Secure MCUs integrate NFC for IoT applications

1st April 2015

Broadcom

Siobhan O'Gorman

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A family of secure MCUs, which integrate NFC, has been introduced by Broadcom. The BCM58100 family is designed for mPOS terminals, personal computers and other applications, including IoT products.

The MCUs offer the highest level of security to protect sensitive consumer data from threats at the physical and network layer while simplifying system design, reducing footprint and lowering cost for OEMs. BroadSAFE architecture offers tamper protection and encryption as well as secure storage and processing of both card information and biometric user data such as fingerprint, iris, facial templates and more to safeguard against attacks. The BCM58100 MCUs are compliant with the Federal Information Processing Standard and ensure that end products achieve stringent Payment Card Industry and Europay, MasterCard, and Visa certifications for an added layer of security.

Additionally, the MCUs are the industry's first to integrate NFC for tap-to-access, tap-to-pair and tap-to-pay applications in a growing number of products. This allows devices like PCs, home automation products and mPOS terminals to support payment, access and control applications via smartphones in a secure environment. With the global installed base of NFC-enabled smartphones forecast to reach over 2bn by 2018, NFC presents significant opportunities for chip companies, OEMs and developers in a variety of market segments.

"The rapid proliferation of smart devices connected to the internet has led to serious concerns regarding the safety of consumer and business data," said Christopher Moezzi, Senior Director, StrataGX Processor Marketing, Compute & Connectivity, Broadcom. "By delivering premium security and industry leading performance in a power-efficient design, Broadcom's latest secure MCUs continue our leadership in mPOS terminals and extend our reach into small, low-power connected devices."

"We are seeing substantial adoption of NFC-capable devices and expect the global installed base of mPOS terminals to grow to well over 50m units by 2018," commented John Heggestuen, Senior Research Analyst, Business Insider Intelligence. "New developments like Apple Pay will be a significant driver of NFC-enabled payment terminals as well as a major catalyst for mPOS deployments, especially within the small to medium-size retailer segment where the cost effectiveness of mPOS terminals is particularly attractive."

The BCM58100 MCUs are sampling now.