Non-contact cards: functionality and ease of use

Consider the important features and advantages that contactless cards have. Since they are an inseparable part of smart cards, we will start a discussion with them.

Smart Cards

So called plastic cards that have a built-in microchip. The prevalent number of them contains an OS and a microprocessor that protect access to the card, in other words, carry out cryptographic operations: storing operations using keys, user authentication, operations in a trusted environment.

Smart cards are debit and credit cards, travel cards, badges of various organizations, student cards, sim cards, etc.

Types of smart cards

The first classification of smart cards is based on the method of exchange with the reader:

• Contact (ISO 7816): all known cards with chips that do not contain batteries - take the energy of the readers. These include payment cards, SIM cards, subscriptions for payphones.
• Contact with USB: a more "advanced" version of the first type, in which the chip is integrated with a USB reader in a small package.
• Contactless smart cards: a version in which to read information it is necessary to bring the card closer to the reader. "Communication" with the reader occurs with the participation of RFID technology. These cards also do not have a battery, the energy in them is stored by an inductor, which "feeds" the operation of the device. Examples: electronic travel, passes, biometric passports.

The second classification is based on the functional:

• Memory cards: store in itself any amount of information and mechanisms for differentiating access to it - passwords, unique numbers, etc. The most common group is travel, electronic tickets, cards for payphones.
• Intellectual: differ by the presence of a microprocessor and the ability to load work algorithms for it, operate under the operating system, contain a set of certificates. These are SIM cards, electronic visas and passports.

Contactless cards and their features

To paraphrase the foregoing, we can add that this is the general name for contactless mechanisms used in payment systems and access control points.

Their main advantages are as follows:

• Almost zero opportunity for forgery;
• A long period of information storage - up to 10 years;
• Speed of data transfer to the reader - a fraction of seconds;
• Economy - you can rewrite information within 100 thousand times;
• Possibility of long-term operation - the card is less subject to wear due to lack of contacts with the reader.

The standard reader "sees" contactless cards at a distance of up to 15 cm, which allows you not to get the device for payment or control from a bag, pocket or purse. This significantly speeds up the standard operations at the ticket counter and the turnstile (according to estimates, up to 40%).

Also, bank contactless cards are the most versatile, because They are additionally equipped with a chip and a magnetic strip. At the same time, their price is quite acceptable, which explains the wide entry of contactless cards into our everyday life.

Varieties of contactless cards

Non-contact cards also have their own classification:

• Em-marine : the most common non-contact access cards (tags). Inside the plastic base there is an antenna and a proximity chip. Their distinguishing feature is the possibility of reading at a distance of up to 70 cm. They are used as passes to parking lots, parking lots, fitness centers, schools, universities, medical institutions, etc. They take into account the time of employees' stay in the organization, routes of movement of drivers, sales representatives etc.
• MIFARE® : its "core" consists of an antenna, a microchip with a protected memory, a transmitter and a receiver. The data in the card can be stored for up to 10 years. Another feature is a unique individual number that fits into one of the memory sectors - it can be used as an identifier code.

• HID PROXIMITY: a kind of contactless card-passes, working at the widest temperature range. Reading time from them is no more than 0.1 sec. Have a buzzer and a three-color LED for audio and visual information about the result of contact with the reader.

• HID ICLASS: have more sophisticated algorithms of contact with the reader and encryption of data - the transfer of information begins only when the card and the reader exchange special keys. Their difference is that they can store biometric data in their memory , for example, a fingerprint. This allows you to embed the device on closed objects, because the reader compares the information about the print on the card with the finger of the owner HID ICLASS leaning against it.

Non-contact card reader

Readers of contactless cards are devices used to recognize information from contactless cards, key fobs, badges, bracelets, stickers. The overwhelming majority of them only accepts the signal, but there are also types recording data.

Readers are subdivided into near ones - recognizing a map at a distance of up to 10 cm, and distant ones - up to 100 m. The former are used mainly on access control systems, at control points. Far, which, by the way, can receive a signal from several cards at once, are operated at large enterprises, in logistics.