/> The RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X retain the capabilities of Renesas’ widely adopted AE45X and AE45X1, but deliver approximately five times the processing performance with a maximum operating frequency of 20 MHz, while adding multifunctionality and enhanced security.

The RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X provide dual interface support for contact/contactless communication that betters that of Renesas’ previous dual interface products, the AE45X and AE45X1. The supported contactless interfaces are ISO 14443 Type-A/Type-B, which has been field proven in financial, ID, and transportation applications, and FeliCa. (The AE45X and AE45X1 supported ISO 14443 Type-B or FeliCa only.) Contactless interface selection can be accomplished by either software-based communication type selection or by a hardware-based automatic interface switching function that detects the interface type based on the signal from the reader. This ensures flexible support for the contactless interfaces used in many fields and regions. Another function monitors power from the reader and optimizes the processing speed accordingly, thereby improving the contactless communication characteristics and performance.

MIFARE is the most widely used communication technology for contactless smart cards in transport ticketing, ID, and access control applications. The RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X support MIFARE Plus S as the initial support for MIFARE Plus (Memory size: 2KB and 4KB), which is compatible with conventional MIFARE products and enhances security through the implementation of AES. In the future support will be added for MIFARE Plus X, which fully implements the MIFARE Plus standard specification. RS-4 dual interface cards incorporating the RS44X, RS45X, or RS46X can be used within the existing MIFARE infrastructure.

The encryption processing functions of the RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X comprise a triple DES coprocessor that is an improved version of the DES (Data Encryption Standard) coprocessors used in the AE45X and AE45X1, a modular multiplication coprocessor for RSA encryption, and a newly added AES coprocessor. This enables sophisticated encryption processing to be performed at high speed. On-chip peripheral functions that contribute to enhanced security include advanced security technologies such as a pseudorandom number generator that can rapidly generate random numbers as an effective security measure in the OS and an on-chip memory data checking function to combat optical fault induction attacks.

The differences between these three devices are the on-chip EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) size and embedded mask ROM size. The RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X incorporate 18K, 36K and 72K byte EEPROM, respectively.

In recent years, the use of smart card technology has been increasing to prevent problems such as forgery and data leaks in applications including financial services cards such as credit cards and debit cards, passports, national identity cards, health insurance cards, driver’s licenses, and other ID cards. Demand for stronger security measures is growing. At the same time, the market for contactless smart cards has been expanding for applications such as micro-payments, transport ticketing, and access control, as awareness of the ease-of-use of contactless cards grows. Demand is growing for a variety communications types for different applications and regions in order to provide enhanced convenience.

As a result, the secure MCUs used in smart cards are now expected to provide multi-interface support for a variety of communications types in addition to the advanced functionality and high performance necessary for high-level security functions.

There is also increasing demand in security-related markets for products and systems with security certification from third-party organizations. In the past, Renesas Technology has obtained comprehensive certification for not only its MCU products but also its design and manufacturing processes under the Common Criteria (CC)*6 information technology security evaluation standard. The RS44X, RS45X, and RS46X are expected to receive a security assurance level of EAL5+ under the latest version of CC.

Development tools include the High-performance Embedded Workshop, Renesas Technology’s standard development environment, as a user interface that allows customers efficiently to perform tasks from program development through debugging by using familiar procedures they have used in the past. In addition, the E100 is available as a full-spec emulator that combines advanced functions and low price. The available shipping formats are wafer and chip on tape (COT).

Renesas Technology will continue to develop secure MCU products that match the trends and requirements of the security market and to further extend the RS-4 Series lineup for financial and ID applications.