Philips takes first MIPS smart card cores

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 13, 2001

Philips Semiconductors has licensed the SmartMIPS architecture and the MIPS32 4KSc smart card core from MIPS Technologies.

Philips Semiconductors has licensed the SmartMIPS architecture and the MIPS32 4KSc smart card core from MIPS Technologies.

The SmartMIPS architecture and MIPS32 4KSc smart card core will further accelerate consumers' adoption of multi-application smart cards.

Combined with Philips Semiconductors' expertise, the new SmartMIPS low-power, high-performance embedded 32bit processor will enable sophisticated applications and higher levels of security to be embedded in the next generation of smart cards, particularly as required by UMTS applications.

With the SmartMIPS architecture and MIPS32 4KSc smart card core, Philips Semiconductors will extend its existing technology portfolio in smart cards.

"This agreement with MIPS Technologies will increase our ability to develop leading-edge smart card technology for emerging applications, which require sophisticated products with greater processing power", said Karsten Ottenberg, vice president, Identification Businesses, at Philips Semiconductors.

"With our expertise in security and low-power design, Philips Semiconductors will offer complete chip solutions for high-performance applications on open operating systems platforms".

"We are delighted that Philips Semiconductors is the first semiconductor manufacturing company to license the SmartMIPS architecture and MIPS32 4KSc smart card core", said Derek Meyer, vice president of world wide field operations at MIPS Technologies.

"After introducing the SmartMIPS products just two months ago, we are extremely pleased to see the rapid industry adoption of this technology.

We believe that expected high demand from consumers for more powerful, secure and 'smarter' mobile platforms will benefit all customers of our smart card solutions".

In the future, smart cards will be the delivery vehicle for personalised applications and services via mobile communications.

User applications in banking, personal information management, secure network access and transport often combined on a single multi-application card will require more secure, powerful and sophisticated card products.

Product designers will demand high flexibility in terms of technology and design methodology.

Philips Semiconductors is able to combine its advanced expertise in the area of security, nonvolatile storage and contactless technology with leading CPU architectures to create advanced products for smart cards needs.