.comWeb site: http://www.atmel.com
Contact:
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager, +1-719-540-1723,
sharnisch@cso.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations,
+1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation