1997-04-23 , E/IC-808/260

Capable of computing an RSA signature with a key-length of 1024 bits in less than 400 ms, Philips Semiconductors' P83C858 Crypto Controller is already the world's fastest solution to commercial Smart-Card based public key cryptography (PKC). With the introduction of the P83W858 at Cardtech/Securtech '97 in Orlando, Florida, Philips Semiconductors will be able to offer even higher levels of speed and security for secure transaction handling and user identification applications. This new crypto controller is capable of handling 2048-bit key lengths.

By fabricating the P83W858 in the company's latest 0.6 µm CMOS process, Philips Semiconductors has significantly increased the speed of the chip's FAMEX (Fast Accelerator for Modular Exponentiation - Extended) crypto co-processor. The process also allows the P83W858 to operate over a 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply voltage range - suiting it for use in low-voltage battery-powered portable systems. Fabrication in 0.6 µm CMOS also reduces the die size of the P83W858 to less than 15 mm2, increasing the immunity to die crack due to severe bending of the Smart-Card.

The comprehensive security features built into the P83W858 will make it the world's most secure crypto controller. Batches, wafers or individual dies can be programmed during manufacture with a FabKey up to 32 bytes long that gives them a unique identity. The FabKey data can be used as a security key that will only allow a specific system house to program the on-chip EEPROM, or it can be used as a unique chip identifier for chip traceability purposes. In addition, the P83W858 incorporates low and high voltage sensors on its supply rails and low and high frequency sensors on its clock input that disable the chip when it is forced outside normal operating conditions. This prevents 'hacking' of the data on the chip by forcing the device into an illegal operating state. Other in-built security features include electronic fuses for safeguarded write access control, and clock independent erase/write timing for the onchip EEPROM. Chip reliability has been significantly enhanced by incorporating an IDDQ test method that detects early failures during fabrication by looking for anomalies in the chip's quiescent supply current.

The 20 Kbytes of mask-programmed ROM and 672 bytes of RAM included in the 80C51-based P83W858 provide sufficient memory to implement 2048-bit key-length cryptography algorithms and sophisticated biometrical identification systems (for example, systems that utilise fingerprint or eye-print information). It is also possible to implement a Java interpreter, allowing the P83W858 to execute multiple Java Card applications downloaded into its 8-Kbyte EEPROM.

"Philips Semiconductors has always been number-one in high-security Smart-Card ICs, producing leading-edge solutions such as the P83C852-CORSAIR, P83C858-FAME and now the P83W858-FAMEX crypto controllers." said Izabella Nowotny, Product Marketing Manager for Identification Products at Philips' Hamburg facility where these crypto controllers were developed.

The P83W858 will be deliverable in wafer, module or film-frame carrier form. Samples will be available in June of this year. Like the P83C858, it will be supported by comprehensive development tools, technical support and cryptography libraries. The security management system offered by Philips Semiconductors' Identification & Automotive Product Group has been certified by Deutsche Telekom, and the security of the P83C858 has been approved for all German banks as a leading IC for use in banking cards. Other applications for these world-beating crypto controllers include network access and Pay-TV systems.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. It has also established itself as the world's leading supplier of crypto processors for Smart-Card applications. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.