New boosted NFC tag front end from ams enables secure payment transactions on µSD and µSIM cards

This overcomes the difficulties with using conventional passive load modulation in a µSD or µSIM card, a device with a very small antenna and – in a mobile phone – operating in a harsh environment. The use of an AS3922 AFE provides for tag-to-reader communication at coupling factors one order of magnitude lower than is possible using conventional methods.

The general introduction of the AS3922, which can interface to any Dual Interface Secure Environment, enables the development of a new generation of contactless payments accessories hosted on a µSD, µSIM or SIM card. Mobile phone network operators, banks and others will be able to provide customers with a contactless payment technology card suitable for the many mobile phones that have no NFC (Near Field Communications) capability.

As well as offering Active Boost functionality, the AS3922 also features antenna auto tuning (AAT) technology, Q factor adjustment, and a low-impedance output driver with adjustable output power.

The AS3922 complies with the ISO14443A and B standards for tag emulation, supporting data rates up to 106kb/s. It also supports FeliCa at data rates up to 212kb/s.

The AS3922 provides an Analog Contactless Bridge (ACLB) interface for communication with a secure element and a Digital Secure Environment Interface which supports NFC CLF, DCLB and NFC-WI interfaces.

Mark Dickson, Senior Marketing Manager (Wireless) of ams, said: “Previous SIM or µSD card-based NFC products needed an external booster antenna, which is not user friendly or robust due to its extended antenna. Active Boost technology from ams changes the game because it enables NFC to become a ‘plug and play’ function for any device with a µSD, SD or SIM card slot.”