Smart-Card Microcontroller Is 100% Reprogrammable

While most smart-card microcontrollers rely on a combination of fixed ROM and EEPROM to store information, the EMTCG96-3G uses a flash memory architecture that is 100% reprogrammable. This allows all data including program updates and new features to be changed as often as necessary. The device is designed on an 8-bit standard 8051 microcontroller core implemented in hardware. This allows it to process instructions four times faster than typical microcode-based 8051 devices. An internal tamper-proof clock runs at up to 30 MHz and offers better security than designs based on an external clock. Additional security features include triple DES encryption algorithms, hardware-protected memory partitioning and tamper notification. The flash memory is partitioned into 64 KB of one-time programmable memory and 32 KB of EEPROM with a minimum of 300 cycles endurance. Development tools include a compiler, link editor, and memory download and emulation platform. It is available in both wafer and packaged forms. EM MICROELECTRONIC-US INC., Colorado Springs, CO. (719) 598-9224.