Applications and the Future - Codes: The Guide to Secrecy from Ancient to Modern Times - page 356

are embedded with not only a chip, but also an antenna for the purpose of
sendinga signal to the readingdevice. Typically, a few centimeters of distance
will allow the mechanism to receive the signal and authenticate the card owner
for access to that device. Contact cards are usually employed for access to
secure areas in a business enterprise, for instance, whereas contactless cards are
typically used for mass transit access or for door locks.
Contactless cards use wireless self-powered induction technology, as defined
in the standard, ISO/IEC 14443. The latest use for such a card in mass transit
is the Oyster Card issued in London, England, in January of 2004. The card is
rechargeable, secure since, if lost or stolen, it may be cancelled and reissued; and
it is valid London-wide includingthe “Tube”, Tramlink, DLR (Docklands Light
Railway), and National Rail services across the entire London bus network.
Contactless cards have the benefits of speed of transaction time; convenience;
low maintenance (compared to contact cards); and consumer appeal where key
fobs, rings, or other devices may be used in place of a plastic card. Many upscale
residential areas are lookingat replacinglocks with contactless smart cards in
North America. The fact remains that contacts are the most frequent break-
down points in the electromagnetic system as a result of dirt, and wear on the
mechanism. Contactless cards solve these problems and improve performance
in the balance, so user acceptance will surely increase.
Last, there are cards which combine certain features, called combi-cards
or multifunction cards. This might involve a combination of password, and
biometric such as a fingerprint. Also, there is the possibility of combining both
contact and contactless features in one card.

Physical Properties : The actual body of the card is plastic, which may
be polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The card
itself may contain a signature strip, printed signature, or a cardholder pho-
tograph. Of course, the plastic body will be embossed with the proprietary
graphics such as with Visa or MasterCard. The size of the card is specified by
ISO/IEC 7816-1, namely, 85 . 6 0 . 76 mm. This standard includes defini-

tions of resistance to static electricity, electromagnetic radiation and mechanical
stress, as well as the location of the card's magnetic strip and embossing area.
The dimension and location of the contacts is specified in ISO/IEC 7816-2.
This includes the module , which is the smallest part of the card that is capable
of accommodatinga chip and its contacts. The mechanism for securingthe
module in place on the card is via encasingthem in a resin amalgam, which for
security reasons, should be designed so it cannot be removed without destroying
the circuitry (see page 361).
There are also cards, called mini-cards , which are in size between that of
a regular smart card and its module. These are often used for mass transit
applications, where the size of the cards mimic the size of the magnetic-strip
tickets they replace.

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In the following, Diagrams 9.6 and 9.7 give the placement of the electrical
contacts in a smart card chip, numbered C1-C8, and describe the function of
each.