ABRIDGED DATA SHEET
MAXQ1741
DeepCover Secure Microcontroller for
Magnetic Card Reading
General Description
DeepCover™ embedded security solutions cloak sensi-
tive data under multiple layers of advanced physical
security to provide the most secure key storage possible.
The DeepCover Secure Microcontroller (MAXQ1741) is
a low-power microcontroller that integrates a triple-track
magnetic stripe reader interface, an I
2
C interface, two
SPI interfaces, and one universal synchronous/asynchro-
nous receiver-transmitter (USART) interface. Security
features include an AES encryption engine, a true hard-
ware random-number generator, voltage-attack sensors,
and a self-destruct input pin. A single-cycle 16-bit RISC
MAXQ
M
CPU powers the device. It provides a high level
of security for the magnetic stripe reader by placing an
ultra-secure microcontroller with high-speed hardware
encryption inside the magnetic card reader head.
The device provides 16KB of flash memory, 1KB of fast-
wipe nonvolatile SRAM (NV SRAM), and 128 bytes of
data NV SRAM that instantaneously zeroizes its contents
when a tamper is detected. The 128 bytes can be used
as data RAM or working RAM for the AES. The fast-wipe
feature ensures that any data in the 1KB of memory is
destroyed before any application software can access it.
Factory programming of a unique 64-bit serial number,
and/or customer secret key(s), is available upon request.
The microcontroller runs within a wide 1.7V to 3.6V oper-
ating range. User-application firmware interfaces with the
triple-track magnetic stripe interface. Reference software
supports the reading of cards adhering to ISO 7811, ISO
7812, and ISO 7813. Source code to the reference soft-
ware is available so applications can make adjustments
for custom card formats.
An ultra-low-power stop mode provides the ultimate in
low-power performance. In this mode, only a minimum
amount of circuitry is powered to support detection of
self-destruct events. When the main power supply is
present and the microcontroller is in stop mode, the
device has the option of exiting stop mode when stimulat-
ed by general-purpose port pins or the serial interfaces.
Features
S
Core Functionality
High-Performance, Low-Power, 16-Bit MAXQ20C
RISC Core
6MHz Internal Oscillator (±10%)
Up to 12MHz External Crystal Supported
1.7V to 3.6V Operating Voltage
1-Wire
®
Interface for Debugger and Flash
Programming
Optimized for C-Compiler
S
Security
AES Hardware Accelerators
Hardware True Random-Number Generator
Self-Destruct Input for Tamper Detection
Permanent Loader Lockout Option
Code Scrambling
S
Memory
16KB Flash Memory
1024 Bytes Memory Page Sectors
1000 Erase/Write Cycles per Sector
1152 Bytes Fast-Wipe NV SRAM, 128 Bytes
Usable by Cryptographic Engine
6KB Utility ROM with User-Callable Routines
S
I/O and Peripherals
Triple-Track Magnetic Stripe Head Interface
Two SPI Communication Ports
USART Communication Port
Two 16-Bit Timers
I
2
C Communication Port
Up to 16 General-Purpose I/O Pins
Up to 8 External Interrupt Pins
S
Low Power Consumption
3µA Current in Lowest Power Stop Mode
3.75mA (typ) at 6MHz, 0.8mA (typ) at 1MHz
Divided System Clock Modes Available
S
Additional Peripherals
On-Chip Power-On/Power-Fail Reset
Supply Overvoltage Detection
Programmable Watchdog Timer
Wake-Up Timer
Ordering Information
appears at end of data sheet.
Applications
ATM/POS Terminals
Physical Security/Building Access
DeepCover is a trademark and MAXQ and 1-Wire are registered trademarks of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
For related parts and recommended products to use with this part, refer to:
www.maximintegrated.com/MAXQ1741.related
Note:
Some revisions of this device may incorporate deviations from published specifications known as errata. Multiple revisions of any device may
be simultaneously available through various sales channels. For information about device errata, go to:
www.maximintegrated.com/errata.
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim Integrated’s website at www.maximintegrated.com.
19-6564; Rev 0; 12/12
ABRIDGED DATA SHEET
MAXQ1741
DeepCover Secure Microcontroller for
Magnetic Card Reading
Block Diagram
Microprocessor
The MAXQ20C core supports the Harvard memory archi-
tecture with separate 16-bit program and data address
buses. A fixed 16-bit instruction word is standard, but
data can be arranged in 8 or 16 bits. The MAXQ core is
implemented as a pipelined processor with performance
approaching 1MIPS per MHz. The 16-bit data path is
implemented around register modules, and each register
module contributes specific functions to the core. The
accumulator module consists of sixteen 16-bit registers
and is tightly coupled with the arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
Program flow is supported by a configurable soft stack.
Execution of instructions is triggered by data transfer
between functional register modules, or between a func-
tional register module and memory. Since data move-
ment involves only source and destination modules,
circuit switching activities are limited to active modules
only. For power-conscious applications, this approach
localizes power dissipation and minimizes switching
noise. The modular architecture also provides a maxi-
mum of flexibility and reusability that are important for a
microprocessor used in embedded applications.
