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C&K Smart Card Connectors Designed into Maxim’s PCI-PTS 3.0-approved POS Reference Design

16th December 2010

C&K

ES Admin

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C&K Components, a leading international supplier of tact switches, toggle, rocker and pushbutton switches, and smart card interconnect devices, supplied its CCM APS Series of secure smart card connectors to Maxim Integrated Products, a leader in the secure chip market, for its USIPOS device, which has been recognized as a PCI-PTS 3.0-approved reference design. This new standard, recently passed by the Payment Card Industry Standards Council, further defines security requirements for card-based transactions, and updates include new specifications for point-of-sale (POS) devices.

“When Maxim wanted to design a 3.0-ready POS terminal, its design team needed a secure smart card connector that already met the expected changes to the existing specifications,” said Jean-Michel Bourin, product marketing director, C&K Components. “They chose the CCM APS Series because of its secure design as well as its proven durability in high-usage devices.”

The CCM APS Series’ performance and durability match the rugged and secure performance expected of a Maxim device. This is achieved through design features such as protective mesh on the top surface of the connector and on all three walls, as well as a contact protection device on the front row of contacts. A small contact footprint means there is a smaller (and therefore easier) area to protect, and the area below the connector can house other active or passive components which aid in the protection of the connector in what is normally a vulnerable spot on any connector. The bottom area of the connector is also designed to accept the Maxim security chip, which is then protected by the CCM APS itself as well as its surrounding mesh. This design brings the contacts of the chip and connector closer than any other design, and the shorter vias make the contacts harder to hack.

The smart card connector ensures at least 500,000 card-insertion cycles. The reduced size of the contact base saves PCB space, making the connector more stable during surface mounting, and creates an air gap between the contacts and card entry slot, which reduces the risk of an electrostatic transfer to the PCB. For added reliability, the integrated card end-travel switch, which is normally open, is sealed against dust and grit. The contact area is spooned to reduce the risk of accidental (or deliberate) damage and to optimize the electrical connection with the card.

The CCM APS offers higher performance in a compact, affordable package, making it ideal for Maxim’s PCI-PTS 3.0-approved terminal.