Product category:
Memory Devices and Modules
News Release from: Hitachi Europe | Subject: PIN-SMMC
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 15 March 2002
Memory card features PIN security
Yesterday at CeBIT Hitachi released its PIN Secure MultiMediaCard (PIN-SMMC), the industry's first Flash card with a user authentication function.
Yesterday at CeBIT Hitachi released its PIN Secure MultiMediaCard (PIN-SMMC), the industry's first Flash card with a user authentication function The card uses a personal identification number (PIN) and can be used as a secure recording media for personal or confidential information in portable information devices such as mobile phones, laptop PCs and digital cameras
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 16 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
MCUs have a huge 32Kbyte of RAM on-chip
Hitachi Europe has announced the immediate availability of a new series of 16bit microcontrollers featuring 32Kbyte on-chip RAM - the first in the industry to do so.
Most integrated GSM RF transceiver so far
Hitachi has launched its most integrated GSM RF transceiver solution to date.
The card assigns a PIN to recorded data that can only be read when the correct PIN is re-entered.
This PIN is used for getting a licence key to decrypt the encrypted data, which means that confidential information is still protected even if the card or mobile device is lost or stolen.
A setting for the number of times the PIN can be attempted can also be established, making internal analysis of the PIN code extremely difficult.
In addition to the user authentication function, the card features the content protection function of conventional Secure MultiMediaCards.
The function can handle the encrypted data and license key separately, so access to certain information can be restricted by assigning license keys to specific individuals only.
All security functions, PINs, licence keys and other security-related information are stored in a tamper-resistant module (TRM).
This uses tamper-resistant technology to physically and logically prevent internal analysis of or tampering with the semiconductor device, ensuring protection against analysis by a third party if the card or device is lost or stolen.
The card and its software can be used with any device that has a MultiMediaCard slot to enable PIN authentication, data encryption and decryption, and other security functions.
This removes the need for hardware changes to protect data.
The card is upwardly compatible with standard MultiMediaCards, and its external shape including thickness is the same compact size of 32 x 24 x 1.4mm.
Sample shipments of the first 32Mbyte HB28D032PSM2 will start in April 2002 in Japan.
Support tools for the design of PIN authentication application systems, including reference software, encryption/decryption and authentication components, libraries and application interface specifications, will be available from April 2002.
• Hitachi Europe: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
