1997-05-21 , E/IC-821-260

Philips Semiconductors unveils new family of high-end controllers

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - May 21, 1997 - Philips Semiconductors today announced its new SMART_XA family of controllers, a 16-bit high-end multi-tasking smart card controller family for use in protected downloadable multi-applications. The new architecture offers enhanced functionality that provides increased performance and security. Among the high security applications that can co-exist on a single SMART_XA controller are electronic commerce, network access and pay TV.

The SMART_XA's unique Firewall hardware security system ensures the protection of multiple applications in an open platform card concept. Additionally, its secured access rights to user-defined memory banks allow hardware protected execution of multi-task applications and its totally separated and independent operating modes guarantee that system and application software modules are securely protected from each other.

Recognizing that security is increasingly vital for card applications in open networks, Philips Semiconductors developed an open platform approach for its SMART_XA products with download capabilities that provide access to an on-card high-level language interpreter program (HLL-Interpreter). Such programs translate complex program codes, written in machine independent programming languages such as C or Java, into machine dependent instructions that can be executed by the microcontroller's CPU. In addition, Philips Semiconductors' new Firewall system and additional Exception Sensor circuitry meet the market demands for enhanced hardware and system security; complex software constructs alone are no longer sufficient to achieve a certifiable security level for sensitive applications (see Notes to Editors below.)

Short response times for Public Key Cryptosystems with variable keylengths of more than 2048 bit are supported by an optional new and ultrafast on-chip crypto calculation acceleration unit FAMEX (Fast Accelerator for Modular Exponentiation-eXtended), the ultimate solution for asymmetric crypto algorithm computing. A tamper-proof chip design and layout combined with hard- and software security measures make the SMART_XA the industry's most secure smart card controller.

Security is guaranteed with Philips' unique FabKey procedure and product tracking throughout production and transport to the customer. Batches, wafers or individual dies are programmed during manufacture with a FabKey of up to 32 bytes long that gives them a unique identity. This key is then used as a security identifier which will only allow a specific system house to program the on-chip EEPROM or it can be used as a marker for traceability purposes.

High-Level Language programming for implementation efficiency
SMART_XA also drastically reduces development costs. The register-based 16-bit multi-tasking architecture coupled with a powerful HLL-optimized instruction set provides the solution for today's fast time-to-market requirements. Support for a FLEXible adaptation to changing market requirements is given by simple high-level language application code portability and SMART_XA's memory saving high code density.

Extended application processing performance
SMART_XA's 16-bit code efficiency and mini-computer-like architecture result in performance increases of at least a factor of 30 compared to an 8-bit controller based solution under the same conditions. This means that there is room for additional application-specific software security with excellent response times and other processing tasks. The high-speed I/O-interface - in addition to the standardized ISO/IEC 7816 protocol support - provides fast application download capabilities. An on-chip EEPROM erase/write control provides a fast and secure clock independent (re)programming of application or system codes in a unique page programming mode. The privileged access to all on-chip hardware resources and protected memory banks is the basis for a totally separated and interference-free execution of partitioned application and system programs.

Direct migration from 8-bit to 16-bit system performance
With SMART_XA service providers can now reuse their proven and approved 80C51 software modules through a 1-to-1 source code migration to 16-bit performance and avoid the costs of re-programming or climbing the learning curve. Direct upgrade of existing 8-bit systems, for example from Philips' FACT₅₁ family of smart card controllers to the SMART_XA product can start today using a variety of established XA development tools.

Low-power CMOS technology for portable applications
SMART_XA's extended operating voltage range and power reduction modes are ideal for future mixed supply and portable system applications. Additionally, even greater improvements in product reliability and quality for these I/O-limited Smart Card controller devices is ensured by Philips' novel advanced controlled quiescent current chip test technique (I_DDQ).

Development tools available now
SMART_XA's core architecture is supported by a broad range of third party XA development tools such as emulators, logic analyzers, compilers, assemblers and debuggers which are already available from the leading vendors of development tools.

Company Profile
Philips Semiconductors with its new SMART_XA family of 16-bit and 80C51-based FACT₅₁ family of 8-bit smart card controllers is the leading supplier of high security smart card controller ICs with optional onboard public key data encryption acceleration units for high security applications such as Pay TV, electronic identification and network commerce. These reliable, leading-edge cryptocontrollers are produced under the certified Philips Security Management System (SMS) - which provides security protection throughout manufacture and delivery. Together with other applications such as network access, banking and POS-terminals, more than 3 million cryptocontrollers in total have been supplied to customers, representing a 55 percent share of the total cryptocontroller market.