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Samsung Electronics has announced what it claims is the industry's first 90nm dual-interface smartcard IC certified with evaluation assurance level of 5+ (EAL5+) from the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation. The new smartcard chip with embedded EEPROM, S3CT9KW, is designed for use in security identification documents, such as e-Passports (also known as biometric passports), and national identification cards or drivers' licenses.

The 90nm S3CT9KW features advances in its integrated RF and crypto capabilities to make the new solution suitable for finance, security and identification applications, the vendor said. The new chip provides over 25% higher RF sensitivity and two folder faster encryption speeds in RSA and ECC algorithms.

For enhanced encryption features, the new smartcard chip incorporates proprietary processors: a Samsung proprietary 16bit SecuCalm processor embedding security features and the Tornado2Mx2 (T2Mx2) crypto-processor for fast data encryption. The S3CT9KW adopts asymmetric cryptogram with RSA and ECC algorithms to provide users with the utmost security support.

The high density 144 kilobyte embedded EEPROM provides sufficient storage capacity for biographic identification information including name, facial data and fingerprints. The new smartcard chip supports contact and contactless (ISO14443 Type A/B) interface for convenient use of identification documents.

Samsung said the new S3CT9KW is available in mass production.