
Infineon offers one-stop-shop for coil-on-module non-contact cards
The core of electronic ID cards (eID) and passports are powerful and robust security solutions. Security chips in “Coil-on-Module” (CoM) packages offer significant advantages here, Infineon asserts. The company’s portfolio now comprises a complete solution for contactless ID documents. The new SLC52 security chip is now available, integrated with the card antenna into a polycarbonate monoblock inlay (Inlam).
Conventional chip packages are welded, soldered or glued to the card antenna. With the CoM package, however, the chip module communicates with the card antenna by radio frequency (RF). A complex mechanical design is no longer necessary, the card itself becomes more robust and production costs are reduced.
CoM packages are already used for numerous payment and eID cards, which function both contact-based and contactless (dual interface). CoM technology also, Infineon says, offers significant advantages for purely contactless eID cards and passports. They can enable a flexible card layout with thinnest-available module, measuring only 125 µm for improved card design and less rigid passports; they offer improved robustness for documents with ten years validity thanks to elimination of weak points through electro-mechanical card antenna connection; and a singl source simplifies supply chains.
Multi-application cards combine several applications and support new business models. Multifunctional eIDs and sovereign ID documents are for example in high demand in areas with relatively poor banking infrastructure in Africa and Latin America: thus, citizens there can also use their ID card for financial transactions.
However, multi-application cards require more storage capacity and special security structures when it comes to the chip solution. Infineon’s SLC52 security chip is particularly powerful and versatile with up to 700 kB of memory, Integrity Guard and an advanced chip architecture. It forms the solid foundation of the new and complete contactless card solution.
Infineon: www.infineon.com/CoM
