Smart cards

The production technique of smart cards with contact chip modules is identical with the production technique of cards in creditcard quality (multi-layer-cards). Smart cards can be offered as unprinted, white cards (blank cards), or as prefabricated plastic-cards (with imprint of a specific layout).

If a smart card shall be preprinted by offset or screen printing technology, the position of the chip module (according ISO 7816-2) is to be considered while creating the layout, however, not be omitted in no case (quod vide our leaflet layout/ data generation). The assembly of the corresponding chip module takes place after the completion of the laminated plastic-card production.
A hollow space becomes millcut into the plastic-card, into which the chip module is put afterwards. This either happens by means of a heat-activatable glue-system (Hotmelt) under heat- and pressure-effect, or through a reactive cold-glue.

Smart cards with contact modules become contacted by the chipcard reader. These write-/read devices offer small pins which fit the contacts on the card. Via this connection, clock frequency and voltage for the chipcard are afforded. The data is transferred serialized then.

Applications and types of smart cards

Gegenüberstellung von
kontaktbehafteten und kontaktlosen Chipkarten

Maxicard offers printed and unprinted smart cards with miscellaneous chip modules. Among others the subsequently presented, most current modules are listed on the right.

Some chip modules own functions, which improve the security against manipulations of the card data decisively. So, for example, writing-processes can be made only after authentication by means of a MPC (Memory Protection Code). Moreover, areas of the storage can be protected irreversible against further writing processes. With help of this function, areas can be generated on the card, that are only readable and no longer writeable.

Microprocessor smart cards

Microprocessor msart cards are not necessarily distinguishable from pure memory smart cards. Access rights on the storage of these cardtype are grantet and administered by operating systems (e.g. CardOs) and/or user programs.
Processors or crypto-processors and miscellaneous types of storage (RAM / ROM / EEPROM) are integrated in the plastic card as well. These multifunctional smart cards are used, due to their high security level, in security-intensive areas mainly, like for example electronic wallet ("money card"), for electronic signatures or within the application area of telecommunication technologies.

We offer microprocessor-chipcards on enquiry.