MCU helps secure e-Government services

To help authorities stay ahead in the constant battle against electronic security attacks, STMicroelectronics offers the ST23YR80, a MCU for secure identity cards supporting the latest cryptography techniques and offering large memory for biometric data.

ST23YR80, which offers contact and contactless interfaces, complies with the most advanced security smartcard standards and meets the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD), says ST. It is also designed to support secure electronic identity documents such as e-ID and electronic signature. The device is planned to be certified by Q1 09 to Common Criteria EAL5+ version 3.1

ST23YR80 includes a cryptographic co-processor which enables enhanced RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithms. The EAC (extended access control) e-Passport operation, including 38Kbyte of data, will be supported in less than 3.5sec.

Says ST, among the key technical advantages of the ST23YR80 is its ability to automatically detect and choose the appropriate contact or contactless application interface. Additionally, the device includes a unique feature to optimize the operating distance and transaction time by adapting its processor clock speed to the magnetic field of the application reader.

In addition, the IC has 80Kbyte of EEPROM to store extra biometric, 390Kbyte of ROM and 8Kbyte of RAM. Samples are available immediately, and volume production will begin in Q1 09.