Memory Card (Synchronous)

Embed This Widget

Theme


      
    

Widget powered by . Free, no account required.

Contact

Simple EEPROM-based card without a microprocessor, used for low-cost applications like prepaid phone cards and parking tokens.

Contact | ISO/IEC 7816 | Since 1984

Quick Specs

Contact
Interface Contact
Chip Type Memory
OS None (Memory Card)
EAL Level Not Evaluated
Lifespan 3 years
First Deployed 1984

Full Specifications

Hardware

InterfaceContact
Chip TypeMemory
Operating SystemNone (Memory Card)

Communication

ProtocolSynchronous 2-wire/3-wire
Extended APDU Hayır
Logical Channels1

Security

EAL LevelNot Evaluated
Secure Element Evet
Tamper Resistant Evet
Crypto Coprocessor Evet
Biometric Support Hayır
{# FAQ block + FAQPage JSON-LD. Expects `faq_items` = [{"question", "answer"}]. Native
/ (frontend-gold-standard §1.7): the answer text is in the initial HTML and stays reachable with JavaScript disabled, so crawlers and AI extractors read answer-shaped chunks without depending on Alpine. #}

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right smart card type for my project?

Consider four key factors: interface type (contact, contactless, or dual-interface), security requirements (EAL certification level), application domain (payment, identity, transport), and chip platform (JavaCard, MULTOS, native). For EMV payments, dual-interface cards are now standard. For government eID, EAL5+ certified cards are typically required.

What is the difference between a contact and contactless smart card?

Contact smart cards require physical insertion into a reader and communicate via the ISO 7816 interface (gold contact pads). Contactless cards use radio frequency (ISO 14443) and work within a few centimeters of a reader. Dual-interface cards combine both interfaces on a single chip, offering maximum flexibility.

What does EAL certification mean for smart cards?

EAL (Evaluation Assurance Level) is part of the Common Criteria framework for evaluating IT security. For smart cards, EAL4+ is common for payment cards, while EAL5+ or EAL6+ is required for government identity documents and ePassports. Higher EAL levels indicate more rigorous security testing and formal verification methods.