SCR Smart Card Reader Controller Core

Implements an interface and controller for communicating between smart cards and host systems using a variety of standard system interfaces.

The SCR supports the ISO/IEC 7816-3:1997(E) and EMV2000 4.0 specifications, which define the electrical signals and transmission protocols for smart cards (also known as integrated circuit cards). It acts as a communication controller, passing data to and from the host system and the smart card. It is fully-featured, and can activate and deactivate cards, perform cold/warm resets, handle ATR response reception, and execute other essential functions.

The SCR consists of the core smart card reader logic with a wrapper for the desired system interface. (AMBA APB and Wishbone interfaces are available; support for other bus interfaces is optional.)

The core is fully synchronous for easier testing and is designed for efficient ASIC or FPGA implementation. It requires, for example, just 6,500 ASIC gates and operates at 300 MHz (TSMC 0.13).

See representative implementation results (each in a new pop-up window):

Applications

Smart cards embed a computer chip in a credit-card sized plastic card, and are gaining global popularity for a variety of applications, including:

• personal identification
• mobile phone personalization
• credit/debit functions
• satellite TV security
• health care records storage
  

Block Diagram

Deliverables

The core is available in ASIC (synthesizable HDL) and FPGA (netlist) forms, and includes everything required for successful implementation:

• HDL RTL source code (ASICs) or post-synthesis EDIF netlist (FPGAs)
• Sophisticated HDL Testbench including external FIFOs, buffers, models of interfaces, and the core
• Simulation script, vectors, expected results, and comparison utility
• Synthesis script (ASICs) or place and route script (FPGAs)
• Comprehensive user documentation, including detailed specifications and a system integration guide