Renesas 16-bit Smart Card Controller for Financial Industry

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Renesas 16-bit Smart Card Controller for Financial Industry [Copy link]

Renesas Technology Corporation today announced the launch of the AE44C smart card microcontroller, which integrates a high-performance 16-bit CPU core, 18KB EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read-Only Memory), and 128KB mask ROM for smart card applications in the financial sector. Samples will be available in Japan in May 2006.

The AE44C is a member of the AE-4 Series of smart card microcontrollers that integrates the AE-4 16-bit central controller core, which uses an original Renesas Technology architecture.

The features of the AE44C are as follows.

(1) On-chip memory configuration suitable for financial card applications and encryption functions
The on-chip memory configuration is ideal for financial card applications. The 18KB EEPROM and 128KB mask ROM provide the ability to install a general-purpose operating system (OS) and various applications on-chip, and can store large amounts of data for applications such as biometrics. The device also integrates encryption functions required in the financial sector, including an exponential multiplication/division algorithm coprocessor and a coprocessor that supports DES (Data Encryption Standard) encryption. These features enable the implementation of a variety of high-security smart card applications in the financial sector.

(2) Combination of high reliability and excellent cost performance
Using Renesas Technology's mature proprietary MONOS (metal oxide nitride oxide silicon) EEPROM, highly reliable smart cards can be realized. In addition, the use of special EEPROM circuit structure technology effectively improves performance while reducing the cell size, contributing to excellent cost performance.



In order to solve the problem of card counterfeiting, the use of smart cards as credit cards and bank cards is increasing, and there is also a growing demand for multi-application cards that can realize multiple functions with one smart card. In response to these demands, general-purpose operating systems such as Java Card?*1 and MULTOS?*2 that have the ability to execute multiple applications are becoming more widely used, while the size of the entire application is also increasing. Therefore, there has been an urgent need for smart card microcontrollers that support high-speed general-purpose operating system processing and integrate large-capacity on-chip memory, have the ability to store operating systems and applications, and provide high security functions such as preventing card counterfeiting and information tampering.

To meet these market needs, Renesas Technology has developed the AE-4 Series of products that integrate a 16-bit CPU core. Now, the AE-4 Series lineup has been further expanded with the introduction of the AE44C, which was developed for smart cards that require higher functionality in the financial sector and offers excellent cost performance.




The AE44C integrates an AE-4 CPU core with a 16-bit ALU and internal bus width that can operate at a maximum internal operating frequency of 10 MHz.

It uses the same CPU core currently used in the AE-4 Series, making it possible to leverage existing AE-4 Series software assets.

The AE44C also includes a versatile smart card memory configuration suitable for financial cards. The on-chip 18KB EEPROM can install a variety of application software, as well as store large amounts of data. High reliability is achieved by using Renesas Technology's proven proprietary MONOS EEPROM, and the adoption of special circuit structure technology effectively improves performance. In addition, the 128KB mask ROM can store a general-purpose operating system that performs complex processing, and applications and data can be stored in advance without rewriting, helping to fully utilize the capacity of the EEPROM.

The AE44C also includes a coprocessor necessary for encryption in the financial sector. The on-chip AE44C's memory configuration and encryption functions enable a high level of smart card security and reliability.

Like current Renesas Technology products, the E6000 Full Emulator can be used as a development tool.

The AE44C can be supplied in wafer or COT (chip-on-tap) form.