Cherry GmbH extending its portfolio of smart card readers

Whether mobile communications, consumer electronics, telecommunications or payment services – today's developments are being shaped by Near Field Communication technology (NFC). NFC is also seen as trend-setting technology when it comes to chip manufacture. With the SmartTerminal ST-1275 Cherry GmbH is offering a smart card reader that combines contact / contactless technology in one unit. The company is therefore continuing to gear its activities to Smart Devices and is responding to the growing demand for authentication applications using contactless smart cards. With the SmartTerminal ST-1210 Cherry GmbH is rounding off the lower range of its product portfolio for smart card readers. The compact dimensions, low height and solid stand allow the device to be easily operated with one hand.

Near Field Communication (NFC) in smart card development
NFC technology opens up a wide range of possible applications. In the case of contactless smart card technology NFC is generally used for solutions involving access control to company premises, in the local public transport sector or for e-banking. Together with other leading companies in IT and other key sectors Cherry GmbH is a member of the NFC Forum, a non-profitmaking industry association, helping to drive forward the introduction of NFC technology. "We believe that NFC technology has the potential to establish itself as a uniform worldwide standard for communication between short-range smart devices involving mere centimetres. We have been strengthened in this conviction by the high level of customer interest in our contactless reader systems – be it the SmartTerminal ST-1275 or the SmartBoard TwinG83-6675, each featuring an integrated contact-free card reader.

We also want to drive forward the integration of NFC technology in input devices or readers made by Cherry GmbH in coming years," commented Dietmar Rensch, Product Marketing Manager at Cherry GmbH.

SmartTerminal ST-1275: a double pack of contact and contactless technology
SmartTerminal ST-1210: compact dimensions and solid stand for easy one-handed operation

As a combination of contact/contactless technology in one device, the SmartTerminal ST-1275 from Cherry GmbH is perfect for reading smart cards involving different card applications. For example, a company ID card could offer access to its premises and simultaneously permit authentication at the user's PC. The ST-1275 from Cherry GmbH works with ISO 14443 A and B smart cards. The USB 2.0 smart card reader features a PC/SC-compatible interface and satisfies the relevant security standards.

The SmartTerminal ST-1210 is used in both the B2B and B2C sector. The reader is suitable for e-ID Card applications, for example. In Spain and Belgium the electronic ID card has already been introduced, with a retail version of the ST-1210 being launched in May. Users authenticate themselves at the government agency responsible and can then submit a tax declaration or other applications and forms with a digital signature using the SmartTerminal. The SmartTerminal ST-1210 satisfies the relevant security standards and is designed to read all ISO 7816 processor and memory cards.