There are several varieties of contact smart cards available. The type suitable for your application depends on the amount of data you require to be held and the level of security needed.

Contact smart cards are split into two major categories: Memory and Microprocessor. Memory cards are like CDs; they hold data but are not intelligent devices. Microprocessor chips are like PCs as they hold data and are intelligent.

PIN Protected Memory Cards:
Applications include fuel cards, vending cards, loyalty applications, electronic coupons, subscriber’s card, electronic purse, membership cards, utility prepayment, identity and variety of protected portable data files.
Examples of these cards include:
SLE4442 - 256 Byte, Pin Protected Write
SLE4428 - 1K Byte, Pin Protected Write
Hybrid plastic card: mifare1k+sle4442, mifare1k+sle4428,EM4102/EM4100+mifare 1k,T5567+SLE4442/4428,T5567+mifare 1k

Free Memory
Uses include non-confidential storage/low security applications, vending, transport, subscriber's card, portable data and identity.

Microprocessor Cards
The multi-application microprocessor card offers increased security for e-purse functions and a higher level of date management features along with EMV functionality if required. Card types provided by UCARD include the Gemalto cards, a full range of Banking and non-banking high security Microprocessor cards.

Java Cards
Java Card refers to a technology that allows small - based applications to be run securely on and similar small memory footprint devices. Multiple applications can be deployed on a single card, and new ones can be added to it even after it has been issued to the end user. Applications written in the Java programming language can be executed securely on cards from different manufacturers.

Contactless smart cards use radio frequency (RF) technology to interact with a reader. Each card has an antenna embedded inside the card that enables communication with the reader without physical contact.

The market for these cards is growing rapidly because of the obvious benefits of ease of use, speed and versatility. UCARD is well placed to help you source these products creating tremendous new opportunities for issuers.

Popular applications are not limited to but include public transport for fare payment, access control, cashless vending, parking, loyalty, electronic purse, gambling, road toll, student, employee IDs in government and corporate environments, e-passports and other secure travel documents, and cards for cashless payment.

UCARD can help with most of the varying classifications of RFID amongst the major silicon providers such as reader IC's from Atmel, EM Microelectronic, Infineon Technologies, LEGIC Identsystems, Microchip, Philips Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics. Classifications include:

Low Frequencies: below 150 kHz (read only):
EM4102, HID, Hi-Tag etc
Smart Contactless Frequency: 13.56 MHz (Multi-Application technology):
Mifare, Legic, Icode etc
Microwave Frequencies: 2.45GHz (Long reading distance):
EM4122, Ucode etc

Please contact us to discuss any of the products in more details including varying form factors (in addition to cards) such as modules, inlays, key-rings, and labels etc.


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