Contactless smart cards include an embedded smart card security microcontroller or equivalent intelligence, internal memory and a small antenna, and communicate with a reader via a contactless radio frequency (RF) interface. Contactless smart card technology is used in applications that require protection of personal information and/or provide fast, secure transactions (such as transit fare payment cards, government and corporate IDs, documents such as e-passports and visas, and financial payment cards). Sample applications using contactless smart card technology include.

What is a contactless smart card?

1. U.S. FIPS 201 Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards issued by all federal agencies for employees and contractors;

2. Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration;

3. First Responder Accreditation card (FRAC) issued by the Department of Homeland Security Pilot Division;

4. The new U.S. e-Passport issued by the U.S. Department of State;

Contactless payment cards and devices issued by American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa are currently operating or being installed in contactless transit fare payment systems in cities such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Contactless smart cards securely manage, store and access data on the card, perform on-card functions (e.g., encryption and mutual authentication), and interact intelligently with contactless smart card readers. Contactless smart card technology and applications comply with international standards (ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 7816). Contactless smart card technology can be used in various forms - plastic cards, watches, key fobs, documents and other handheld devices (for example, built into cell phones).