Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: PCI7x20
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 13 May 2003
Three card trick for CardBus controller
Texas Instruments has developed the industry's first UltraMedia CardBus controller that integrates 1394 (FireWire), Flash Media and smart card functionality.
Texas Instruments has developed the industry's first UltraMedia CardBus controller that integrates 1394 (FireWire), Flash Media and smart card functionality The new PCI7x20, targeted at laptops and small PCs, provides multimedia, security and e-commerce functions with increased speed and convenience
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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This flexibility enables users to switch among Flash media types and/or use smart cards without the hassle or cost of active adapters or external readers.
The PCI7x20 cuts component count in half by combining a dual-socket PC Card controller, smart card controller, FireWire open host controller interface (OHCI), physical layer controller and Flash media controller.
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The new device integrates: two CardBus sockets, each of which supports a smart card for security and e-commerce applications; two Flash media sockets that accommodate multiple popular formats; and two FireWire ports to connect FireWire devices - such as digital still cameras, digital camcorders or MP3 players - to the computer for fast multimedia downloads/uploads.
TI is also releasing the PCI6x20 family of devices that provide the same functionality as the PCI7x20, but without the 1394 functionality.
Incorporating Gemplus' GemCore smart card interface technology, the PCI7x20's two CardBus ports each support a smart card, by using either a passive adapter or the ability to dedicate a smart card socket, enabling secure logon to PCs and networks, as well as encryption of sensitive data.
"Secure logon applications for the PC are becoming an increasing requirement within the corporate notebook market, where they provide safeguards against intellectual property and physical computer theft", said Russell Crane, Product Marketing Manager for Computer Connectivity Solutions at TI.
"By utilisng Gemplus' smart card technology, Texas Instruments provides the highest level of compatibility, performance and security in the industry".
The PCI7x20 conforms to EMV (European MasterCard Visa) 2000 version 4.0, the latest version of a specification developed to ensure interoperability between chip cards and terminals on a global basis, regardless of the manufacturer, financial institution or where the card is used.
EMV-compliance, already a European market requirement, will be used in America to allow e-commerce via smart card-enabled credit cards.
Smart card applications include banking, retail, secure logon, security/ID, health care, and trading cards.
The PCI7x20's PCI-based Flash media controller features a dual channel, master DMA engine that provides unparalleled read/write performance across the supported memory types.
The device, TI's second-generation UltraMedia device, is designed to support the more than 500 million Flash media cards estimated to be shipped by 2005, according to recent research reports.
By providing two separate slots via a three-in-one socket or two dedicated sockets for Memory Stick, Secure Digital and MultiMedia Card formats, the PCI7x20 provides system integrators maximum flexibility as well as solving end users' dilemma of having multiple types of Flash media but a port that supports only one type.
The PCI7x20 also supports the new Memory Stick PROTM format, a new generation of 256Mbyte, 512Mbyte and 1Gbyte memory cards that features high capacity, high-speed data transfer, high-level security, and future expandability.
The PCI7x20's 40MHz clock enables it to take full advantage of the new specification's increased transfer rate.
For 1394 applications, the PCI7x20 provides full support including an OHCI 1.1 1394 link layer and a 1394a 400Mbit/s two-port physical layer.
Software support for CPRM, a technology that allows consumers to make authorised copies of commercial entertainment content that is protected from unauthorised copying, is available.
Software support is also available for SDIO (Secure Digital Input/Output), a standard that allows the SD socket to serve as a memory device and an I/O port for device expansion, giving portable devices additional peripheral and accessory options without increasing size or circuit complexity.
Sampling now, the PCI7x20 is available in two configurations: Flash-only (PCI7420), or smart card and Flash (PCI7620).
A single slot version, the PCI7x10 is available now.
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