A Smart Card also known as an Integrated Circuit Card (ICC) consists of an embedded microprocessor. Smart cards are generally made of plastic with a small gold plate which is visible on one side. The microprocessor is embedded under this gold plate. A smart card differs from normal Magnetic Stripe cards where in it processes the inputs received and then produces the output respectively. The other advantage is that smart cards are more secure as compared to Magnetic Stripe cards where in the data stored on the magnetic card can be read easily whereas smart cards provide extra security features.
Typical smart card specifications available in the market today are as follows:
- RAM: 4Kb to 8Kb
- EEPROM: 32Kb to 64Kb
- Microprocessor: 8-bit
Smart Cards are mainly used in applications that need high confidentiality of information. Smart cards are more reliable than Magnetic Stripe Cards and can store plenty of information.
The communication with smart cards takes place with a hardware device known as Smart Card Reader. There are basically two modes in which a smart card can communicate with the reader namely:
-
Contact-based:
In this method, the smart card is inserted into the reader and the gold plate makes contact with the interpreter device inside the reader. The card is removed from the reader once the user has finished his/her operations. -
Contact-less:
In this method, the reader and the card communicate with the help of an antenna. You need to get the card closer to the reader and the card will start communicating with the reader.
Cards with dual mode of operations are available wherein you can use the same card with contact-based readers as well as contact less readers.
