Microcontroller Targets Low-Cost Smart-Card Readers

Designed for use in portable smart-card readers, the ST72C411 microcontroller is said to integrate all of the silicon functions necessary to minimize the costs of card reader deployment. These include the microcontroller with ROM flash memory, a LCD driver, I/O, timers, and a dedicated smartcard interface. The only external components required are the battery and a LCD. Selection of major operating conditions is achieved via software, including the smart-card supply voltage of either 3V or 5V. Other features include overload protection and supply-and-reset manager software to ensure reliable behavior during card insertion and removal. The device is supported by the company's new generation ST72 emulator that is based on active probes, which uses the silicon to obtain full emulation coverage, including the analog functions. Pricing for the ST72C411 is $1.70 each/1M.