Security & Smart Card ICs --Secure RFID: CryptoRF

CryptoRF Reader Chip AT88RF1354, performs all RF communication, packet formatting, decoding, and communication error checking and is based on the ISO/IEC 14443-2 Type B signal modulation scheme and ISO/IEC 14443-3 Type B frame format, used by more than 60% of the vendors of RFID host readers. Data is exchanged half duplex at a 106k bit per second rate. A two-byte CRC_B provides communication error detection capability. The AT88RF1354 can be used with both RFID transponders and contactless smart cards and is compatible with 3.3V and 5V host microcontrollers with two-wire or SPI serial interfaces. The highly integrated reader IC requires fewer external components than competing RFID reader chips, resulting in a lower BOM and is available in the smallest package option obtainable today - a 6mm x 6mm, 36-pin QFN.

To validate the authenticity of a consumable or replaceable item (a.k.a. client) connected to a system (a.k.a. host), there must be some secret information stored in both the client and the host. The CryptoMemory and CryptoRF devices provide a secure location to store this secret data in the client and the CryptoCompanion chip provides a way to securely store this secret in the host.

CryptoCompanion provides plug-and-play host-side cryptographic security for embedded systems. This plug-and-play convenience means that designers do not have to design or test the cryptographic algorithms. The companion chip implements the necessary algorithms and the entire protocol completely in hardware. It's fully tested and guaranteed to work properly with all CryptoMemory/CryptoRF chips.

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Download a brief animated movie that shows how CryptoRF security meets your RF application needs:

Possible Applications:

Development Tools
Atmel offers a comprehensive range of CryptoRF reference designs, and application software that facilitate the implementation of CryptoRF into existing products in applications such as contactless payment, product authentication, patient safety, and patron management.

Royalty Free ISO1443-B RF Interface. Atmel's CryptoRF devices integrate a 13.56 MHz radio based on the ISO 14443-B standard with a range up to 10 cm. CryptoRF is deliverable as modules for creation of RFID cards, complete RFID tags, and thinned wafers.

Dual Authentication Supports Cash-Equivalent Cards
Uniquely, CryptoRF devices allow two completely independent users, each of which has its own separate authentication key to access the same section of the memory. This feature is useful for applications such as cards used in cash-transactions..

Secure Dynamic Mutual Authentication Capability
CryptoRF devices have a 64-bit embedded hardware encryption engine, four sets of non-readable, 64-bit authentication keys, and four sets of non-readable, 64-bit session encryption keys. Rather than using that are easily captured during contactless transactions, CryptoRF devices use the authentication keys, session encryption keys and a random number to generate a unique identity, or "cryptogram", for each transaction. The host reader and the CryptoRF device must both be able to duplicate each other's cryptograms before any data can be accessed or written.

Why use CryptoRF:

, tags, and cards are virtually impossible to copy. These low-cost security devices are ideal for applications that are 1) prone to such as high-value consumer items and software, 2) require a permanent record of the such as pharmaceutical tracking, or 3) use for cash transactions like bus passes, loyalty, or campus cards.

CryptoRF? is the world's first 13.56 MHz RFID devices with a 64-bit embedded cryptographic engine, dual authentication capability, and up to 64 Kbits of , each with up to 16 individually configurable sectors.