Data transfer from the contactless smart card.Data transfer to the contactless smart card.Energy transfer to the card for powering the integrated circuit (chip).The following four functions describe at a high level the sequence of events that happen when a contactless smart card is brought near a card reader: Once the chip is powered on, a wireless communication protocol is initiated and established between the card and the reader for data transfer. When the card is brought into the electromagnetic field of the reader, the chip in the card is powered on. The contactless smart card contains an antenna embedded within the plastic body of the card (or within a key fob, watch or other document). However, unlike the contact smart card, the power supplied to the card as well as the data exchanged between the card and the reader are achieved without the use of contacts, using magnetic or electromagnetic fields to both power the card as well as to exchange data with the reader. Like contact smart card systems, information is stored on a chip embedded within the contactless smart card. Contactless smart card technology is available in a variety of forms – in plastic cards, watches, key fobs, documents and other handheld devices (e.g., built into mobile phones).Ĭontactless smart card systems are closely related to contact smart card systems. Contactless smart card technology and applications conform to international standards (ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 7816). Contactless transit fare payment systems currently operating or being installed in such cities as Washington, DC, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles.Ĭontactless smart cards have the ability to securely manage, store and provide access to data on the card, perform on-card functions (e.g., encryption and mutual authentication) and interact intelligently with a contactless smart card reader.Contactless payment cards and devices being issued by American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.ePassport being issued by the Department of State The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) being issued by the Transportation Security Administration.FIPS 201 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card being issued by all Federal agencies for employees and contractors Example applications using contactless smart card technology include: Contactless smart card technology is used in applications that need to protect personal information and/or deliver fast, secure transactions, such as transit fare payment cards, government and corporate identification cards, documents such as electronic passports and visas, and financial payment cards. ISO/IEC 7816 Parts 4 and above are used by both contact and contactless smart card applications for security operations and commands for interchange.Ī contactless smart card includes an embedded smart card secure microcontroller or equivalent intelligence, internal memory and a small antenna and communicates with a reader through a contactless radio frequency (RF) interface. ISO/IEC 7816 is the international standard for contact smart cards. This standard operates at 13.56 MHz and includes specifications for the physical characteristics, radio frequency power and signal interface, initialization and anticollision protocols and transmission protocol. ISO/IEC 14443 is the international standard for contactless smart chips and cards that operate (i.e., can be read from or written to) at a distance of less than 10 centimeters (4 inches). What are the ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 7816 standards? Smart card technology conforms to international standards (ISO/IEC 7816 and ISO/IEC 14443) and is available in a variety of form factors, including plastic cards, key fobs, watches, subscriber identification modules used in GSM mobile phones, and USB-based tokens.įor the purposes of this FAQ, “card” is used as the generic term to describe any device in which smart card technology is used. With an embedded microcontroller, smart cards have the unique ability to store large amounts of data, carry out their own on-card functions (e.g., encryption and mutual authentication) and interact intelligently with a smart card reader. The card connects to a reader with direct physical contact or with a remote contactless radio frequency interface. What security capabilities do contactless smart cards support?Ī smart card is a device that includes an embedded integrated circuit that can be either a secure microcontroller or equivalent intelligence with internal memory or a memory chip alone.Is contactless smart card technology the same as RFID technology?.How can smart cards be used to help assure privacy in a biometrics-based system?.Why are smart cards better than other ID token technologies?.How do smart cards help to protect privacy?.What are the ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 7816 standards?.
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