The MAXQ instruction set is highly orthogonal. All arith-
metic and logical operations can use any register in
conjunction with the accumulator. Data movement is sup-
ported from any register to any other register. Memory
is accessed through specific data pointer registers with
auto increment/decrement support.
16KB FLASH MEMORY
WAKE-UP
TIMER
SELF-
DESTRUCT
INPUT
USART
AES
ENCRYPTION
ENGINE
RANDOM-
NUMBER
GENERATOR
1024B FAST-ERASE
DATA NV SRAM
256B FAST-WIPE
DATA/AES NV SRAM
6KB UTILITY ROM
MAXQ RISC
CPU
WATCHDOG TIMER
INTERNAL
VOLTAGE
6MHz
MONITOR/
OSCILLATOR REGULATOR
GND +1.7V TO +3.6V
16-BIT TIMER
16-BIT TIMER
I
2
C
1-Wire
INTERFACE
3-TRACK
MAG STRIPE
INTERFACE
SPI
SPI
GPIO
UP TO 16
MAXQ1741
Detailed Description
The MAXQ1741 is a MAXQ20C-based microcontroller
intended for integration into magnetic card readers. It
can be interfaced directly to a 3-track magnetic card
reader head, allowing security features to be added to a
POS or ATM card reader right at the machine/card inter-
face. Encryption is provided by a hardware AES engine.
Security features include a self-destruct input for tamper
detection, code scrambling, and fast-wiping of the NV
SRAM in the event of a tamper detection and supply-
rail monitoring for overvoltage conditions. A 16KB flash
memory provides nonvolatile storage for user programs
and other static, nonvolatile data.
The device provides 1KB of fast-wipe NV SRAM and 128
bytes of data NV SRAM, which instantaneously zeroizes
its contents when a tamper is detected. The 128 bytes
can be used as data RAM or working RAM for the AES.
The fast-wipe feature ensures that any data in the 1KB of
memory is destroyed before any application software can
access it. Communication peripherals include a hard-
ware I
2
C, a hardware USART, and two hardware SPIs.
A 1-Wire port is available for system programming and
application debugging.
Memory
The microcontroller incorporates several memory types:
• 16KB flash memory
• 1152 bytes fast-wipe NV SRAM
• 128 bytes of instantaneous zeroization NV SRAM
• 6KB utility ROM
• RAM-based software stack
The NV SRAM is cleared by a DRS event. The 128-byte
memory can be used as general-purpose memory if the
AES function is not in use. Starting the AES engine invali-
dates data stored in this memory.
Maxim Integrated
9
ABRIDGED DATA SHEET
MAXQ1741
DeepCover Secure Microcontroller for
Magnetic Card Reading
Additional Documentation
Designers must have the following documents to fully use
all the features of this device. This data sheet contains
pin descriptions, feature overviews, and electrical speci-
fications. Errata sheets contain deviations from published
specifications. The user’s guides offer detailed informa-
tion about device features and operation.
• This MAXQ1741 data sheet, which contains electrical/
timing specifications and pin descriptions.
• The revision-specific MAXQ1741 errata sheet.
• The MAXQ174X
User’s Guide,
which contains detailed
information on core features and operation, including
programming.
Development and
Technical Support
A variety of highly versatile, affordably-priced develop-
ment tools for this microcontroller are available from
Maxim and third-party suppliers, including:
• Compilers
• In-circuit emulators
• Integrated development environments (IDEs)
A partial list of development tool vendors can be found at
www.maximintegrated.com/MAXQ_tools.
For technical support, go to
https://support.maximinte-
grated.com/micro.
Ordering Information
PART
MAXQ1741-FBX+
MAXQ1741A-FBX+
MAXQ1741-DNS+
MAXQ1741A-DNS+
TEMP RANGE
-40NC to +85NC
-40NC to +85NC
-40NC to +85NC
-40NC to +85NC
OPERATING
VOLTAGE (V)
1.70 to 3.6
1.70 to 3.6
1.70 to 3.6
1.70 to 3.6
FLASH
MEMORY (KB)
16
16
16
16
DATA
MEMORY (KB)
1
1
1
1
TYP HEAD
INDUCTANCE
High
Low
High
Low
PIN-
PACKAGE
28 TQFN-EP*
28 TQFN-EP*
Bare die
Bare die
Note:
Refer to
MAXQ174X User’s Guide
for more details.
+Denotes
a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
*EP
= Exposed pad.
Package Information
For the latest package outline information and land patterns (footprints), go to
www.maximintegrated.com/packages.
Note that a
“+”, “#”, or “-” in the package code indicates RoHS status only. Package drawings may show a different suffix character, but the
drawing pertains to the package regardless of RoHS status.
PACKAGE TYPE
28 TQFN-EP
PACKAGE CODE
T2844+1
OUTLINE NO.
21-0139
LAND PATTERN NO.
90-0035
Note to readers:
This document is an abridged version of the full data sheet. To request the full data sheet, go to
www.maximintegrated.com/MAXQ1741
and click on
Request Full Data Sheet.
Maxim Integrated
21