Date: 23/09/2011

13.56MHz interfaced RFID devices from Maxim for access control, e-payment apps

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced a new line of RFID keys and cards designed for the two-billion-units-per-year automatic identification, access control, and electronic cash (e-cash) markets. Maxim has leveraged its expertise in utilizing its popular 1-Wire secure authentication ICs, which protect intellectual property in embedded systems.

With a 13.56MHz interface, these secure keys are positioned to gain market share because 13.56MHz is becoming the worldwide standard for access control and e-payment applications, according to Maxim. Some regions of the world have already begun deploying this RFID technology for passport and national ID cards.

Maxim says its system integrators are focusing for increased security and authentication techniques to protect assets from efforts to crack, counterfeit, and duplicate cards and credentials because the critical data found inside many of these RF credentials becomes more and more valuable.

Maxim's new RF devices are packaged in a laminated plastic key fob or ISO thin card format and are available in either the ISO 14443B or ISO 15693 HF protocol. Each protocol family offers three products: 64-bit ROM ID only (MAX66000/MAX66100), ROM ID plus 1K-bit EEPROM (MAX66020/MAX66120), or ROM ID plus 1K-bit EEPROM and SHA-1 authentication (MAX66040/MAX66140). Custom form factors are also available.

The MAX66040 and MAX66140 employ the secure hash algorithm (SHA-1), designed by the NSA for protecting a system's critical data without using expensive encryption techniques or an untested, proprietary protocol. SHA-1 is an ISO standard that is publicly available and has been thoroughly tested in the marketplace designed to maintain the integrity of the stored data so that one can verify the authenticity of any credential, explains Maxim.

For more information visit: www.maxim-ic.com