Date: 28/02/2012

NFC controller IC ST21NFCA from ST supports all NFC use cases

STMicroelectronics has unveiled Near Field Communications (NFC) controller IC, the ST21NFCA supporting all NFC use cases, and is able to coordinate multiple NFC secure apps stored in several secure locations, such as the SWP-SIM and SWP-microSD Card or Embedded Secure Element. The corresponding NFC software stack, running on the terminal host, supports all Google Android versions, including the latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, and will also be available for forthcoming Microsoft Windows 8 OS.

"Our complete and diversified NFC portfolio now gives us the unique ability to provide a technical answer to all possible NFC business models," said Laurent Degauque, Embedded Security Business Line Manager, Secure Microcontrollers Division, STMicroelectronics. "This will maximize freedom for customers to integrate their chosen selection of applications into a smartphone or any mobile device, and thereby deliver innovative contactless services quickly and easily for end users."

ST's Secure Element product range is based on the Secure ARM SC300 32-bit core, and offers a wide choice of Embedded Flash sizes, ranging from 512Kbytes to 1.2Mbytes; it meets all the latest EMVCo and Common Criteria EAL5+ security certifications.

These Secure Element ICs can be used in all possible form factors, covering SWP-SIM, SWP-MicroSD, Embedded Secure Element, and an advanced System in Package solution that stacks the Secure Element together with the NFC controller.

The entire STMicroelectronics Secure Element portfolio comes with optional support for MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire technologies which allows customers to comply safely with the most popular transportation and ticketing scheme worldwide.

All products mentioned are currently in mass production. The ST21NFCA is available in package options including 4.5 x 4.5mm BGA64 or 5 x 5mm QFN32. The custom System-in-Package with embedded Secure Element is available to special order.