The announcement concerns the EMTG30 and EMTG56, a family of Flash memory-based smart card ICs designed for use in SIM cards for low-end mobile telephony.
The EMTG30/56 are compatible with the ISO7816-3 Integrated Circuit Card
(smart card) specification. Memory flexibility is a key advantage of the EMTG30/56,
which contains 31KB and 57KB, respectively, of pure Flash memory.
The EMTG30/56 feature a high-performance 8-bit market standard 8051 microcontroller
core that is implemented in hardware, allowing it to process instructions four
times faster per clock cycle than typical microcode-based 8051 core designs.
An internal tamper-proof clock operates at up to 30MHz and provides better
security than designs that require an external clock. Security is also enhanced
by the EMTG30/56's built-in analog, hardware-protected memory partitioning
and tamper notification.
Most smart card ICs rely on a combination of ROM and EEPROM. In such smart
cards, the operating system (OS) and main applications are permanently stored
once in the ROM where they cannot be modified. Data, personal information and
other applications data are stored in the EEPROM so that they can be modified.
Since the ROM portion can only be programmed once, it is typically filled with
as many applications as possible, leaving less memory space available for variable
user data, program updates and new features. Unlike these smart cards, the
EMTG30 and EMTG56 have a memory architecture that is 100% re-programmable.
This provides more flexibility for the manufacturer, dealer or end user to
reconfigure the operating system and applications.
The EMTG30's Flash memory structure is only one section of 31KB General
Purpose NVM organized in 248 pages of 128-byte. For the EMTG56, the GPNVM is
organized in 448 pages of 128-byte. They have a minimum guaranteed endurance
of 100k cycles. This memory provides hardware-secured, tamper-proof storage
for program memory and security information. Memory dedicated to application
software and user data can be configured at the last minute, so smart card
providers can reduce inventory, simplify logistics, reduce costs and accelerate
time-to-market. The EMTG30/56's flexible memory architecture enables low cost
smart cards to interoperate with equipment from different service providers
and regional standards, making them ideal for banking and communications in
developing countries worldwide.
The 8051 microcontroller core is a proven, robust and widely supported
architecture, allowing code re-usability and faster development. The EMTG30/56
are supported by development tools including a compiler, link editor, code
and data download, and Emulation platform that is fully integrated with the
Keil uVision2 development environment. EMTG30/56 Flash memory is using SST
SuperFlash technology.
The EMTG30/56 smart card ICs are available and shipping now from EM Microelectronic
and its authorized distributors. They are available as backlapped and distressed
8-inch wafers down to 180 micrometer thickness, as sawn wafers on frame, and
in packaged 6-pin module form.
(NE Asia Online)