ST16RF42 High Security Contactless Smartcard Microcontroller

SGS-THOMSON has already specified its first product for use in high volume contactless and contact applications and will be presenting the device, the ST16RF42, at Cartes 96. This is a highly secure serial access microcontroller with 16Kbytes of User ROM, 1.5Kbytes of System ROM, 384 bytes of RAM and 2048 bytes of EEPROM. Both the User ROM and the EEPROM can be configured into two sectors, with a user defined Memory Access Control Matrix governing memory accesses between different sectors.

Like all members of the ST16XYZ family, the ST16RF42 includes a variety of built- in sensors and other circuits that protect against attempts to access the internal memory and the devices are designed, manufactured and shipped under rigorous security conditions, ensuring that there are no weak links in the security chain. ST16XYZ devices are built with a highly reliable 0.9 micron CMOS EEPROM technology that features low voltage capability, an EEPROM endurance of 100,000 write/erase cycles, a ten year EEPROM data retention and over 5000V of ESD protection, thereby ensuring safe storage of the card data throughout the lifetime of the card .

The ST16RF42's specifications for contactless applications include 3V operating voltage, 13.56MHz operation, 106kbit/s data transfer and direct connection to the external antenna via a built-in radio frequency (RF) interface circuit. Amplitude modulation is used for transfers from the reader to the card and load modulation for transfers from the card to the reader. In the contact mode, the ST16RF42 supports internal clock frequencies of up to 5MHz and operates over an extended supply range of 2.7V to 5.5V, as well as complying with ISO 7816 standards for contact assignment and serial access.

ST16CF54 Cryptocomputer

Already designed into health cards, electronic purses, pay TV, multimedia and other emerging applications, the ST16CF54 is aimed at those applications where the security requirements mandate the use of cryptographic techniques, especially public key cryptography (PKC). Offering 16Kbytes of user ROM, a system ROM containing an embedded cryptolibrary, 480 bytes of general purpose user RAM and 4Kbytes of partitionable EEPROM, the ST16CF54 is the industry's most advanced cryptographic smartcard IC.

In addition to the usual ST16XYZ on-chip security mechanisms, the ST16CF54 includes two built-in unpredictable number generators and a special Modular Arithmetic Processor (MAP) that enables the special mathematical calculations required for popular Public Key algorithms to be performed at very high speed; examples include Montgomery constant calculation, modular exponentiation and unpredictable number generation, as well as the basic RSA Algorithm functions for secret key generation, RSA authentication and RSA signature. Typically, a 512-bit signature calculation can be performed in less than a quarter of a second, making this one of the industry's fastest cryptoprocessors.

Complementing the sheer performance of the MAP, the ST16CF54's embedded cryptographic firmware library enhances the security of the end product by providing an authenticated software interface. The MAP registers and the full set of primitive functions can be called from the ST16CF54's system ROM, with message and parameter passing via the ST16CF54's RAM.

Among the ST16CF54's important design wins is CLIP, the world's first multi-currency electronic purse, launched by Europay, Europe's leading payment service provider, in June 1996. CLIP can hold multiple foreign currencies and is fully compatible with EMV 96, the specifications for global chip cards and terminals recently agreed by Europay, MasterCard and Visa. CLIP can be loaded from a variety of on-line devices such as ATM machines, telephones, PCs and even point-of-sale terminals and work is under way to extend its field of application to include electronic shopping such as Internet transactions. To meet the demanding security requirements, the well known RSA public key algorithm is used to authenticate transactions and the ST16CF54's MAP ensures that the complex calculations are performed so quickly that there is no delay at the point of payment.

ST16601 High Security Smartcard Microcontroller with ITSEC Security Qualification

Another very successful product that will be highlighted at Cartes 96 is the ST16601, a device offering 6Kbytes of ROM, 128 bytes of RAM and 1Kbyte of EEPROM that is primarily aimed at the fast-growing bank card market. One version of the device, which will be used in French bank cards, recently became the first smartcard IC in the world to be certified to ITSEC level E3 with Strength of Mechanisms (SoM) high. ITSEC (Information Technology Security Evaluation Criteria ) is Europe's official method of evaluating security in computer-based products and systems; E3 is the highest confidence level normally required for commercial applications and SoM high represents the most comprehensive defences against attack .

The particular device certified to ITSEC contained a ROM code developed by CP8 TRANSAC, a member of the Bull Group, and Philips Cartes et Systmes for a specific bank card application but most of the security elements considered in the evaluation are equally applicable to other applications. The successful certification therefore provides independent confirmation of SGS-THOMSON s ability to meet the most demanding security requirements at all levels of the IC design and manufacturing process, from the underlying chip technology to the way in which finished products are shipped to the customer.

ST19CF68 New Smartcard Microcontroller in 0.6 micron technology

Finally, another important new product that will be presented at Cartes 96 is the ST19CF68, the first of a new family, ST19XYZ, that retains the architecture and design philosophy that has made the ST16XYZ range so successful but includes new features that make it even more powerful and flexible. ST19 devices are built with a highly reliable 0.6 micron CMOS EEPROM technology that allows large memory sizes to be offered as well as very fast MAP coprocessors and even custom logic blocks. Among the new ST19 features that allow very high security levels to be attained are a 64 byte block of protected One-Time Programmable memory and the ability to flash erase the entire contents of the RAM and EEPROM areas in response, for example, to an attempt at unauthorised access.

The ST19CF68 exemplifies these benefits, with 24Kbyte of sector combinative User ROM, 960 bytes of RAM and 8Kbytes of sector combinative EEPROM. Memory access is controlled by the MACL (Memory Access Controller), a sophisticated memory manager that partitions each memory and controls read/write/execute/attributes permission. The device operates at up to 10MHz internal clock frequency and the MAP co-processor allows a 512-bit signature to be computed in as little as 35ms and a 1024-bit signature in only 200ms.

Like the ST16CF54, the ST19CF68 includes a firmware crypto-library that is located in its own ROM, leaving the 24Kbytes of User ROM free for the application software. Among the key firmware functions are the MAP interface (sending parameters and reading results), the calculation of Montgomery constants, modular exponentiation (with or without Chinese Remainder Theorem) and the generation of long random numbers, as well as more complex functions such as RSA signatures and full internal key generation for signatures and authentications. This makes a critical contribution to the overall system security as it ensures that the key will never be known outside of the smartcard.

Commenting on SGS-THOMSON's presence at the Cartes 96 show, smartcard marketing manager Jean-Paul Thomasson said that the company offered an unrivaled combination of long term experience and leading edge expertise. SGS-THOMSON has been making smartcard chips from the very beginning of the industry and has accumulated more expertise than any other semiconductor manufacturer in the world. We have the most advanced products, the greatest production expertise and the most comprehensive security philosophy, he said.

"SGS-THOMSON's leadership in non-volatile programmable memories allows us to develop leading edge technologies and implement them fast in our production lines," said Thomasson. "We have responded to the market in 1996 and accomplished a huge increase in manufacturing capacity. This will continue to grow in the years to come."

SGS-THOMSON has today two 150mm sub-micron production lines producing large volumes in Rousset, France and in Agrate, Italy. In 1997, according to the market demand, the company will be ready to add production of Smartcard Microcomputers at one of it's 200mm facilities which is already in full production. Earlier this year SGS-THOMSON announced an it will build a 200mm wafer fab in Rousset, France, which will use 0.35-0.25 micron technology. It is scheduled to start production in 1998 with a priority for smartcard microcomputers and EEPROM memories.

October 1996