Atmel Introduces a Cost-Optimized Smart Card Reader IC for USB Keyboards

Sept. 13, 2006
AT83C22OK106 was developed in partnership with OMNIKEY(R), a major smart card reader manufacturer

NANTES, France, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the release of the AT83C22OK106, a smart card reader product targeting USB smart card keyboard. The AT83C22OK106 was developed in partnership with OMNIKEY(R), a major smart card reader manufacturer.

The new AT83C22OK106 is an updated and optimized version of the previous AT83C22OK. It includes 8051 core, USB interface, and ISO7816 UART smart card interface, as well as a high-efficiency DC/DC converter. Therefore, it is compliant with the major smart card standards such as EMV & PC/SC. It supports 5 V, 3 V and 1.8 V cards regardless of the input voltage. The AT83C22OK106 is designed to provide a solution for a reader system with only a few additional external components mounted on a single sided PCB.

Arnaud Ruchon, Product Marketing Manager for Smart Card Reader ICs at Atmel stated, "The AT83C22OK106, combined with the state-of-the-art firmware developed by OMNIKEY, is a unique solution for keyboard manufacturers. It allows them to implement a keyboard with smart card functionality in less than two weeks." He added, "Thanks to its optimized size, the AT83C22OK106 allows us to be even more price competitive."

The firmware supports all types of smart cards with high baud rates up to 433 kbits/s with full CCID compatibility and includes BIOS support. Keyboards up to 160 keys using any OEM specific keyboard matrix are supported. Furthermore, the firmware features a common criteria certified secure PIN-entry functionality.

According to Kurt Schmid, Chief Executive Officer from OMNIKEY, "Thanks to its complete set of features and its reduced price, the new version of the AT83C22OK will help to win new smart card reader businesses in the keyboard area. Atmel and OMNIKEY partnership offers the best solutions for the keyboard OEM market."

Pricing and Availability

The AT89RFD-02 reference design kit is available, for $250, to facilitate a PCB design. Included is a reference board, software, and all required documentation.

The AT83C22OK is available now in QFP64 and QFN64 packages. Pricing in 10k unit-quantities is $ 2.60 USD.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You Are(R) and others, are registered trademarks, or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT83C22OK106 product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?PN=AT83C22OK

For further information on smart card readers, go to http://www.atmel.com/products/scr

Press Contacts: Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager -- Microcontrollers Phone: +33 2 40 18 18 87, Email: [email protected] Helen Perlegos, Public Relations -- USA and Asia Pacific Rim, Phone: (+1) 408 487-2963, Email: [email protected] Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager -- Europe Phone: +33 1 30 60 70 68, Fax: + 49 71 31 67 24 23 Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Atmel Corporation

CONTACT: Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager -- Microcontrollers, +33-2-40-18-18-87, or [email protected], or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations -- USA and Asia Pacific Rim, +1-408-487-2963, or [email protected], or Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager -- Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, fax: +49-71-31-67-24-23, or [email protected], all of Atmel Corporation