Smartcard combines 32bit core with 1Mbyte of Flash

Sharp's next-generation high-performance 32bit smart card incorporates 1Mbyte of Flash memory.

Sharp's next-generation high-performance 32bit smart card incorporates 1Mbyte of Flash memory.

The new smart card technology is being developed to meet the rapidly growing demand for a "one card" solution that has the ability to store a greater variety of data all within an extremely secure environment.

Applications for these new smart cards include transportation and e-ticketing, retail and banking, security and access control, and intelligent packaging.

"Smart cards based on high-density, reprogrammable Flash memory can be fully programmed at the latest stage of the issuance process.

This provides smart card manufacturers and system integrators with unprecedented flexibility in the capabilities and information stored on the card", said Harald Pietschmann, Product Marketing Manager at Sharp Microelectronics Europe.

"The new 32bit smart card will be capable of holding much more information more securely than most cards currently on the market.

The 32bit solution will also be more than two times faster than the current Sharp 1Mbyte smart card".

For this solution, Sharp has selected a 32bit CPU core for secure data from MIPS Technologies.

This core enables more secure environments with higher security for personal/company information protection and provides enhanced security features for personal authorisations, such as identification cards.

Moreover, various data for multiple applications in Flash memory are protected by a memory management unit that is used as the firewall.

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