Atmel Introduces Card Reader Interface For POS and Health Card Reader

Atmel announced the release of the AT83C26, a multiple smart card reader interface device. The AT83C26 is claimed to be the industry’s first multiple analog smart card interface which can physically handle up to 5 smart cards. It powers the smart cards with the appropriate supply voltage and enables data transfer between the host controller and the smart cards. System designers can use a single chip to develop readers requiring multiple cards, thus reducing system size and cost. The AT83C26 is suitable for Point of Sales (POS) Terminals that typically involve one user card and up to 4 SAM cards, and Health Card Readers that require 2 user cards and 1 SAM card.

The device can interface with any host controller featuring an ISO7816 UART such as Atmel ARM 7, ARM9 and ARM SecurCore (AT91SO100). Featuring two DC/DC converters and low drop out regulators to power independently each smart card, the AT83C26 is compliant with the EMV and ISO7816 standards.

For evaluation and development, Atmel offers the AT89STK-09 starter kit that allows to quickly connect the AT83C26 to an existing application or to an ARM demo board (SAM7). Samples are available now in VQFP48 and QFN48 packages. Full production will start in January 2006 with pricing starting at $1.95 each for 10K units.

Source: Atmel

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