Atmel sensors offer handset security

The newest member of Atmel Corp.'s FingerChip family of sensors is touted to be the first chip combining fingerprint authentication and state of the art navigation capabilities on an extended (1.8V-3.3V) I/O range.

Fingerprint authentication ensures protection of handsets, personal information and mobile networks, by letting only enrolled users access the device, said Atmel. Any security suite, such as password vault (Single Sign On) or file encryption applications can be implemented, allowing the user to conveniently command all preferred services at the touch of a finger, the company added.

"With this new sensor, we went a big step further by providing intuitive authentication and navigation technology," said Philippe Ruffin, Atmel's Biometrics Marketing Manager for Telecom Applications. "The FingerChip is now enabling deployment of value-added mobile services where strong user authentication is essential."

Low power consumption

The new sensor offers one of the lowest power consumption on the market (4.5mA in acquisition mode, 1.7mA in navigation mode and less than 10?A in stand-by mode). With a visible area of 12-by-1.5mm?, the AT77C105A is targeted at mobile phone manufacturers willing to deploy innovative fingerprint authentication and navigation solutions.

Samples of the AT77C105A and evaluation kits are now available.