24 October 2008

STM Adds ARM Based Cellular-Phone SIM Card Families

STMicroelectronics (STM), a member of the ARM Connected Community, has debuts two product families for cellular-phone SIM cards, based on ARM technology.

The ST32 and ST33 smart card processor families utilise ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit processor architecture, and its SC300 secure version, combined with large embedded-Flash memory capacities. All the devices use ST’s 90nm embedded Flash technology, delivering the combined benefits of increased capabilities, lower power, competitive price, and smaller chip dimensions, STM said.

The ST32 family uses the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor and contains two devices offering a choice of memory sizes. The ST32F416 and ST32F512 offer 416 Kbytes and 512 Kbytes of embedded Flash, respectively, and address the 128 K and 256 K 2G and 3G markets. STM said there are plans to introduce ST32 devices will be with lower memory densities in the future.

The ST33 family targets the high-end SIM market, which requires the highest level of security. This family is based on the SC300 highly secure version of the ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit core. The ST33F1M, the first product in this range, features 1.2 Mbytes of embedded Flash with 30 Kbytes of RAM, an SWP (Single-Wire Protocol) interface for NFC (Near Field Communication) connectivity, and advanced cryptographic coprocessor (Nescrypt). With its intrinsic security level and wide availability of interfaces, the ST33F1M targets innovative (U)SIM markets such as Mobile Banking and Mobile TV. In addition, the large embedded-Flash memory size available will allow telecom operators to enrich the multimedia content of their (U)SIM cards, STM said.

Both families meet industry standards for SIM card interfaces and communication, including ISO7816-3. In addition, ST33F1M also targets the highest security levels, such as CC-EAL5+ and EMVCo certifications. The devices also support standard power-management features laid down for cellular handsets, and achieve current consumption defined by GSM and ETSI standards.

The ST32F416 and ST32F512 are sampling now, with production availability scheduled for early 2009, STM confirmed. The ST33F1M will begin sampling in February 2009, with volume ramp-up expected in mid 2009, STM said.