Fujitsu, STMicro develop smart card that eliminates RAM

STMicrolectronics' and Fujitsu Ltd's ST19ZR01 contactless smart card IC integrates an FRAM and a ROM, eliminating the need for RAM modules.

Suitable for use in applications such as transport ticketing and personal ID cards, the smart card IC offers the security features of STMicroelectronics' ISO15408-certified ST19 platform. These include a hardware DES accelerator for fast cryptographic operations and built-in security firewalls for the on-chip memories and DES accelerator.

In addition, the ST19ZR01 is also fully compliant with the ISO14443 Type B contactless standard, offering a data transfer capability up to 424Kbps.

The device utilizes Fujitsu's FRAM technology to exhibit R/W times of <200ns as well as low standby current compared to traditional EEPROM technology. The ST19ZR01 incorporates 1.5KB of FRAM memory, which also provides very high data retention reliability in excess of 10 years.

The FRAM cell structure that is currently used in the ST19ZR01 consists of two transistors and two ferroelectric film capacitors. Both companies are aiming to produce a cell design that will feature one transistor and one capacitor to significantly reduce die size and cost.