Characteristics of contactless cards
Types of contactless chips:
Contactless plastic cards are one of the key elements of RFID objects (RFID-systems). Compared with the popular method of identification by bar code or the information on the magnetic strip, RFID - systems have a number of significant advantages. Object identification is made by a unique numeric code that is stored in the memory chip and emit in the range of the radio waves. Chip is placed directly in the body of a credit card, there and then the antennas through which is received and radio waves. In addition to a unique identification chip may contain protected rewritable memory elements coding, etc. Poll contactless plastic cards automatically using transceiver (reader). The energy required for the formation of the response signal, chip cards are on the radio from the reader.
The main advantages of contactless cards are:
- High reliability and unlimited resource cards (provided there was no need of mechanical contact between the card and reader).
- The high speed communication between the card and reader (of a second).
- The possibility of multiple use (when reading any number of times when ripped to 100 000 times).
- The high reliability of data storage (the information on the card is not subject to external fields and can be stored for up to 10 years).
- Высокая степень защиты от подделок (карточку практически не возможно подделать).
- The high degree of protection against counterfeiting (the card nearly impossible to fake) Mixed-use contactless cards (cards can carry a lot of rewriting and used simultaneously for a number of applications)..
Варианты Options for using contactless cards:
- Electronic access control and staff time companies and organizations.
- System access on different objects (attractions, gyms, elevators, etc.).
- Electronic payment system for the use of different forms of public transport.
- Electronic payment system for services for vehicle owners (calculated at gas stations, parking lots, toll roads, etc.)
- Protection systems and signaling devices.
- Mini payments for goods and services (electronic wallet).
The current RFID systems differ, as a rule, the carrier frequency used by radio signals, modulation type, communication protocol and the amount of information provided on the card.
Currently, there are three main frequency ranges, in which the system operates RFID:
- Low frequency range (up to 150 kHz)
- Mid-frequency range (13.56 MHz)
- High-frequency range (850 - 950 MHz and 2.4 - 5 GHz)
In the low frequency range are widely used cards with chips running at a frequency of 125 kHz and uses a protocol Swiss firm EM-Marin. Compatible with these chips are chips firms Temic, Atmel, Microchip and the Russian firm Angstroms.
For this group of contactless cards is offered by our company contactless cards ISO EM-Marin.
In the mid-range speed of reception / transmission is much higher than in the low frequency. This fact allows the reader to easily distinguish between multiple cards simultaneously in the field of its antenna (antikolizii function), which greatly expands the use of contactless cards. Circuit design for the mid-region has a number of well-known manufacturers. This Philips (technology Mifare), Microchip, Infineon (former company Siemens), and others.
For mid-range, our company offers contactless cards Mifare Standart.
High-frequency range is usually used to identify at large distances (10 - 15 m) of objects moving at speeds up to 200 km / h. Long distance of the high-frequency systems FRID are achieved through the use of high gain antenna and high power readers interrogation signal. In today's market RFID systems transponders (tags) for such systems are production companies and Amtech Micro Desing ASA. Said transponders contained within a transceiver and a plastic card is not currently available.
Rules of operation of contactless cards
Never bend cards by more than 20°, wash detergents, contact with organic solvents, heat above 85°, and other actions that lead to mechanical damage cards..
It is advisable to avoid wearing cards with keys, coins and other hard objects, since this can result in damage to the image on the card and the card itself.